Tunnelling Association of Canada
Association canadienne des tunnels
Association canadienne des tunnels
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| Date | Location | Event | Contact |
| Aug 28, 2025 | Online event | TACym Tunnelling 101: Technology and Methods for Vertical Shaft Sinking Details Thu, Aug 28 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT Online event Abstract: Herrenknecht‘s Vertical Shaft Sinking Machine (VSM) has been designed with a flexible and compact jobsite set-up for the reliable construction of vertical shafts in confined space conditions. The VSM technology shows its strengths particularly below groundwater and can be used in all ground conditions, with compressive strengths of up to 140 megapascal. Shaft sinking with VSM has a wide range of applications. With diameters ranging from 4.5 to 18 meters, these shafts can serve as launch and reception shafts for tunnelling operations, as access and ventilation shafts for traffic tunnels, or as service and access points for all kinds of underground structures. Furthermore, deep shafts can be used for underground storage facilities and automated parking solutions, in so-called U-Park systems. The VSM technology has been in operation in countless projects worldwide, covering the overall range of inner-city applications. Another focus of VSM is the mining industry, which is increasingly considering the VSM technology for the mechanized construction of deep shafts and pre-shafts for the exploration of deposits. Featuring speaker: Julian Binder, Product Manager VSM Born in 1997 in Herbolzheim, Germany Julian Binder holds a degree in Industrial Engineering. In 2023, he joined Herrenknecht AG, where he began his career in the Business Development Department of the Utility Tunnelling Business Unit, focusing on the Energy sector. In 2024, he was appointed Product Manager for Vertical Shaft Sinking Machines (VSM). In this role, he is responsible for advancing mechanized shaft sinking technology and assessing its potential for application in international underground infrastructure projects. | Register HERE! |
| Sep 04, 2025 | Virtual - Teams | TAC/High Commission of Canada in India Tunnelling Discussion - Webinar Webinar Canadian Tunnel Technologies Delegation to India 2025 and Tunneling Asia Conference 2025 10:00 AM EDT, Thursday, 4 September 2025 The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service invites you to join a webinar on the Canadian Tunnel Technologies Delegation to India that will take place this December. Join industry experts to explore opportunities in India’s tunnelling infrastructure sector and hear from a leading international company about their business experience in India. Learn how the Trade Commissioner Service supports Canadian companies in advancing their commercial interests in India. Webinar Highlights If you are a Canadian company with expertise in the following areas and more, come participate: If you are interested to present a paper / case study at Tunneling Asia Conference 2025 and to know more about the India market, please contact: Ms. Paayel Kalra, Trade Commissioner (Paayel.kalra@international.gc.ca) RSVP for webinar at: Atul Kumar, Trade Coordinator Atul.Kumar@international.gc.ca | Webinar- Canadian Tunnel Technologies Delegation to India 2025 Contact Atul.Kumar@international.gc.ca |
| Sep 18, 2025 | Lone Star Texas Grill, 930 Dixon Rd, Toronto, Ontario | TAC Ontario Talk: Lower Carbon & Cost in Sprayed Concrete Tunnelling Join the TAC Ontario Chapter for our upcoming September Presentation Event, "Lower Carbon & Cost in Sprayed Concrete Tunnelling" with ROSS DIMMOCK, NORMET VICE PRESIDENT – TUNNELLING. Talk Title Lower Carbon & Cost in Sprayed Concrete Tunnelling Abstract This presentation offers a perspective on advancing sustainability in sprayed concrete tunnelling. While sprayed concrete is essential for safe and rapid ground support, its production is carbon-intensive due to high cement use, steel reinforcement, diesel-powered machinery, and waste from over-excavation and over-spraying. To address these challenges, a holistic approach is needed, combining material innovation, equipment electrification, and digitalisation. On the materials side, progress is being made with low- and ultra-low carbon mixes, enabled by cement replacement strategies and chemical accelerators that provide early-age strength. Laboratory-scale spraying systems now allow rapid testing and scale-up of new binder technologies for tunnel applications. Electrification of tunnelling equipment, particularly battery-electric vehicles, offers more than 95% reductions in CO₂ emissions when powered by renewable energy. These technologies also improve health and safety by removing diesel particulates and heat, while reducing operational costs. Digital tools, including smart scanning, automated spraying, and digital twins, further enhance efficiency by ensuring accurate profiles, reducing waste, and supporting a future optimising real-time monitoring and operator assistance. Case studies from Norway, the UK, India, and Australia demonstrates innovative approaches such as spray-applied waterproof membranes and thin lining systems. Ultimately, carbon and cost reduction go hand in hand, making sustainable tunnelling both environmentally and economically viable. ROSS DIMMOCK Biography Ross has over 37 years’ of tunnelling experience primarily relating to the design and construction of permanent sprayed concrete linings for urban underground infrastructure projects. Over the last 14 years he has been with the Finnish company Normet, and currently is the Vice President for their Tunnelling business, having a focus on steering the tunnelling industry towards more sustainable solutions. Through leading roles and exposure to the many facets of the international tunnelling industry, Ross has acquired a valuable, well-rounded “End to end” perspective of this challenging industry. He fully appreciates the technical demands of modern tunnel projects, and the need to establish a healthy balance between risk management and value engineering activities to determine the best outcomes. Ross actively contributes to numerous industry standards and best practice guidelines on its further development and related technologies, with his recent focus on sustainable tunnelling. Ross is the chairman of the ITAtech Activity Group focused on new technologies for tunnel waterproofing and more efficient lining design. He also is a Board Member for the newly formed SubSpace Energy Hub based in Switzerland, focusing on low carbon tunnelling and underground green energy storage. Registration coming soon! | Register HERE! |
| Sep 24, 2025 | University of Alberta Faculty Club (11435 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G9) | TAC Alberta Chapter Talk: Geological and Geotechnical Conditions for Microtunneling in Jacko Lake Wednesday, Sep 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM to Thursday, Sep 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM MST University of Alberta Faculty Club, 11435, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2C5, Canada. Topic: Geological and Geotechnical Conditions for Microtunneling in Jacko Lake Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Presenter: Bertus Vos, MBA, P.Eng, Principal Engineer, BlueFox Engineering Location: University of Alberta Faculty Club (11435 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G9) Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Registration Cost: $10 - TAC Members $20 - Non-members $5 - Students Presentation Overview: The Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP) extends from Edmonton, Alberta, to the Westridge Marine Terminal and the Chevron refinery in Burnaby, British Columbia. The expansion is essentially a twinning of this existing 1,150 km pipeline and involves the construction of 980 km of new pipeline, 193 km of reactivated pipeline, 12 new pump stations, 19 new tanks, and three new berths. The Jacko Lake area along the TMEP alignment, located in Kamloops, British Columbia, was identified by Indigenous groups as a spiritual and sacred location. To minimize surface disturbance, the new pipeline installation in the Jacko Lake area was completed with trenchless technologies, including microtunneling and horizontal directional drilling. The geotechnical investigations for the trenchless design and construction in the Jacko Lake area included geological and geotechnical background study, detailed geotechnical site investigation and geophysical surveys, geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring, and extensive laboratory testing programs. Challenging geological conditions included rock of varying strength and fracturing, clay, sand and gravel layers under muskeg terrain, and fault zones along the tunnel alignment. This presentation provides an overview of the geological and geotechnical conditions for the microtunnelling design and construction in the Jacko Lake area. | Register HERE! |
| Nov 16-18, 2025 | Vancouver, B.C. | 2025 TAC Workshop: Health and Safety in Tunnelling We are excited to announce the TAC Workshop on Health & Safety in the Canadian Tunnelling Industry, set to take place from November 15-18, 2025, in Vancouver, B.C.! The 3-day hybrid workshop will focus on the critical topic of safety in tunnelling through engaging sessions that explore real-world challenges and innovations in the field. Whether you're in engineering, construction, regulation, legal, or insurance, this is the event to attend. We hope to see you in 2025 to experience the best that TAC and Vancouver, British Columbia, have to offer! Registration is OPEN! See all the Workshop details including the preliminary program on the event website: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVEDFJBGYXABH/home | Visit the Workshop Website |
| May 15-21, 2026 | Montréal, Québec, Canada | The WORLD TUNNEL CONGRESS 2026: Montréal Planning is underway for the WTC 2026! Get excited to join us in Montréal to meet high-profile leaders, decision-makers, and influencers from around the world. The Call for Abstracts will be launched in March 2025 followed by Registration in June 2025. In the meantime, be sure to join the conversation! We are excited to launch the www.wtc2026.ca website, distribution list as well as the World Tunnel Congress 2026 (WTC 2026) LinkedIn page! These platforms will keep you updated on all things related to the World Tunnel Congress in Montréal, including the theme "Connecting Communities through Underground Infrastructure / Connecter les communautés au moyen d'infrastructures souterraines." Stay tuned for the latest news, insights, and opportunities to engage with fellow tunnelling enthusiasts in 2026! Let’s connect and shape the future of our industry together! Exhibitor & Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit the event website for all the details! | https://wtc2026... |
| Jul 20, 2026 | Copper Creek Golf Club (11191 Highway 27, Kleinburg, ON. L0J 1C0) | SAVE THE DATE - TAC Ontario Chapter 2026 Golf Tournament Join the TAC Ontario Chapter for its 3rd annual golf event in 2026 at the Copper Creek Golf Club. Show your skills with the club and ball and enjoy a relaxed evening with industry colleagues. Space is limited (only 70 slots available). Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Details: - Monday, July 20, 2026 - Copper Creek Golf Club (11191 Highway 27, Kleinburg, ON. L0J 1C0) Registration will open in early Spring 2026. Registration includes: • Golf fees and dinner. • 18 Holes of Golf including Power Carts, Short Game Driving Range, Locker Room Usage, and Scoring • Dinner menu: will be sent by email for selection upon registration. --- Be a part of our event – get in touch about a sponsorship opportunity! • Bronze sponsorship - $1,000 (includes 1 free entry) • Gold sponsorship - $2,000 (includes 2 free entries) • Platinum sponsorship - $4,000 (includes 4 free entries) Sponsors will be recognized on the course and the TAC website. Get in touch with admin@tunnelcanada.ca today! |
