ACG Team

Director

Yves Potvin

Director

Yves joined the ACG in 1998 and was appointed Centre Director in 2000. In close collaboration with industry, Yves seeks to advance mine safety through the development of geotechnical research projects, further education and training courses, and training material. He is lead author of the Minerals Council of Australia's "Management of Rockfall Risks in Underground Mines - Guideline and Reference Manual", and lead editor of the ACG's publications "Surface Support in Mining" and the "Handbook on Mine Fill". Professor Potvin has also published more than 60 papers. Yves has over 20 years experience in rock mechanics and mine design and has previously held positions at Mount Isa Mines, Noranda Technology Centre and Noranda Mines, Gaspe Division.

Technical Staff

Phil Dight

Winthrop Professor Geotechnical Engineering

Phil joined the ACG team in August 2008. He has been involved with the development and design of ground support for mining applications since 1975. He was a partner in BFP Consultants until BFP was acquired by Coffey Mining. Phil has extensive consulting experience in the geotechnical aspects of the mining industry, and has worked on open pit and underground metalliferous mining problems. In 1985 he was awarded the Manuel Rocha Medal by the International Society of Rock Mechanics for his work in open pit mining and support. With Peter Fuller he undertook ground support work which has now found its way into industry. With extensive support from Rio Tinto he has been involved in the bore hole stress measurement techniques which are gaining wider use. In conjunction with Arcady Dyskin, the development of stress measurement in anisotropic rocks is a current pursuit.

Paul Harris

Project Leader - Regional Seismic Network, Software Engineer

Paul was originally contracted in 2001 to develop the software component of the Mine Seismicity and Rockburst Risk Management Project.  Before joining the ACG, he developed custom software for clients in the mining industry.

Paul is now continuing to develop the MS-RAP software, and is the project manager and developer for the Regional Seismic Network project.  His focus is on software development and its application to mining and seismicity.

Matt Helinski

Research Associate

Matt is a civil engineer who graduated from the University of Newcastle in 1999. After five years industrial experience in the field of mine backfill and tailings Matt returned to university to undertake PhD studies in the field of mine backfill geomechanics. In addition, Matt currently works as a senior backfill consultant with Revell Resources and has been involved in many different hydraulic fill, paste fill and cemented rockfill projects throughout the world.

Richard Jewell

Senior Consultant

An associate professor at The University of Western Australia, Richard was responsible for establishing the Geomechanics Group within the Department of Civil Engineering in 1984, and subsequently the Australian Centre for Geomechanics in 1992.

Throughout his professional career Richard has worked closely with the offshore oil and gas industry and the mining industry. As senior consultant, his current role is that of developing and promoting research projects and continuing education courses on geomechanics topics which are of relevance to the resource development industries.

Johan Wesseloo

Project Leader - Mine Seismicity and Rockburst Risk Management

Johan joined the ACG team in February 2007. Johan was previously a geotechnical engineer with SRK Consulting, South Africa. He holds a PhD (Geotechnical) from The University of Pretoria, and has specialised in numerical, statistical and probabilistic methods in geotechnical analysis and design. Johan has been involved in geotechnical engineering in the mining and civil industry since 1998 and his project experience includes both underground and surface structures in various stress conditions and rock types.

Administrative Staff

Bel Doley

Publications Officer

Bel joined the ACG in July 2008 as the publications officer. Her primary role is to assist the ACG with the development and co-ordination of ACG's event proceedings and publications, whilst also providing graphic design and publication sales support.

Bec Hitchings

Communications Manager

Bec joined the ACG in 2008 as the communications manager. Bec is responsible for the design, development and co-ordination of ACG's publications as well as managing the event websites. She is also an editor and has 12 years experience in publishing.

Christine Neskudla

Business Manager 

Christine has assisted in the implementation of all ACG activities since its inception in 1992. As business manager Christine is responsible for the financial reporting and business planning of the Centre. She coordinates the ACG short courses, seminars, training activities and research projects. Christine keeps abreast of industry's developments through communication with industry, the Centre's Board of Management and Joint Venture Partners.

Irene Neskudla

Administration Officer

Irene joined the ACG team in 2006 and is the prime contact point for event registrations, accounts and ACG’s publications and training products. Irene is also responsible for the ACG’s mailouts and maintenance of our client database. To obtain our latest newsletter or for most recent brochures on our training products and services contact Irene.

Josephine Ruddle

Marketing Manager

Josephine's responsibilities include marketing communications, direct marketing, brand development, public relations and event management. Jo’s focus is to strengthen the ACG’s position locally and internationally as a leading provider of mining geomechanics information.