Environmental and ground engineering consultancy Golder Associates (UK) has acquired 100% share equity of Rock Mechanics Technology (RMT). Based in Bretby, Derbyshire, UK, RMT is a highly qualified and experienced team of internationally renowned rock mechanics and geotechnical specialists providing consultancy services to the mining and civil engineering industries. The acquisition of this rock and geotechnical engineering focused technical consultancy sits squarely inside Golder Associates’ core business and means that Golder UK’s mining team has now doubled in size, bringing further expertise and strengthening global capabilities in the mining sector.

RMT has a solid background and reputation in the UK coal industry and is seen as an industry leader by both regulators and the coal industry. RMT employs 25 people and provides specialist services across three business areas (consultancy, research and instrumentation) to a range of clients across UK, Europe and worldwide including in Canada, South Africa, India, Australia and China.

Julian Jones Managing Director of Golder Associates UK says “there is no doubt that RMT will have a very positive impact on not only Golder here in the UK but also our mining group across Europe with positive implications and possibilities further afield within Golder globally.

“The skill set of this specialist mining team is closely aligned with Golder’s skill set associated with geotechnics and mining.  Within our global mining sector (which is our largest sector) there is a stated desire to become more involved in the coal market. The acquisition of RMT, with its recognised presence in the coal sector both in the UK and overseas, will allow Golder to develop and expand its capability and presence in this market.  Existing RMT and Golder clients will benefit from the resulting synergies of these two specialist companies.

RMT director Peter Altounyan says, “This is an exciting opportunity for both our people and clients. Joining Golder Associates will enable us to offer our UK and international clients a broader range of consultancy services offered by the global strength of Golder as well as our team bringing specialist skills into the business. We are delighted to be joining Golder and look forward to growing and developing our specialist skills further over the coming years.”

Initially RMT will retain its identity and will be run as a wholly owned subsidiary of Golder Associates (UK). Over the course of the next two years the RMT brand will be integrated progressively into the Golder brand.