South Gobi Underground Mass Mining InstituteFundamentals of Stress Field Characterisation
SGUMMI COURSECourse Summary
Understanding the stress field is fundamental to safe and effective underground mine design, particularly in high-stress and cave mining environments. The Fundamentals of Stress Field Characterisation course provides engineers with a robust grounding in the principles, measurement methods, analysis, and application of in situ stress fields. Through eight progressive modules, the course covers stress terminology, crustal stress conditions, geological controls, data acquisition techniques, stress transformation and modelling, QA/QC protocols, and real-world case studies.
Participants will learn how stress conditions affect rock mass behaviour, excavation stability, and seismicity, and gain hands-on insight into stress measurement tools such as overcoring, acoustic emissions, and seismic inversion. Special focus is given to interpreting complex stress data in structurally controlled environments and integrating stress models into design and stability analysis workflows. The course concludes with case studies that demonstrate best practices and common challenges in real-world mining settings.
COURSE OVERVIEWCourse Objectives
01
To build a strong theoretical and practical understanding of stress fields and their role in rock mass stability and mine design.
02
To equip participants with the ability to plan, execute, and interpret stress measurement campaigns and apply the results to geotechnical modelling and decision-making.
03
To develop familiarity with a range of stress measurement techniques, including their strengths, limitations, and appropriate application across different project stages.
04
To enable participants to critically assess the effects of geology and tectonics on stress variability and stress domain formation.
05
To provide participants with an understanding of how to transform stress data into actionable formats for use in numerical modelling.
06
To promote an integrated approach to stress field characterisation using multiple data sources, QA/QC protocols, and case-based learning.
TARGET AUDIENCEThis course is ideal for
Early to mid-career geotechnical or geological engineers in underground mining
Mine planning and mine design professionals seeking stronger ground characterisation skills
Technical teams supporting mining operations
Professionals working with geo data, geo models and their application into mine design
OUTCOMESKey Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand in situ stress fundamentals, states of stress, and stress tensor representations.
- Identify how geological features such as faults and topography influence stress magnitudes and orientations.
- Select appropriate stress measurement methods and evaluate their limitations.
- Basic understanding of how to analyse and transform stress data for use in failure criteria and numerical modelling.
- Plan staged stress measurement campaigns across project phases from concept to operations.
- Apply QA/QC practices to evaluate stress data and integrate it into validated mine stress models.
COURSECourse Topics Covered
01
Introduction to Stresses and Basic Terminology
02
Session 2: Stresses in the Earth’s Crust
03
Effects of Geology on Stresses
04
Working with Stresses
05
Methods of Measuring Stresses
06
Planning Stress Measurement Campaigns
07
Analysis and Interpretation
08
Case Studies
FORMATDelivery Format
Duration:
2 days
Location:
Oyu Tolgoi Mine, Mongolia
Format:
In-person, expert-led instruction
Structure:
Approximately 50% theoretical content (including case studies), 50% hands-on practical activities
Language:
English
COURSE INSTRUCTORDr. Steve McKinnon
Dr. Steve McKinnon is a distinguished mining geomechanics engineer with over 45 years of international experience spanning academia, consulting, and applied research. He holds a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and has built a career at the intersection of rock mechanics, stress analysis, and underground mine design, specialising in the design and layout of hard rock mines at depth.
He received a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science (geophysics option) and an M.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering (geotechnical engineering) both from the University of Toronto. His Ph.D. is in mining engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.
He has worked as a researcher at the Chamber of Mines of South Africa (5 years), and from 1998 to 2019, Dr. McKinnon served as Professor and Chair in Mine Design at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada (20 years), where he also held adjunct appointments in the Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering. He continues to contribute to academia as Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Professor at Queen’s, and as a Visiting Professor at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden.
Dr. McKinnon’s consulting career includes leadership roles at Itasca Consulting Group in the U.S. and Chile, as well as senior positions in Sweden and South Africa. Since 2020, he has operated as an independent mining geomechanics consultant, advising on geotechnical review boards and major mining projects worldwide, including Chuquicamata Underground, Oyu Tolgoi, and El Teniente. His research focuses on mining-induced seismicity and the characterisation of stress fields in complex geological environments. Dr. McKinnon has supervised numerous graduate students and authored influential publications on seismic stress inversion, numerical modelling, and rock mass behaviour.
In addition to his academic and consulting work, Dr. McKinnon served as a part-time Commission Member of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission from 2019 to 2021
COURSE FAQFrequently Asked Questions
01/
Who should attend this course?
This course is designed for early to mid-career geotechnical and geological engineers, mine planning and design professionals, and technical teams supporting underground mining. It is also relevant for those working with geodata and geotechnical models for mine design.
02/
What practical skills will I gain?
You will learn how to plan and execute stress measurement campaigns, use methods such as overcoring and acoustic emissions, and interpret stress data for use in mine design and stability analysis. The course also teaches how to apply QA/QC protocols and integrate stress models into geotechnical workflows.
03/
How is the course delivered?
The program is delivered in person over two days at the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. It combines 50% classroom-based theory, including case studies, with 50% practical field activities led by expert instructors.
04/
Do I need prior experience with stress measurement?
No advanced experience is required. A general background in geology or geotechnical engineering is recommended. All key stress measurement concepts, tools, and applications are introduced during the course.
TESTIMONIALSWhat Our Industry Partners Are Saying
I’ve always been passionate about mining, and SGUMMI offers a unique opportunity to learn directly in the field. The program uses the Oyu Tolgoi mine itself as a training hub, which makes the learning incredibly practical and hands-on. It’s an ideal environment to build real-world skills.
Zaya Baitag
I truly enjoyed the SGUMMI course, which provided valuable insights into geotechnical principles and caving knowledge. The lessons were very practical and went beyond the math to explore the reason behind the concept. We are gaining experience-based knowledge from world-leading experts and professors. I’m very much looking forward to the remaining part of the course.
Batpurev Ganbat
The SGUMMI training is helping me gain a more systematic understanding of underground mass mining. It bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical applications, and I’m already applying what I learn directly to my daily work. This is supporting my development toward the next step in my career.
Bayar-Erdene Ganbold
SGUMMI has been an amazing chance to learn from top mining experts. The sessions are well-connected and practical, helping me understand cave mining and geomechanics better. Now I feel more confident to grow professionally in this field.
Suvdaa Erdenebayar
This training plays a vital role in strengthening the education sector at a time when near-surface resources are being depleted and the demand for deep mining is increasing. As a young university lecturer, it is a valuable opportunity for me to share with mining company engineers and students what I’ve learned from professors. I am especially grateful for the chance to learn not only from internationally renowned professors but also from world-class practitioners in the mining industry.
Orkhon Erdenebaatar
Course Delivery Months
Planned Delivery:
February/March 2026
Exact dates will be confirmed closer to delivery.