Colin Thomson, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, presented this piece at the AusIMM Underground Operators Conference 2025 in Adelaide. Focussing on the collapse and response of an underground infrastructure at Burkina Faso’s Yaramoko Mine, he covered the collaborative and cost-conscious fix that allowed operations to continue, without a full tunnel replacement. A structure under pressure
Ishwor, Dahal Geotechnical Engineer What is your role, and how long have you been at MGT? I am an engineering geologist/geotechnical engineer and I joined MineGeoTech last month. What sparked your interest in this field? I grew up in the lap of Mt. Gaurishankar, one
BSc (Geology), MMinEng (Mine Geomechanics), MAusIMM (CP), CEng Ian graduated from the University of Bristol in 2008 with an honours degree in Geology, and completed his masters in Mine Geomechanics at the University of New South Wales in 2018. He has over 14-years experience in the mining industry and has worked across a range
BEng (Geotechnical Engineering) Mauro graduated from the National University of Colombia in 2017 with a BEng in Geotechnical Engineering - he has 8 years' industry experience having worked in a range of roles from civils geotechnical, mining exploration geology and underground geotechnical in South America and since 2020, in Western Australia and Queensland. In
BSc (Geology) Gavin graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Geology and immediately went to work in Newmont’s underground Tanami Mine. Gavin has over 15 years’ industry experience across Australia, UK, Canada, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, undertaking projects in drilling, mapping, mining, quarrying and
BSc (Geology), MSc (Engineering Geology) Ishwor Dahal is a dedicated engineering geologist and geotech with experience in geological and geotechnical investigations, tunnel face mapping, and construction supervision for major infrastructure projects. He holds a masters degree in engineering geology and has developed a strong foundation in engineering geology, rock mechanics and geological/geotechnical site investigation
Jeonghan, Kim Early Career Geotechnical Engineer What is your role, and how long have you been at MGT? I am an early career geotechnical engineer, and it has been only 4 months at MineGeoTech. I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for me! What
BSc (Engineering Geology), Geotechnics (Hons), MSc (Applied Geotechnics) Francesca has completed a Master’s in Applied Geotechnics from the Camborne School of Mines, and has over three years of geotechnical experience in the mining industry. She has amassed both underground and open pit experience in the Pilbara and Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Technical Capabilities
BEng (Mining) Elamurugan 'Ela' has more than 12 years of specialised experience in Surface and Underground Mining operations and Geotechnical Engineering. Ela worked as a Mine Production Engineer and Geotechnical Engineer in India since 2012 after graduating from The College of Engineering, Guindy with a bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering. Having relocated to Australia,
Re-live the magic of the AusIMM Underground Operators Conference 2025. View our photo gallery from the conference, this year held in Adelaide.
