To be staged at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, the event is expected to break new ground in bringing coal and metalliferous mining professionals together for the first time to learn about the latest developments in ground control technology.

"Ground control is a perennially vital aspect of mining operations and one in which practice developments have enormous benefits for the mining industry as a whole," said the head of the UNSW School of Mining Engineering and conference co-convenor, Professor Bruce Hebblewhite.

"Our focus on the practical aspects of ground control will, we believe, help meet a long-felt and major need."

Highlights of a packed program include papers on new satellite radar technology for subsidence monitoring; caving management and monitoring for coal and metalliferous mines; future issues for geotechnical professionals in the light of the Northparkes disaster findings, and inrush management.

The Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference, Ground Control in Mining – Technology and Practice, is aimed at mine managers, site operators, consultants, researchers, geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists, planners, technical services managers and technical support staff with a special interest in mining geomechanics and ground control. It is being jointly organised by the UNSW School of Mining Engineering and the Eastern Australia Ground Control Group. MiningNews.net