**About the Editor**

**A.J.S. (Sam) Spearing** works in the School of Mines at China University of Mining & Technology and is an Adjunct Professor at the Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University, where he was the Director. He has extensive underground mining design and support experience and focuses on risk and safety. He has co-invented seven products that are routinely used in mines and has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in addition to several books and book chapters. He has both industry and academic experience.
