| Date | 13 April 2026 |
| - | 14 April 2026 |
| Location | Southern Sun Rosebank |
| Resources |
Abstract Template doc 22092025.doc
Guidelines for Authors SAIMM Conference Proceedings and SAIMM Journal 11122025.docx SANCOT Symposium Announcement 22092025.pdf |
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| GOLD EXHIBITOR |
With the continued pace of urbanisation, economic and population growth, the availability of space for necessary infrastructure in the urban environment is a major challenge.
This, in conjunction with climate change and a focus on reducing impact on the environment, are the key factors driving the necessity and relevance of tunnelling.
Tunnels are increasingly seen as a means to providing sustainable, safe and reliable transport, electricity, gas, water, sewage facilities and extraction of raw materials.
Whilst the public and private sectors come to terms with the high capital expenditure required for tunnel construction, we live in an age of continued technological development and the application of these technologies presents an opportunity to better and more cost-effectively design, construct, and monitor tunnels. Furthermore, it is imperative that tunnelling consultants and contractors keep up to date with rapidly changing tunnelling technologies in order to remain viable in a competitive industry.
Abstract submissions are now open!
The SANCOT Symposium Organising Committee is inviting you to submit an abstract for presentation at the 2026 SANCOT Symposium.
Why submit an abstract?
Submission process
Abstracts will be subject to peer review, the committee will decide whether to accept or decline the submissions. Relevance to the conference theme, accuracy and uniqueness of ideas, contribution significance, and presentation quality are among the selection factors. Download abstract submission template
Authors will be notified in writing of the acceptance of their abstract. Once accepted the author can submit a full paper for review. Download paper guidelines
Please note
Key Dates
Abstract submission deadline –24 November 2025
Paper submission deadline – 16 February 2026
Symposium - 13-14 April 2026
Director
David Lees and Associates
Beginning as a mining engineer in the South African mining industry in gold and platinum mines. He wrote his MSc thesis at Wits University and was involved in the introduction of trackless mining at HJ Joel Mine.
Returning to the UK in 1988 he commenced a new career in civil engineering with piling works at Canary Wharf, design for Jubilee Line Extension and CrossRail and cavern excavation in Jersey. Emigrating to Australia in 1995 he was supervising engineer at the Sydney LPG Cavern and Technical Advisor for the New Southern Railway as well as inspection of Snowy Hydro tunnels
David Lees and Associates was established in 1999 providing consultancy to civil and mining projects across Australia and Asia including Lane Cove Tunnel, Parramatta Rail Link, Delhi Metro, Singapore Deep Sewer System, Narrows Crossing LNG tunnel, inspection of Sydney sewer tunnels, grouting consultant for Blakefield South Colliery, plug designs for Russel Vale Colliery, and provided grouting and drainage proposals to Newcrest Mining for Havieron Decline.
Appointed as National Tunnel Manager for KBR in June 2002 and Manager of the NSW Civil Group, he was Banks Engineer for Lane Cove Tunnel and Brisbane By-pass, Technical Advisor for Metro West, and security advisor for Cross City Tunnel, carried out an inspection of the Otira Tunnel in New Zealand and a safety audit of a gold mine in Western Australia.
David established Grouting and Foundation Works Australia in June 2004 which provided specialist grouting and waterproofing for building, civil and mining projects across Australia including Shannon Creek Dam, Ranger Mine, Cross City Tunnel, and Pelican Point Power Station.
In July 2014 David was appointed as Senior Tunnelling Engineer for the Melamchi Water Supply Project in Nepal where he worked throughout the earthquakes of 2015. In August 2015 he was appointed as Chief Site Supervisor for the Uma Oya Project.
He returned to Australia in 20018 assisting in finalising the Snowy 2 contract documents, and as Principal Tunnelling Engineer with Jacobs he was CPS Manager at WestConnex, technical reviewer for Brisbane Metro, Baroota Pumped Hydro, More Trains More Services for Tansport NSW, Aukland Central Interceptor and Batang Toru Hydro Project in Sumatra.
Appointed Team Leader for Package 7A and 7B by AECOM of the Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway tunnels in Utarakhand in Northern India in September 2020, and Chief Resident Engineer for the Mahawelli Water Security Investment Program in Sri Lanka in 2021
David is currently Project Manager and Team Leader for the Tanahu Hydropower Project in Nepal.
David is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia, He was a Director of Engineers Media and has been Editor of the Australian Tunnelling Society Journal for 27 years. He has published two history books on tunnelling and three engineering novels.
Independent Consultant
Engineering of major hydroelectric (run of river and pumped storage) and transportation projects including the evaluation of management control systems, hazard and risk management assessments, technical assurance and quality control systems for major tunnelling projects.
Assessments of the ground conditions and design input parameters for hydroelectric projects, particularly in the faulted and thrust belts of the Himalayas, Karakorums, Andes and Zagros Mountains. Preparation of GBR’s
Design of support systems for large span underground works including hydroelectric complexes, high speed rail and large span highway tunnels in soft ground, weak rock and hard rock employing a variety construction methods and support systems.
Construction supervision of hydro-electric and transportation projects, including the setting up of site teams and RE roles.
Experienced in the evaluation of tunnel failures and provision of recommendations for remedial measures and reinstatement of the works.
Expertise in the assessment of the potential impacts of systemic management failures on major hydro and tunnel related projects.
Specialist inputs as follows: participation in panel of experts; expert witness advice; reporting and presentations at arbitration hearings on major tunnelling projects.
Tunnelling Consultant GmbH
Studies
Career since 2008 - Dr. Ulrich Rehm Tunnelling Consultant GmbH Chief Executive Officer
Experience
Geotechnical analyses for structural design of soft- and hardrock tunnel boring machines (TBM) (examples: St. Gotthard/Switzerland, Gripper TBM x9m; Guadarrama/Spain, double-shield TBM x9,5m; Madrid M30 EPBMx15,20m, Seattle/USA; EPBM xm17,48m Sydney/Australia Mixshield x10,7m ;Hallandsas/Sweden Mixshield x10,5m; Zuerich-Thalwil/Switzerland; single-shield TBM; x12,2m; Limmern/Switzerland; double-Gripper-TBM x8m; Uma Oya/Sri Lanka; double-shield TBM x4,2m).
Feasibility studies and risk analysis for world-wide TBM projects in soft and hardrock (Mexico City, Teheran, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, Italy, Copenhagen, Italy, Stuttgart, Sri Lanka) – including segmental lining and pipe-jacking projects.
Technical TBM checker for various TBM types (Final acceptance test (FAT); onsite assembly. Lecturer for workshops for job-site personnel of segmental lining, pipejack and classical rock support projects.
Application of classical rock mechanics models (CSM, NTNU, BÜCHI, EWENDT, SANIO) for prediction of performance rates and tool consumption for hardrock TBM (shielded and open gripper TBM)
Design of TBM components (cutterhead, hardrock tools, cutter-tool distribution, muck flow, wear protection, back-up systems)
Development of own numerical cutting-tool models for TBM-design (cutterhead drive torque, cutterhead design, cutter-tool optimization
Design of logistical mucking solutions
Spoil conditioning concepts for EPBM
Annulus grouting development (single-, double components)
Ground treatment works (jet-grouting, freezing)
Bentonite-slurry application concepts, separation plant design
Environmental studies for muck disposal
Segmental lining design
Planning of world-wide job-site logistics; concepts for assembly and disassembly of TBM
Trouble-shooting on-site for difficult tunnel projects (Sydney, New Delhi, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Berlin, Freiburg, Teheran, Loetschberg, St. Gotthard, Mexico City, Turkey, Sri Lanka).
Feasibility studies on several TBM tunnel projects (Germany, Spain, Australia, Georgia, Switzerland)
Design of separation plant and slurry circuit
Concept for TBM tunnelling within squeezing rock conditions
Development of tender documents (BoQ of headrace tunnel)
Member of important tunnel associations (DAUB, ITA, ÖIAV); attendance on international working groups for TBM standards
Development of numerical models for TBM design (face-pressure, cutter head drive-torque, thrust forces, slurry circuit, etc.).
Cost estimation and quantification for TBM projects (bill of quantities)
Claim Management (Dublin/Ireland, Freiburg/Germany, Singapore, Vienna, Vancouver, Santiago de Chile, Seattle)
Official court-surveyor (Canada, Austria); mediator for tunnel issues
R&D activities:
Presentation at world-wide TBM-conferences, lecturer for TBM master courses on hardrock and softrock tunnelling (Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Malaysia)
Official Coach for project management system iTWO of the German Railway Company (Deutsche Bahn AG).
Official Coach for tunnel design of the German Railway Company (Deutsche Bahn AG).
Expert Witness and Expert Advisor on numerous projects
High social competence through personal practical experiences on all 5
continents
This conference concentrates on advances in the tunnelling industry, current best practice and how technology has improved tunnelling design, construction, supervision and monitoring.
The conference is intended to promote interaction and closer communication between personnel and companies in the mining and civil industries, and to create a platform where expertise and experience gained in the tunnelling industry can be shared.
The conference should be of value to:
|
Early SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
7 100,00 |
|
Early Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
7 400,00 |
|
SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
7 400,00 |
|
Non SAIMM/SAGA/GSSA Member |
7 900,00 |
|
Presenting Author |
3 500,00 |
|
Students |
650,00 |
|
Retired Member |
650,00 |
|
Sponsor Delegate |
0,00 |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gugu Charlie
Conferences and Events Coordinator
E-mail: gugu@saimm.co.za
Tel: +27 11 538-0238
Web: www.saimm.co.za
Cnr Tyrwhitt & Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Gauteng
