Dr Basil Beamish have been recognised by The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) in the annual awards of Australia’s Mining industry professional society. Professor White was made an Honorary Fellow of The AusIMM for his committed service to the profession and the institute. Dr Beamish was awarded the prestigious Jim Torlach Health and Safety Award for his commitment to mine health and safety throughout his career both in academic research and teaching as well as time spent in industry. The awards will be presented in May at The AusIMM’s Annual Awards dinner to be held this year in Wollongong.

The commendations from the institute read as follows:

Dr Basil Beamish MAusIMM

Basil Beamish has shown inspirational leadership and commitment throughout his professional career including service to the Queensland coal industry as a Mines Rescue Team vice-captain and captain, during which time he led teams which won national mines rescue competitions and a Healy Cup (1983) in the Queensland competition. Basil’s work also resulted in increased awareness of the health and safety risks associated with spontaneous combustion and coal seam gas through regular presentations at AusIMM conferences and industry workshops in Australia and New Zealand.

From his significant contribution to combating the outburst hazard problem in underground operations as a key member of a mining research team at Collinsville Coal Mine in the 1980s to his current role as a Senior Lecturer in Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland, Basil has been a leader in advancing fire and explosion prevention and mining education.