IRENE CHAN

Principal Geotechnical Engineer at PSM with over 25 years’ experience in a wide range of geotechnical-related fields. These include civil and hydrologic design and construction, geotechnical and tunnel design and construction, as well as open pit mining design, construction and operation. Irene’s breadth of experience, both technical and in-field, gives her a unique insight into how water, soil and rock interact with many types of infrastructure and the environment.

Since joining PSM, Irene has been involved in major mining projects such as Waihi (New Zealand) and Lihir (Papua New Guinea) gold mines, as well as coal mines in the Hunter Valley and in Victoria. She has also been involved in major tunnelling projects in Sydney, such as the Rozelle Interchange, Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport, WestConnex (M4 East), Lane Cove Tunnel and the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link. 

Between 2014 and 2015, Irene co-authored a coal industry guideline for the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia. She continues to work in the Latrobe Valley mines today and is currently assisting in the mine rehabilitation design process.

Over the last decade, Irene has specialised in the management and delivery of major infrastructure projects in both the mining and tunnelling construction sectors.

Irene holds a Masters in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). She has also undertaken postgraduate studies on construction arbitration and has a Bachelor of Arts degree. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia.

Irene is highly regarded for her ability to communicate complex issues to technical and non-technical stakeholders, and for her generous mentorship, continually guiding and upskilling the next generation of engineers.

Irene’s fields of competence include:

• Open-pit slope design and management, including soil and rock slope stability, mine remediation and operation support.
• Rock tunnelling projects, tunnel support design, construction advice and management
• Deformation impacts to infrastructure, design and remediation monitoring and instrumentation
• Design of retaining structures and excavation support
• Foundation engineering and construction earthworks
• Geo-environmental site investigations for civil and infrastructure projects.
• Management of geotechnical and construction risks on the delivery of major infrastructure projects.