Associated Event
17–19 November 2026 | Sofitel Brisbane Central | Brisbane, Australia
Ground Support Design in Theory and Practice Workshop
20 November 2026 | Brisbane, Australia
About the workshop
The workshop will introduce the fundamental principles of ground support design including load transfer theory, the rock arch concept, Factor of Safety calculations, plating and tensioning cable bolts, and shotcrete application. These concepts will be supported by case studies of how these principles are applied in underground mines.
It will then progress to ground support types, the selection of design values and acceptance criteria, and the types of analysis undertaken for ground support design including rules of thumb, empirical schemes, analytical methods, numerical methods, weak ground, squeezing ground, faults, and dynamic ground support.
A range of analysis options is presented from across the industry and across many publications. These concepts will be supported by case studies of how they can be applied in underground mines.
The workshop will also cover ground support quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) including QA/QC programs and an in-depth look at what mine sites around the world have implemented. The workshop will conclude with guidance on developing robust ground support plans backed by a range of examples from underground mines worldwide.
Workshop objective
This workshop seeks to provide the delegate with a clear, practical understanding of why and how ground support is designed with an intense focus on practical implementation.
Topics include:
- ground support mechanics
- selection of design values and design acceptance criteria
- rules of thumb
- empirical support schemes
- empirical stope reinforcement
- stope brow reinforcement
- wedge analysis
- ground support in weak ground
- ground support for large–scale structures
- discrete fracture networks for ground support analysis
- numerical analysis for ground support
- ground support in squeezing ground
- dynamic ground support
- QA/QC programs
- QA/QC benchmarking data
- ground support plans
Who should attend:
- early-career geotechnical engineers
- internationally based geotechnical engineers with limited exposure to learning opportunities
- mid-career geotechnical engineers facing specific or unfamiliar challenges.
Workshop Presenters
Ruth Stephenson
Director and Mentor
Mine Mentor Pty Ltd
With over 20 years of experience in the mining industry, a Bachelor of Science in Geology (The University of Western Australia) and a Master of Science in Mining Geomechanics (Western Australian School of Mines), Ruth’s strengths include motivating and inspiring others and mentoring colleagues to help them achieve success. Her experience includes 9 years at underground mine site operations in Western Australia and over 12 years of consulting to mines and projects globally including studies, reviews, operational assistance, and auditing. Ruth is well-published, providing positive technical contributions in underground geotechnical engineering. She continues these contributions through sharing knowledge, helping others to solve challenges, and maximising their learning experience.
Mike Sandy
Senior Mentor
Mine Mentor Pty Ltd
With over 40 years of experience in the mining industry, a Bachelor of Science in Mining Geology and a Master of Science in engineering rock mechanics from Imperial College, Mike has 17 years of experience at underground operations in Zambia and Australia followed by 30 years in consulting and over one year delivering training and mentoring (Mine Mentor). He has significant experience in deep, high-stress mines and in the management of seismicity and squeezing ground conditions. Mike lectured on practical topics to the UNSW Sydney 8140 (hard rock) Master of Geomechanics program and he has contributed to over 20 publications and continues to make significant contributions to the global geotechnical community.
Chris Moulding
Global Manager:Technical Services
Operational Geotechs Pty Ltd
Chris has over 14 years in underground mining geomechanics including 8 years in operations and 7 years providing operational support, mentoring, and studies for operations spanning across over 45 mines sites and over 60 technical projects. With deep experience in Western Australia’s gold mining sector, this provided him with vast knowledge that covers narrow vein, bulk and remnant mining, backfill management, poor ground, rock mass data collection, ground support QA/QC, mine sequencing, seismic system design and analysis, trigger action response plans, and more. He has a degree in Engineering Geology and Geotechnics (Honours) from the University of Portsmouth.
Ben Barsanti
Director & Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Operational Geotechs, Canada
Ben has broad mining experience over his 20 year career with exposure to underground and open pit mining across Australia and Africa in gold and nickel commodities. During his career, Ben has gained a variety of geotechnical and backfill experience working for Gold Fields Australia, La Mancha Resources, and Newmont Corporation, before co-founding Operational Geotechs in 2016. Ben has worked in operations with challenging ground conditions, mining at depth and high-stress environments. Ben graduated from RMIT University in Melbourne with a Bachelor of Engineering (Geological).
Workshop Notes
Following workshop conclusion, approved presentation material shall be available to the workshop attendees.
Professional Development Hours
Participants in this event will be eligible for PD hours. The ACG can provide a certificate of attendance, post-event.
Please contact the ACG at info-acg@uwa.edu.au if you have any queries.