Established in 2013, the Peng Award provides recognition to individuals who have demonstrated technical and scientific excellence in advancing the understanding of ground control technologies or approaches by either publication or direct applications in the mining industry.

The award will be presented during the SME Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 23-26.

“I am extremely thrilled and honoured to receive this prestigious award,” Canbulat said.

“This is one of the most memorable events of my professional career.

“I sincerely thank SME and the selection committee for recognising my contributions. Many of my current and past colleagues have contributed to my professional growth; I therefore accept the award on behalf of all of us.”

Canbulat received his Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from Istanbul Technical University, his Master of Science in mining engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and Ph.D from University of Pretoria.

During his career he has worked for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and for Groundwork Consulting at Strata Engineering in Australia.

In addition to SME, Canbulat is a member of Engineers Australia, Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Geomechanics Society, International Society for Rock Mechanics and the Bowen Basin Underground Geotechnical Society.

He is a registered Professional Engineer through the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland, and has been author and co-author of over 40 technical papers published in refereed journals and conference proceedings.

Currently Canbulat is the principal geotechnical engineer for underground operations with Anglo American Metallurgical Coal in Brisbane.

He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Mining Engineering Department of the University of New South Wales, where he lectures parts of the Strata Control Graduate Diploma Course.