A Case Study Of Slope Stabiltity At The Chuquicamata Mine, Chile

The instrumentation, monitoring, and prediction of a major slope failure at the Chuquicamata mine are described. In December 1967, pre-existing tension cracks on the south end of the east wall of the Chquicamata mine began to open. Various forms of instrumentation were installed for continuous monitoring. These systems included tension crack stakes, crack extensometers, linear extensometers, tape and transit lines, sliding wire contacts, and a seismograph. From the information obtained, the failure date was accurately predicted some five weeks before failure, enabling the mine to reroute truck and rail access; hence, causing a minimal mine shutdown of two and one-half days and preventing any injuries to persons or damage to equipment. The shape and form of the sliding mass are analyzed, as are the possible modes of failure.