Value Creation in an Open Cast Strip Mine Through Geotechnical Processes

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_51How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Slope design; Total probability of failure; Risk analysis

Abstract

Various geotechnical investigations are conducted to define rock mass properties which assist geotechnical engineers in understanding the level of variability within the rock mass and allow for uncertainty to be minimised during the design of rock slopes. Middelburg Mine Services previously experienced various slope failures and related rock falls, leading to injury, property damage, and production losses. Investigations into slope failures revealed that, although detailed geotechnical models form the basis for slope design and slope stability analysis, design within Middelburg Mine Services was not based on such models. As a result, the design and stability analysis processes are often highly dependent on local experience and rules of thumb. A new pit, the KE project, was used as a case study to determine whether conducting geotechnical investigations improves slope design and stability analysis processes. After collecting geotechnical data, the study entailed implementing kinematic, limit equilibrium and numerical modelling stability analysis methods. The probability of failure from stability analysis formed a basis for the design risk assessment. A risk-based design demonstrated that the original KE design was very conservative and that the subsequent optimised design is within the acceptable safety and economic risk evaluation criteria. In addition, this case study demonstrated that value is created by conducting geotechnical investigations, allowing for a risk-based design for highwall and low-wall slopes. This value created was translated to significant cost-saving and improved productivity.

Copyright

© 2023 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - N. Netshivhazwaulu
AU  - T. R. Stacey
PY  - 2023
DA  - 2023/11/08
TI  - Value Creation in an Open Cast Strip Mine Through Geotechnical Processes
BT  - Proceedings of the Rocscience International Conference  (RIC 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 534
EP  - 556
SN  - 2589-4943
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_51
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-258-3_51
ID  - Netshivhazwaulu2023
ER  -