RockEng 2012 - 21st Canadian Rock Mechanics Symposium - Call for Abstracts

The CARMA Technical Committee is accepting abstracts for the next in the Canadian Rock Mechanics Symposium series, to be held in conjunction with the 2012 CIM Annual Conference and Exhibition, May 5-9, 2012 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The theme of this symposium, Rock Engineering for Natural Resources, was chosen with the objective of developing a better understanding of the rock mechanics-related challenges encountered during the development of mineral deposits, hydrocarbons, and alternative energy sources.

To submit an abstract, please visit the RockEng 2012 website: http://www.cim.org/edmonton2012/rockeng2012/. Abstracts are due October 19, 2011.

2011 John A. Franklin Award - Peter Stacey

Peter Stacey is commended for his outstanding technical contribution to the application of the principles of rock mechanics in mining engineering; in particular, for his recent work as a co-editor and chapter author of "Guidelines for Open Pit Slope Design".

Mr. Stacey is currently the President of Stacey Mining Geotechnical Ltd., based in Vancouver. In a career spanning five decades, he has engaged in open pit and underground mining geotechnical and design studies throughout the world. His particular specialty is open pit mining, in particular the relationship between geology and rock mechanics in all phases of exploration and mine planning. His experience, skill and knowledge are conveyed in "Guidelines for Open Pit Slope Design", which has been hailed as a milestone and has gained wide acceptance amongst practicing engineers and mining educators worldwide.

For recently published contributions in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, the CGS is pleased to honour Peter Stacey with the 2011 John A. Franklin Award.

News - Slope Stability 2011

Slope Stability 2011, the International Symposium on Rock Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, was held September 18-21, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada. This specialty meeting explored recent innovation and key developments in the design, analysis, excavation and management of rock slopes. Slope Stability 2011 provided a forum for mine owners and operators, consultants, engineers, suppliers and researchers to exchange views on how to promote best practices in slope stability investigations, design, monitoring and management. The symposium was hosted by the Canadian Association of Rock Mechanics (CARMA), the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University with Dr. Erik Eberhardt (UBC) and Dr. Doug Stead (SFU) acting as Co-Chairs. Attendees came from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America with over 420 participants. The symposium was preceded by three successful workshops on Saprolites, Radar Technology in Slope Stability, and Surface Mining in Western and Northern Canada, attended by over 100 people. The symposium itself was opened by Dr. Evert Hoek. Three days followed with invited keynotes and 60 presentations on the state-of-the-art in slope stability in Mining and Civil Engineering. The symposium was closed by Dr. Chuck Brawner, organizer of the 1st Slope Stability in Mining and Engineering Symposium in Vancouver in 1970. Two successful technical tours were held after the symposium to the Sea to Sky Highway and to the Highland Valley Copper mine. The next slope stability in mining and civil engineering symposium will be held in Australia in 2013.

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