In 1973 the Institution of Engineers Australia (now Engineers Australia) and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) collaborated in the formation of the Australian Tunnelling Association. It is a professional organization of engineers and other skilled professionals committed to the maintenance of high standards and the expansion of technical and scientific knowledge pertaining to tunnel construction.[1]
In 1981 the Australian Tunnelling Association became the Australian Underground Construction and Tunnelling Association (AUCTA), operating as a technical society sponsored by Engineers Australia and AusIMM under status approved by the Councils of both organisations. In 2005 a New Zealand Chapter of the Technical Society was formed, and to better reflect its international membership, AUCTA changed its name to the Australasian Tunnelling Society (ATS)[2].[citation needed]
