In the realm of tunneling expertise, one name stands out prominently – Arnold Dix. Currently serving as the President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association in Geneva, Arnold Dix is not just a tunneling expert; his cap bears many feathers, including those of a geologist, engineer, and lawyer.
With a Science and Law Degree from Monash University in Melbourne, Arnold Dix’s profile on arnolddix.com proudly labels him as an “accomplished lawyer.” The website emphasizes his focused legal, scientific, and engineering approach, driven by the uncertainty of the future and the illusion of hindsight wisdom.
Over his illustrious three-decade career, Arnold Dix has played diverse roles, primarily centered around underground safety. His commitment extends beyond professional realms, as evidenced by his volunteer work at the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) from 2016 to 2019, where he contributed to developing responses for underground incidents.
In 2020, Arnold Dix collaborated with Lord Robert Mair and Peter Vickery QC to establish Underground Works Chambers. Through this venture, he offers technical and regulatory solutions to address complex, novel, and mission-critical challenges in underground spaces.
However, Arnold Dix’s recent spotlight comes from his pivotal role in the successful rescue mission of 41 construction workers trapped inside Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel. On Tuesday morning, he joined hands with local spiritual leaders in a prayer for the safe evacuation of the workers. Remarkably, Dix’s earlier commitment to bringing the workers home “by Christmas” was fulfilled well ahead of schedule, with the successful evacuation on Tuesday evening.
Praising the progress of the rescue operation as “fantastic,” Arnold Dix highlighted the efficiency of tools like the plasma cutter in speeding up the cutting process. The culmination of the 17-day efforts by the rescue team saw all 41 workers safely evacuated from the tunnel. Following initial medical check-ups, ambulances transported them to a hospital for further examination, bringing a triumphant end to a challenging rescue mission. Arnold Dix’s multifaceted expertise and leadership played a crucial role in this remarkable achievement.
