CARMA is the Canadian Rock Mechanics Association, which represents the combined membership of the Canadian Institute of Mining’s Rock Engineering Society and Canadian Geotechnical Society’s Rock Mechanics Division. CARMA also acts as Canada’s National Group for the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM).

CARMA strives to develop, maintain and promote communications and cooperation between practitioners of rock mechanics and rock engineering. It provides its members with opportunities to present the results of professional activities by organizing events and activities to facilitate knowledge, experience and information transfer and exchange. It also provides its members with opportunities to upgrade and update their professional knowledge and skills

The general objectives of CARMA are to:

• provide individual memberships in the ISRM;
• provide a medium for communication and cooperation among those interested in rock mechanics;
• disseminate knowledge and information through meetings, publications, discussions and other means of communication;
• co-ordinate and co-sponsor national and international rock mechanics conferences;
• encourage interest and the advancement of education in rock mechanics and rock engineering;
• engage in other activities meant to promote the development of knowledge concerning rock mechanics.

The 2011 CARMA Executive consists of:

• Chair: Chris Hawkes, University of Saskatchewan
• Past-Chair: James Archibald, Queen's University
• Member: John Hadjiqeorgiou, University of Toronto
• Member: Jim Hazzard, Itasca Consulting
• Secretary/Treasurer: Luc Beauchamp, Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association, Ontario

CARMA Chairs:

• 2011 – Chris Hawkes
• 2010 – James Archibald
• 2009 – Chris Hawkes
• 2008 – Luc Beauchamp
• 2007 – Erik Eberhardt
• 2006 – Denis O’Donnell
• 2005 – Hani Mitri