Launched at the 3rd International Underground Coal Conference, held in Sydney in June, the society’s primary objective is to create a forum for technical rock mechanics practitioners to communicate regularly. Operating minesite personnel, consultants, researchers and academics will be given the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss new technologies, new products, new concepts and current problems in a professional engineering forum.

Professor of Rock Mechanics, University of NSW, Bruce Hebblewhite, was instrumental in the group’s formation. He said the AMRMS sought international linkages, primarily through the International Society of Rock Mechanics (ISRM)

“A particular desire is to foster some cross-fertilisation between coal-focussed professionals and those from the metalliferous mining sector,” Hebblewhite said. “We envisage forming local sub-groups in each major geographic region (or state) initially, and let each sub-group run their own meetings and programs.”

A national get-together would probably be on the agenda every two years and the first of these, the Australasian Ground Control Conference, was planned for September 2002.

“We at UNSW have offered to help in the initial arrangements to get the group up and running, but it should hopefully be able to be self-managing down the track,” Hebblewhite said.

Honorary membership will be offered for 2001. Details can be obtained from Bruce Hebblewhite at B.Hebblewhite@unsw.edu.au