The aim of the proposed AusIMM Geomechanics Society is to represent the professional needs of AusIMM members employed, operating, or interested in geomechanics and related geotechnical activities in the minerals sector. Members of the Geomechanics Society may also be members of other AusIMM Societies. Their interest areas cover all aspects of open pit and underground mining geomechanics, geomechanics relating to the construction and operation of tailings dams, and geomechanics relating to the construction and operation of mine infrastructure, including stockpiles and waste dumps.

Abou is a Chartered Professional with over 15 years in the mining industry, specialising in mining geomechanics. He is best known for his expertise in applying advanced numerical modelling tools for geotechnical design and mine planning. As a consultant, he has worked on studies involving deep and high-stress underground and open pit mines. He has authored more than 20 technical papers or articles, and he is an AusIMM’s chartered professional engineer and registered professional engineer of Queensland. In addition to his mining consulting work, Abou is the founder of Cavroc, a software company which facilitates cutting-edge geotechnical numerical modelling for all geotechnical engineers in an easy and user-friendly platform without the need for specialised skills.

Nick Mitkas is a Lead Mine Design Engineer at Olympic Dam, prior to which he worked as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for number of years. He has spent the past ten years at Olympic Dam, after graduating with an undergraduate degree in Civil/Structural Engineering and Finance. His current work interests include taking on some of the new geotechnically challenging mining blocks in the Southern Mine Area, hoping to develop a sound mining strategy and plan.

Roo is a Geotechnical Engineer with over 17 years of professional Geotechnical experience, he started out in tunnelling, and the last ten years focused on underground geotechnical engineering. He worked in the eastern side of Australia in challenging poor ground conditions. In the last few years, the role with Northern Star Resources (NSR) in WA has presented an opportunity to involve with safe mining methodologies in high-stress conditions.

Robert Urie is a mining engineer with over 23 years’ operational and engineering experience in underground and open pit mining. He has significant experience in the design and development of complex underground mining projects. His expertise includes strategic planning, mine design and scheduling, cut-off grade optimisation, ventilation planning, infrastructure design, cost estimation and financial modelling. Robert has led several large-scale feasibility studies across a range of commodities in underground and open pit mining. He has also completed numerous pre-feasibility and scoping studies in commodities including gold, base metals and nickel. He has completed operational reviews of mining operations in Australia, Africa and South America focusing on the value chain, best practice technical process, and systems and cost review.

My Goal is to share my experiences and knowledge. The most important skill in today's environment is the ability to provide great Leadership. Together with robust Coaching and Mentoring, allowing people to develop to their best abilities. By setting goals and accountabilities we work together to achieve results. "Together we Succeed" My past experiences are from a variety of work locations throughout Australia and International including Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. These include employers and clients that were Owner Miners, Contract Mining, OEM Caterpillar and as a Sole Trader (consultant) The majority of my background has been Management of all aspects for Mining Projects and Maintenance in Hard Rock Surface and Underground Mining. Current role as Product Application Specialist, utilizes all of those experiences to provide customer solutions and to gain the best equipment application possible. Having a wide range of experiences and skills, permitted high levels of Leadership for the development of my previous teams. Setting of clear Accountabilities and Responsibilities together with the correct Coaching and Mentoring, is key to allowing people to grow and mature, this process also applies to equipment application. Understanding the customer's needs and expectations, while reviewing their equipment operating conditions, allows the choice of the best possible solution. My mechanical background provides knowledge and passion to identify Root Cause of Failure or stoppage, to then develop pathways forward towards continuous improvement. Investigation of Incident or Accidents, leads into high level of Risk Assessment and Risk Management. Core Skills, Contract Management, Contract Tendering, Budgeting, Health and Safety, Risk Assessment, Risk Reduction and Management, Coaching Mentoring and Training both Operational and Mechanical, Accident - Incident Investigation, Procedure Reviews Development and Implementation, Maintenance Planning / Scheduling, Procurement, Logistics, Supplier Agreements, Warranty Management and Administration, Equipment and Materials Fit for Purpose review and Audits, Continuous Improvements, Technology and Innovation.

Alex is a mining engineer with 16 years of experience in operational roles and as a consultant. His experience spans underground and open pit mining, with roles including geotechnical engineering, mine production and long term planning. He was a site engineer at the Cannington, Ernest Henry and Mount Isa mines over a 12 year period in various roles from graduate the engineering superintendent. Alex has worked on over 50 different mines across six continents since becoming a consultant four years ago. Alex’s specialises in mining strategy and geotechnical engineering for underground mines, particularly caving operations, and deep and highly seismic mines.

Anne-Marie is an underground specialists in mine planning, ore reserves and technical reviews. A qualified mining engineer with a passion for optimization and improving the value of projects. Her knowledge extends from large ore bodies mining methods through to narrow vein selective mining methods. Anne-Marie enjoys the unique challenges that each project has and applying her knowledge to maximize the value of the project. Anne-Marie gives back to the industry through being a member of the AusIMM organizing committee for the Underground Operators Conference Series. Anne-Marie is a chartered professional member of the Australasia Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).