This page is for non-member registration only. 

Please join us for our January 2025 MGS meeting. 

Held at Day Block Brewing Company in Minneapolis from 6:00-8:30 PM

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(Happy hour from 6:00-7:00 (drinks included), dinner served around 7:00, and then announcements and the technical presentation from 7:30 – 8:30 pm)

Presenter:  Joshua Zimmerman

Title: Evaluating and mitigating the risks pertaining from collapsing underground mines and subsidence

Abstract: There are an estimated ~240,000 abandoned coal mines across the United States dating back to the early 18th century. Many of these mines are underground, and surrounding communities have developed homes, roads, utilities, and other infrastructure in the overlying areas. Every year, the supports of these mines continue to degrade, weakening the overlying bedrock. As degradation of the rock progresses, it can result in sudden subsidence or sinkhole events at the ground surface, which can be dozens of feet wide and deep. This poses a huge safety risk to the overlying communities and can significantly damage infrastructure or result in injury or death to local residents.

This presentation discusses how the risks from these hazards can be identified (using traditional and modern methods) and how various ground improvement techniques can be used to address these risks to the overlying communities and infrastructure.  

Bio: Mr. Zimmermann is a Senior Professional Engineer at Brierley Associates, where is has spent nearly a decade working on a diverse range of geotechnical engineering projects. This includes geotechnical site investigations, designs and analysis for projects involving shafts, tunnels, trenchless construction, ground improvement, mine, and abandoned mine reclamation projects across the country and for multiple local, state, and national entities. He is also a registered professional engineer in thirteen states.

Registration is for in-person attendance only. We hope to see you there!