Laurentian University congratulates its own Dr. Ming Cai, Geomechanics Research Chair, for receiving the prestigious John A. Franklin Award from the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS). The award recognizes Dr. Cai’s work in rock mechanics and rock engineering aimed at improving safety and efficiency in the mining industry in Canada and around the world.
“I want to the thank the CGS for this award which has left me both humbled and proud,” said Dr. Ming Cai, full professor and Geomechanics Research Chair at Laurentian University. “Being honoured by my peers in the engineering community is a deeply humbling experience of course. But I am also proud of the work we are doing here at Laurentian to continually improve mining technologies and practices to the benefit of the industry and its workers.”
The Canadian Geotechnical Society, which represents civil and mining engineers, created the John A. Franklin Award to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to rock mechanics and rock engineering. The 2017 prize was awarded to Dr. Cai for his work related to rock support in difficult ground conditions, interpretation of acoustic emission and microseismic monitoring data, and proposed quantitative approaches to estimate peak and residual rock mass strengths.
“I want to congratulate Dr. Cai for this prestigious award. It could not have gone to a more deserving person,” said Vic Pakalnis, CEO of the Mining Innovation and Rehabilitation, and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) at Laurentian University. “Ming truly represents the best that MIRARCO and our university have to offer when it comes to developing ground-breaking tools for the mining industry.”
Among Dr. Cai’s accomplishments recognized by the John A. Franklin Award is the development of ground-support products to prevent a potentially life-threatening effect of deep mining known as rockburst. They include the MCB33 dynamic rockbolt which has been used by some deep mines in Canada, and another prototype rockbolt which has superb dynamic support capacity giving it the potential for being used in deep underground mines for enhanced safety and productivity.
“Thanks to researchers like Dr. Cai, Laurentian has a well-earned reputation as a leader in developing efficient, cost-effective tools and techniques being used by the mining industry right now, and for years to come,” said Dr. Pierre Zundel, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University. “I congratulate Ming on this award and look forward to his continuing work not only in the lab, but also in the classroom where he is helping shape the next generation of creative, innovative researchers.”
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Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety.