Andy A. Afrouz

BIOGRAPHY OF ANDY A. AFROUZ: ABOUT ANDY A. AFROUZ: A retired engineer, after about 50 years work worldwide. Andy leads and advocates a moderate, simple, and healthy life. He keeps distance from domains of politics and religions. Observing lifelong exceptional practices of his educator parents of essence, especially a role model twice education gold medalist mother, Andy has tremendous appreciation for valuable contributions of women to societies, and emphasis on positive utilization of higher education for future generation.

Andy has a BS in Mining Engineering from UK, an MS in Mining Engineering with emphasis on Rock Mechanics from the USA, a Post-MS from the USA on Exploration and Exploitation of Energy Fuels, and a PhD from Britain with specialty on Rock Mechanics and Ground Control for Mining Excavations.

Andy was a past member of the Association of Mining Engineers in Australia, Britain, Canada, USA, and few other countries. He was also a member of the International Society of Rock Mechanics with a1973 researched publication with them from Vienna, Austria entitled "Rheology of rocks within soft to medium strength range". Moreover, Andy was a Certified Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada and Australia. His professional experiences were in Britain, Canada, France, Iran, Namibia, USA, and Zambia. Some of which were on short assignments, projects, research or consulting as follows:

*** WORKED on all levels of Mining Engineering in Surface and Underground Mines; soft rock and hard rock Mining of coal, copper, gilsonite, gravel, iron, lead, lignite, limestone, magnesium, magnetite, oil shale, peat, phosphate, Petroleum, sandstone, silica sand, thorium, travertine, uranium and zinc. Andy has worked for the State of Washington Community Corrections Department, USA.

*** RESEARCH, DESIGN, MANAGEMENT, and CONSULTING in the above noted Mines, including:

(1) Hands-on Mine Management Training for 3 years in UK, in all shifts with about 3,500 multi-professional staffs comprising of various union worker affiliations.

(2) Time dependent stability measurements and analysis of ground along a river bank in UK, pre-construction for two-story residential buildings with planned armored concrete slab foundations.

(3) Innovative recycling of iron ore wastes, for recovery of iron and other elements, for the American Steel Company.

(4) Made super thin diaphragms from various metals for a USA high-altitude atmospheric pressure monitoring device.

(5) A novel Tertiary Recovery Method to extend production of Petroleum Reserves, after various Secondary Recovery Production Methods exhausted.

(6) An environmentally friendly method for recovery of Gold, Precious and Rare Minerals from their processed wastes by eliminating use of mercury, arsenic or harmful chemicals.

(7) Technical Director for 5 Mining companies with different products under umbrella of one organization, during a challenging period in Iran.

*** TAUGHT full-time and part-time Mining Engineering courses for 9 Universities and Colleges worldwide, and was Head of the Mining Engineering Department in one. Andy taught the following core Mining Engineering subjects:

(1) Undergraduate courses on Mine Feasibility Studies and Development; Surface Mining Methods and Design; Underground Mining Methods and Design; Rock Mechanics; Drilling and Blasting; Materials Handling; Mine Ventilation, Environmental Control and Reclamation.

(2) Graduate courses on Innovative Designs for Drilling and Blasting in Mines; Advanced Rock Mechanics and behavior; Ground Control to provide stability and safety for surface and underground Excavations, by utilizing innovative and cost-effective designs for: Ground Reinforcements; Natural Supports; Static, Mobile, and Artificial Supports, with emphasis on static, dynamic, passive, and active Mining conditions.

*** PUBLICATIONS, about 42 worldwide (37 Technical, 4 Novels, and a Children's Book). Information on some of the Andy's books can be accessed in “www.Facebook.com/ Andy A. Afrouz”, by clicking on images of their front cover which are displayed in the left column of this page. Some of them are as follows:

1- A CHILDREN’S BOOK, inspired by and co-authored with his Grandchild, entitled "Bundle of Joy"; Xlibris Publishers, USA; 49 pages with colorful images (2020).

2- A FAMILY ORIENTED ROMANTIC NOVEL, entitled "Ways of Hearts"; Xlibris Publishers, USA; 222 pages (2019).

3- An ACTION THRILLER entitled "WHY?"; Xlibris Publishers, USA; 84 pages (2018).

4- A SCIENCE FICTION, entitled "UNEXPECTED"; Xlibris Publishers, USA; 219 pages (2016).

5- IN EXCAVATION ENGINEERING, entitled "Engineering Design aspects in Geomechanics and Ground Control for Mining and other Excavations"; Xlibris Publishers, USA; 773 pages (2015).

6- A THRILLER NUCLEAR SPY NOVEL, entitled "To What End?!"; Xlibris Publishers, USA; 774 pages (2014).

7- IN GEO-MECHANICS, ROCK-MECHANICS and GROUND CONTROL, entitled "Practical Handbook of Rock Mass Classification Systems and Modes of Ground Failure"; CRC Press/ Taylor and Francis Publishers, USA; 195 pages (1992).

8- IN MINING ENGINEERING, entitled "Blasting in Mines"; Mighat Publishers; 482 pages (1985).

Andy is interested in science, technology, music, nature, animal psychology and behavior, space and planetary exploration. He wishes the best of health, safety and happiness for all. Love and peace on Earth