The First International Symposium on Ground Support in Mining and Underground Construction took place in 1983 under the theme of rockbolting: theory and application in mining and underground construction. This series of events has evolved over the years to cover all areas of mining related ground support and provide a documented timeline of the significant advancements in ground support technology and practice in the last 40 years. These are reflected in the improved safety statistics and performance of excavations.

Ground support remains the main means to manage rockfalls; one of the major risks in underground mines. The latest developments and applications of ground support in mining are of prime interest to mining practitioners worldwide where the objective is to mitigate rockfall.