The Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) will hold the Seventh International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining (Deep Mining 2014) in Sudbury, September 16 to 18.
The conference will focus on the technical challenges of underground mining at depth as orebodies closer to surface become exhausted.
Deep Mining 2014 will explore geotechnical and logistical issues, as well as best practices and innovations relating to ventilation and cooling.
Previous Deep Mining conferences were held in Perth in 2002, 2007 and 2012, as well as in Johannesburg (2004), Quebec City (2006), and Santiago, Chile (2010).
The conference chair for Deep Mining 2014 is associate professor Marty Hudyma of Laurentian University. Also collaborating in the conference are the University of Toronto and the University of the Witwatersrand.
Confirmed exhibitors include 3M Canada, ESG Solutions, Geobrugg North America, Mine Design Technologies Inc. and Normet Canada Ltd.
The conference will run for three days and feature a technical program that includes presentations by David Counter, senior ground control engineer at GlencoreXstrata, Ray Durrheim of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and Stephen Hardcastle, CANMET Natural Resources Canada.
Technical papers will cover a variety of subjects, including geomechanic risks, energy issues in deep mining, occupational health and safety in deep mines, financial risks, numerical modeling, rock behaviour under high stress, rockburst and seismicity monitoring, ground support, risk assessment and management, ventilation and blasting.
Delegates will have access to a number of events prior to and following the conference, including courses on seismic monitoring, rock mechanics, ground support and numerical modeling.
Tours of Glencore’s Fraser and Nickel Rim South mines as well as its Strathcona Mill and Falconbridge Smelter will also be offered.
The Australian Centre for Geomechanics is a not-for-profit mining research centre based at the University of Western Australia in Perth.
The ACG undertakes research, education and training activities in the geomechanics disciplines to provide industry with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance safety.
