This month we unearth the hidden layers of South Africa-based André Esterhuizen, Senior Geotechnical Engineering Consultant at Open House Management Solutions. 

From the importance of data collection and evolving with technology to his perspective as a geo-professional in South Africa, André shares profound insight into his experience as a geotechnical engineer and the entire industry. 

Like a geologist chipping away, let's unearth the hidden layers of Phil Dight, Professor of Geotechnical Engineering, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, The University of Western Australia, by asking all the important questions.

From the importance of geology in engineering to his passion for teaching, Phil shares profound insight on his experience and the industry, through the lens of a Professor in the specialised field.

People are the bedrock of our industry, so let’s get to know David Reid, Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia. This month, we ask him the important questions from how he got his start in the sector to the advice he’d give to up and coming geotechnical professionals.

Like a geologist inspecting all rock discontinuity, let's unearth the hidden layers of Michael Munro, Technical Director at GMEK, by asking the important questions in our monthly Q&A feature.

Like a geologist chipping away at rock, let's unearth the hidden layers of Colin Purvis, Technical Manager at Trilab, by asking all the important questions.

From how he got his start in the industry to hearing what trends he believes will become more important in coming years’, Colin shares some profound insight into laboratory testing and the importance of geotechnical assessment.

Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked Adam Beer, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, AMC Consultants, the hard questions.

Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked Professor Ismet Canbulat, Head of School and Chair of Rock Mechanics at UNSW, the hard questions.

Geotech risk management: why it pays to build it into your mine design from the outset

Sound geotechnical analysis can have myriad positive effects on mine design, planning and productivity and the earlier geotechnical teams are introduced to the design process, the greater the benefit.

Geotech risk management: why it pays to build it into your mine desiIn recent years, there has been a growth in the use of slope stability radars in open cut mines. Although the primary reason has always been operator safety, a secondary benefit to improvements to mine productivity has justified increasing their usage. In this article, GroundProbe’s Paul Davies shares the results of a survey of geotechnical engineers conducted in July 2023.

Geotech risk management: why it pays to build it into your mine design from the outset

Sound geotechnical analysis can have myriad positive effects on mine design, planning and productivity and the earlier geotechnical teams are introduced to the design process, the greater the benefit.

Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked Geotechnical Engineering Manager Open Cut at Anglo American Steelmaking Coal, Adrienna Robotham the hard questions.

Access roads, build pads, levees, dams, drains – all are vital, primary infrastructure across mine sites so, by their nature, demand a geotechnical engineer’s full attention to ensure safety and stability.

But achieving quality infrastructure no longer needs to be a cookie-cutter approach, with modern methods improving efficiencies and delivering cost benefits to mines through the smarter use of materials, equipment and technology.

Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked APAC Technical Director, Global Subject Matter Expert Engineering Geology, Senior Principal at Jacobs, Graeme Jardine the hard questions.

Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked the Geotechnical Engineer at Gecko Geotechnics Neil Bar the hard questions.

Numerous contributing factors to ground instability can be influenced by geotechnical engineers to ensure the longevity of mining excavations. Ground support is the final line of defence for geotechnical engineers to ensure safe, stable mines. This article focuses on ground support within the geotechnical fraternity, as it is normally the major focus point following falls of ground or rock burst incidents

Tim Cartledge had a fascination for rocks and a mindset for maths long before he ever heard about geotechnical engineering.

Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked Mining One’s Head of Technology & Innovation Stephan Arndt the hard questions.

Senior Lecturer Jannie Maritz from the University of Pretoria, South Africa shares the technological advances that are exciting him the most and his career advice for people looking to work as a geotechnical professional in mining.

With renewable energy and technology driving increased demand for ore and minerals at a time when extensive orebodies have become harder to access – block caving is more frequently hyped as the future of mining. But is this technique as efficient, safe, or as well understood as it should be?

Every month Friction puts 10 questions to a member of the industry to learn more about their career path and views. This month we put Canadian independent rock engineering consultant Gregory More O’Ferrall in the spotlight.