At RockEng, our expertise in rock engineering, underground and surface excavations, ground support design, landslide mechanics, and numerical monitoring has solidified our consulting firm as a leader within the industry. Recently, our President and Project Principal, Kathy Kalenchuk Ph.D., P.Eng. (ON, SK, MB, BC), PE (MT), was interviewed for Global Business Reports’ Ontario Mining and Toronto’s Global Reach 2024 digital interactive report, produced in partnership with the TMX Group (TSX and TSXV) and the Ontario Mining Association, and given the opportunity to share her thoughts on current trends and the future of rock engineering.
RockEng has been involved in pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for lithium projects, as excitement for these commodities has gained traction. The demand for rock mechanics and ground control expertise overall is increasing, and Dr. Kalenchuk notes that throughout her career, this has been the case. Overall, the rock engineering industry recognizes that expertise in rock mechanics, combined with a well-managed ground control program, can improve the productivity and economics of mines, and our services play a large role in these processes.
While limitations on data remain a challenge, Dr. Kalenchuk notes that gathering geotechnical data has become more of a standard practice. Additionally, many technologies have emerged that target data collection obstacles, such as core scanning technology. There has also been a larger focus on investing in instrumentation research within academia, encouraging the tools used to characterize ground conditions to become more effective and applicable in different geological settings.
As these industry changes occur, RockEng remains committed to sustainable and controlled growth through selective hiring. Check out the full interview with Dr. Kalenhcuk by clicking here.