The conference is being organised by the Illawarra Branch of the AusIMM in association with the Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong; NSW Coal Mine Managers Association; Seedsman Geotechnics; Strata Engineering Australia; and Strata Control Technology.

Conference organisers said the idea behind the colloquium was to create a forum for Australian geotechnical engineers and geologists to review what has been achieved and to share ideas for the future. The emphasis is on case studies, as evidenced by the list of speakers with operational experience.

The conference pays a special tribute to Dr Alan Hargraves, widely regarded as the guru of rock mechanics and gas drainage in the Illarawarra in the early days of longwalling. Hargraves ran the BHP rock mechanics group in the 1970s and 80s and made a significant contribution to the understanding of strata control in Australian coal mines. Rod Doyle, Dartbrook will recall Hargraves' contribution to the industry during the Colloquium dinner.

Other Speakers include:

Rod Elvish, 2001 president of the AusIMM; Bob Kininmonth, retired senior inspector of coal mines.

Jim Enever, CSIRO Petroleum, will provide a historical perspective of the early days of rock mechanics and strata control.

John Hanes, geological consultant, will talk on Gas Outbursts/Control Methods.

Ian Anderson, Dept of Mineral Resources, will discuss the new legislative framework and the role of geotechnical and gas drainage professionals.

Consultant Brian Nicholls will explain how NSW and Queensland Coalfields differ and what we need to do better.

Les Lunarzewski, Lunagas, will cover gas drainage practices.

Ray Williams, Geogas Systems, will cover gas Emission modelling of development mining.

Naj Aziz, University of Wollongong, will describe the university’s newly launched website for Australian longwall practices.

Mitch Jakeman, Capricorn Coal Management, will discuss geotechnology engineering at Capricorn Coal.

Peter Hayes will look at coal operations on great northern seam development under claystone roof - experiences at Chain Valley, Waltarah and Moonee.

Phil Eade, BHP Coal Illawarra, will cover longwalling and its impacts in the Southern Coalfield – recent BHP experiences.

Ian Stone, Springvale Coal, will talk on successes and future challenges for longwall mining in structured ground.

Graham Duncan, AMC Resource Consultants, will speak on the impact of ground control on mining reserve estimations.

Organisers said registration fees had been kept as low as possible to encourage as many people to attend as possible.