Driving sustainable investment in African Mining

Arnold Dix

President ITA-AITES

Professor Arnold Dix, is the President International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association.  He is a highly regarded Barrister and Scientist specializing in the underground. He conducts Underground Disaster investigation and is an internationally recognized subject matter expert in fire and life safety and collapses of the underground, holding a distinguished service award from the United States for his contribution to the fire and life safety of road and rail tunnels (NFPA130 and NFPA502).  He is a member of the British Institute of Investigators. Arnold has served on the committees and working groups of the ITA, FIDIC, PIARC and NFPA for decades. He is active on all continents, a member of the specialist Underground Works Chambers, a member of the Victorian Bar.  He is also a visiting Professor of Engineering (tunnels) Tokyo City University. 

Arnold loves tunnels and the underground space. He is convinced that the underground offers a range of adaptive and resilient solutions to most of the perils facing humanity today.  


2024 Agenda Sessions

Mission Impossible - 41 miners rescued 0 injuries in 17 days.

A catastrophic loss of tunnel support caused tunnel collapse of nearly 100 meters length under an active 40-meter pipe cavern within the sheer zone of a Himalayan mountain. Multiple failed attempts to create an egress passage over 17 days gradually informed rescuers about how to establish a safe escape path. From small diameter lifeline tunnels to augers, TBMs Pilling shafts geophones and drones – and even prayers - hear firsthand how the seemingly impossible was achieved.

Monday 05 February 16:05 - 16:30 Innovators Stage

Tech & Innovation Hub

Add to calendar 02/05/2024 16:05 02/05/2024 16:30 Mission Impossible - 41 miners rescued 0 injuries in 17 days. A catastrophic loss of tunnel support caused tunnel collapse of nearly 100 meters length under an active 40-meter pipe cavern within the sheer zone of a Himalayan mountain. Multiple failed attempts to create an egress passage over 17 days gradually informed rescuers about how to establish a safe escape path. From small diameter lifeline tunnels to augers, TBMs Pilling shafts geophones and drones – and even prayers - hear firsthand how the seemingly impossible was achieved. Innovators Stage Africa/Johannesburg