Turner Mining & Geotechnical

Experienced and Independent Mining & Geotechnical Consultant

About Mike Turner

Since November 2005 I have been working as an independent mining/geotechnical consultant. I am available for; mining method selection and reviews; geotechnical input for mine planning and feasibility studies; stope stability and dilution studies; support designs and performance reviews; and seismic system designs, data analysis and activity reviews. I also specialise in geotechnical studies in poor ground, high stress and seismic environments.

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Expertise

Rockfall and rockburst investigations

I have undertaken rockfall, rockburst and accident investigations for clients. The objectives have been to determine the causes of the falls and to recommend changes to designs, extraction sequencing and support required to prevent repeat incidents.

Stope stability, dilution and pillar design studies

Stope stability and dilution studies have formed a major part of my experience – for operating mines and for due-diligence and feasibility studies. These studies can be based on data from diamond drill core or from underground mapping and current and previous stope performance. Pillar designs have been undertaken for room and pillar mines, crown pillars, regional pillars, yielding pillars and for shaft pillars, using empirical methods and numerical modelling.

Mining method selection and reviews

I have experience working and consulting to mines with a wide range of rockmass conditions and with many types of mining methods, from scoping studies to feasibility studies. My experience includes large-scale mechanised methods such as caving and open stoping as well as hand-held.

Geotechnical input for feasibility studies

I have completed the geotechnical input for a number of scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for open pits and underground mines. The underground studies have included many different mining methods, flowing onto the geotechnical sections of Notice of Intent (NOI) and support designs for contract quotations.

Interpretation of rockmass properties from logging data

The interpretation of rockmass properties has to be undertaken in different ways to take into account the probable mining methods and mining boundaries. I have had significant experience dealing with different logging data in various formats.

Geotechnical core logging

I have had many years experience in geotechnical core logging, and I have taught exploration geologists how to log core geotechnically.

Slope stability studies

I have undertaken slope stability studies for a range of open pit mines, including limestone, copper, gold and nickel in Africa and Australia.

Seismic system designs, installation, data analysis and reviews

I have been involved with seismic system design, installation, data analysis and interpretation for over 18 mines. I have initiated, commissioned and managed a 6-system rental programme for AMC. Analysis of data can indicate which domains, structures, designs and extraction sequences cause the seismic activity, and which areas need support upgrades and increased re-entry periods.

Support designs and performance reviews

I have executed support designs for underground excavations for over 20 years. Including support designs using diamond drill core data, analysis of numerical modelling results, monitoring results and from rockfall analyses. I have specialist experience in designing support for seismic conditions and for weak, high-deformation rocks.