Professor Chris Anderson

Christopher Anderson (Chris) holds business and academic positions in several countries. He works at the interface of science, technology, community development and business to promote agricultural development in mining communities. In New Zealand he holds the position of Professor in Environmental Science at Massey University, and is the Group Leader Environmental Sciences at the School of Agriculture and Environment as well as the Acting Director of Massey’s FLRC. He is also a Director of the New Zealand company Croesus Projects Ltd. As a result of his international activities he holds the position of Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and at the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Mataram in Indonesia. He leads an active and global research group investigating the interactions of trace elements and contaminants with the environment. His projects study heavy metals, organic pollutants such as dioxin, and essential micronutrients.

Chris completed his PhD at Massey University in New Zealand. During his doctoral research he developed the concept of gold phytomining, and went on to establish the first company in the world offering commercial gold phytomining services (through Croesus Projects Ltd.). Today Chris is involved with phytomining and large scale environmental impact assessment and remediation projects in China, Indonesia as well as NZ. He works with the Government of Indonesia and international donors on the issues of pollution and mining efficiency at artisanal and small-scale gold mines, and leads a significant NZ-led initiative in east Indonesia to increase the production and agribusiness capability of small-scale, generally subsistence farmers (www.ifsca.nz). He actively seeks opportunities for in-country entrepreneurs to create wealth from innovative biomass technologies, and from safe and nutritious foods.

Chris manages an active teaching portfolio to support his research and commercial activities. At Massey University he leads the Environmental Science major of the BSc degree. This programme prepares graduates for careers that will manage the impact of New Zealand’s economic development on the environment. The preparation of skilled graduates for the work force who can critically assess and provide informed commentary on key issues such as water quality, land degradation, soil contamination and land-use suitability is a hallmark of Massey’s Environmental Science and Environmental Management programmes.