Introduction

Excavation Engineering and Earth Mechanics Institute (EMI) is a part of the Mining Engineering department at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM).  CSM has been recognized as the top university in mineral engineering in the world for 2017, after being bestowed such honor for a few years in a row. EMI has been in operation since 1974, and has always benefited from close relationships with industry, including mining, petroleum, tunneling industries, and related machine manufactures. All the interactions and exchanges have allowed EMI staff to stay up to date with the ongoing activities and upcoming technologies. Additionally, EMI has always benefited from the vision and insights of the industrial advisory committee (IAC) to realign the activities and research directions to be the premier institution focused on rock excavation and drilling in the world, while maintaining the position as the largest facility for rock fragmentation research on the global scale. We intend to continue this tradition and gain from the vast knowledge of our IAC members, which comprise of the leaders in all related industries that are the visionaries in their own fields, and are second to none in their level of knowledge in our fields of interest.

Vision

To maintain the world leadership position in education, technology development, and research on mechanics of earth materials, excavation, and drilling systems through the mutually beneficial interactions of the best experts in the field, using their insights to develop new research ideas for future activities.

Mission

To support EMI faculty and staff in their development of research topics and in conducting the cutting edge applied and high risk research in the field of rock excavation, drilling, and support of earth materials.  The interaction between the researchers and the industrial partners will benefit through sharing the research findings and field experiences, within the realm of the information that can be shared without compromising existing NDA and confidentiality agreements.

Specific Charge of the IAC members

IAC members are selected from the top experts in the field of excavation and drilling in earth materials (rock & soil).  The selection has been based on the background of such members relative to mining, civil construction/tunneling, and petroleum industries, as well as the main manufacturers of the related machines and cutting tools. They are the best visionaries and practitioners of their own field.

Following are the list of charges for the IAC members of EMI:

• Maintain contact with EMI faculty and staff and offer thoughts and suggestions on various topics of their expertise as needed
• Offer suggestions on the upcoming technologies and areas of research focus for the future
• Review EMI activities and offer their critical comments on possible areas of improvement
• Share their visions on the new and enabling technologies that could benefit their respective industries
• Identify resources for expansion of the EMI activities and introduce such resources to EMI staff and faculty for proper follow ups

Focus Areas

Focus areas of the IAC members include:

• Underground construction and tunneling, shaft construction methods/equipment
• Mining, both surface and underground
• Machine /tool manufacturing sector
• Novel rock excavation systems
• Robotics and enhanced sensory systems for automation of related equipment and processes

Time Commitment

Time commitment requested of the IAC members is primarily one day a year to attend the annual meeting. If for any reason the IAC members cannot attend the meeting due to scheduling or travel conflicts, EMI staff will make an effort to facilitate their participation by various web based video conferencing systems. All pertinent documents will be shared with the IAC members and their input will be solicited.  For each annual meeting, IAC members are asked to select a chair to summarize their comments and feedback in the form of a brief report and share with EMI personnel.

The activities of the IAC members will be on a voluntary basis.  EMI will cover the cost of hotel and meals of the IAC members attending the annual meeting.

IAC Members