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By Heidecks C

Sub-level stoping with consolidated rockfill is the main method for mining steep dipping baryte and fluorite veins in Germany. Drifting is fully mechanised using drill jumbos, LHD units and shotcrete support. Stopes have heights up to 50 m with sub-level distances up to 15 m. Winning of the pillars between sub-levels is done by longhole blasting in slices of 3-5 m length on strike. Mucking is done on the lowermost level by LHD units. After each blast rockfill with binder (cement and/or fly ash) is dumped into the scope from the uppermost level. Economic success depends on both geological and technical parameters and factors, eg vein thickness and dip, ore grade, size and distance of sub-level drifts. Of particular influence are ore loss in pillar winning and dilution both in drifting on vein and in pillar mining. A comprehensive computer program has been developed for calculating the total cost per tonne run-of-mine ore respectively per tonne of concentrate for a single stope. The cost model includes development, longhole blasting, mucking and haulage to the mill, milling and ventilation. All costs (labour, energy, supplies, maintenance, depreciation and capital cost) are taken into account. Dilution and recovery are both considered. The program can be used to estimate the cost of mining a particular stope. It can also be used to investigate the influence of relevant parameters and factors on the economic result. By this way it should be possible to optimise the technical design of a stope.

Jan 1, 1995

By Golab K, Partridge AC, Fletcher CAJ, Holtham P

Spiral concentrators are used globally in the fine coal processing industry to segregate particles, by gravitation, on the basis of density and size. Consisting of an open trough that twists vertically downwards about a central axis, a slurry mix of particles and water is fed to the top of the concentrator. Particles are then separated radially as they gravitate downward. Since their introduction to Australia in the 1940's, the generic design has evolved largely by laboratory trial-and-error investigations of different prototypes. However, this approach has proven expensive and optimal designs have not been necessarily developed. Accordingly, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis has been used recently as an alternative method of investigation, to assume as is envisaged, a role in the design process. To date, CFD models have progressed to simulations of turbulent fluid flow on current production spiral designs, and are continuing to be adapted for inclusion of particles at realistic feed concentrations. To be able to use the models confidently however, laboratory experiments must also be performed to validate the predictions during the development stage. This paper reports the current findings of an ongoing CFD and experimental program applied to one spiral unit. Satisfactory quantitative agreement has been achieved for the fluid and particulate flow characteristics, and although further validations are appropriate, the model already possesses significant potential for use as a reliable predictive design tool.

Jan 1, 1998

By D Kay, M Lovitt

Mass Blasts are generally required at the completion of longhole stoping cycles to maximise the recovery of ore from a specific orebody. During the course of mining, the practice is to leave pillars of ore to support the opening left by extracted ore and to mitigate stresses from working areas of the stope. These pillars usually contain ore that has been included in the resource evaluation and is highly valuable to the mining operation. Due to their stressed nature, the removal of pillars by conventional blasting techniques, through small blasts, can result in pillars being reduced beyond their critical size and ultimately failing, rendering the ore unrecoverable. The AurionGold Kanowna Belle Gold Mine operates a Mine to Mill philosophy. This philosopy requires the fine tuning of blasting to provide the best possibe ore feed at the highest grade for mill productivity. This means that ore to the mill must be well fragmented from blasting that provides high extraction rates from draw points, with minimal dilution from overbreak or fall off, and sized to maximise SAG mill throughput. The AT04 Mass Blast contained significant ore reserves which were required to meet gold production targets. KBGB needed the AT04 Mass Blast to perform as well as if not better than conventional stope blasts to maintain mill production. This paper describes the circumstances, planning philosophy, techniques, including the use of Electronic Initiation Systems and Bulk Emulsion Explosives, and results that provided a highly successful outcome.

Jan 1, 2002

By D Giles, A C. Bailey

In the first 20 years of the 21st century, just over 20 per cent of Australian mineral exploration expenditure was dedicated to iron ore, totalling >A$8 billion and >30 million metres of drilling (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021). Improvements in the cost, efficiency, safety, reliability and data quality of drilling have the potential to deliver significant productivity improvements, increasing the probability of discovery and reducing the time from discovery to mining. Currently in its third year of research, Mineral Exploration Cooperative Research Centre (MinEx CRC) is focused on a new set of exploration tools and new ways to deploy those tools which recognise the fundamental importance of collecting quantity and quality data from the subsurface, to enable exploration success for all minerals, including iron ore. MinEx CRC is focused on developing more productive, safer and environmentally friendly drilling methods to discover and drill-out deposits. This includes pioneering work on Coil Tube (CT) drilling technology and innovations in Diamond and Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling techniques aimed at improved drilling optimisation and automation. In parallel, MinEx is developing new technologies for collecting data whilst drilling. This is being undertaken in four separate industry-led projects utilising geophysical, seismic, downhole analytical and 3-dimensional (3D) modelling improvements. A National Drilling Initiative (NDI) is also underway, with two drilling programs completed in 2020. The NDI is a world-first collaboration of Geological Surveys, researchers and industry, which undertakes drilling in under-explored areas of potential mineral wealth in Australia and provides a test-bed for new mineral exploration technologies.

Nov 8, 2021

By A Penney, M J. Pascoe, R M. Stephenson

The empirical McCracken and Stacey stability and risk assessment method has been in use for more than 20 years to assess geotechnical stability issues for raise bored shafts. The methodology has been applied with various levels of success. Increasingly, trends in mining and civil tunnelling have been towards larger diameter, single pass, raise bored shafts to rapidly provide means of ventilation, material movement (ore passes), or emergency egress. Identifying and assessing potentially problematic zones before raise boring commences can allow for appropriate risk-based decisions on construction, or to investigate alternative solutions. The implementation of a proactive solution to raising through an identified weak zone is preferred to the application of an engineered solution to an area subjected to substantial instability or failure. Methods for investigating potentially problematic areas are discussed in this paper based on AMC’s benchmarking data. Proactive investigation programmes resulting from these investigations are also discussed. Previous publications discussing the benchmarking data have concentrated on Australian case studies. Increased efforts and recent updates have been made to expand the database to include international case studies. This has provided further refinement of lower bound ‘raise bore rock quality index’ (QR) values, and various rock mass parameters for stability assessments. CITATION:Penney, A, Stephenson, R M and Pascoe, M J, 2018. Raise bore stability and risk assessment empirical database update, in Proceedings The Fourth Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference (AusRock), pp 434–445 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 30, 2018

By Ho SE, Neil Phillips G, Houstoun SM

There are numerous individual gold deposits in the Archaean greenstone belts of Western Australia, but only 26 have productions and/or quoted reserves in excess of 10 tonnes Au. Most gold production has come from mineralization in shear zones, quartz veins or stockworks in volcanic or intrusive host rocks, particularly tholeiitic basalts or dolerites metamorphosed at sub-amphibolite facies (e.g. Kalgoorlie). Significant prod- uction has also come from BIF-hosted deposits (e.g. Hill 50), and large reserves are quoted for mafic hosts at high metamorphic grade (e.g. Big Bell). Most deposits have marked structural control, great depth extension, and are characterized by zoned alteration haloes of pyritization (with Au), K-metasomatism and carbonation. On the regional scale, most larger volcanic- or intrusive-hosted deposits occur in younger (ca 2.8 b.y.) rift-phase green- stones (Norseman-Wiluna Belt). These belts also have a high prospectivity (36 kg Au/km2 of greenstone belt). Younger (ca 3.0 b.y.) and older (ca 3.5 b.y.) platform-phase green stones of the Murchison and Sodthern Cross Provinces and the east Pilbara, respectively, are progressively less prospective (14 kg Au/km2 and 0.8 kg Au/km2, respectively) and also have progressively smaller deposits. The important regional- and local-scale characteristics of most gold deposits can be explained in terms of a metamorphic- replacement model. In this model, metamorphic H2O-CO2 fluids, focussed by faults and shear zones, infiltrated host rocks and deposit gold at 350 + 50¦C and 1-2 kb, largely in response to fluid-wallrock interaction. In many large deposits, gold precipitation was synchronous with sulphidation of Fe-rich host rocks, but the diversity and abundance of smaller deposits reflects the variety of reactions precipitating gold from ubiquitous, auriferous metamorphic fluids. Regional variations in abundance and size of deposits relate to factors such as tectonic setting, alteration styles and possibly source rocks.

Jan 1, 1986

The Northparkes E26 Mine is AustraliaÆs first block cave mine. This paper presents an outline of the design and construction philosophies that drove the project development and details the excavation, ground support and construction methods used. Features of the block caving method at Northparkes include:high production rates from multiple drawpoints;hard blocky ore fractured along gypsum veins; andloading/unloading of openings due to mining induced stresses.The drawpoints are subjected to high abrasion from the flow of ore, as well as impact from both secondary blasting and from the production LHDs. In order to withstand these harsh conditions and to ensure a low maintenance environment, a conservative approach to ground support was taken. The experiences gained during construction are discussed and whether the design expectations have been achieved. By installing a high level of ground support during excavation of the openings subject to mining stresses, a low maintenance environment has been constructed. Operating costs are therefore minimised and Northparkes E26 Mine continues to produce at the lowest cost per tonne of all Australian underground mines.

Jan 1, 1999

By S H. Sie, R Seetharam, K Naito, T Takagi

Tin-polymetallic vein type deposits are one of the major source of metal producers in the Circum Pacific Belt. This type of deposit is of great importance for the modem electronics and medical industries because of their high content of rare metals (especially indium and bismuth). We have studied two representatives, Tosham of India (Cu-In-Bi-Sn-W-Ag-Au), and Mount Pleasant of Canada (Zn-Cu-In-Bi-Sn-W), using proton and electron microprobes in order to delineate the distribution of medicallhigh-tech rare metals. The electron microprobe study showed that major indium carrier in such type of deposit are roquesite (CulnS2), sphalerite, stannite and a Cu-Zn-Fe-In-Sn-S mineral; and that indium is incorporated in sulfides by coupled substitution like Cu + In = 2(Zn + Fe). The proton microprobe showed that indium at trace levels is also present in chalcopyrite and pyrite. In addition, zinc, copper, arsenic, antimony, selenium, tin, and bismuth are common in chalcopyrite and pyrite. Arsenopyrite contains nickel, copper, zinc, silver, tin, antimony and bismuth. In chalcopyrite and pyrite, zinc, arsenic, indium, bismuth and lead are higher in Mount Pleasant ore, but silver is higher at Tosham. Also thallium and gold were found only in Tosham pyrite. The Tosham deposit is genetically related to S-type magma, while the Mount Pleasant deposit is related to A-type granite. Tosham ore contains zinc-bearing biotites that coexist with chalcopyrite in ore bodies but Mount Pleasant ore lacks such biotite. We propose that the difference in elemental abundance between the two deposits are caused by the different character of source magma and different mineral associations of the ore body.

Jan 1, 1995

By P Christen, D R. Ashley, G R. Power

The Ernest Henry Mine is currently a copper-gold open pit operation situated in north-west Queensland, Australia. It is owned and operated by Xstrata Copper with a current throughput of 11 million tonnes per annum; however, open pit operations are scheduled to cease in late 2011. The deposit dips at approximately 45¦ and extends for at least another 400 vertical metres below the final 530 m deep pit design. Resource drilling from 2002 until mid 2008 has enabled an Indicated Mineral Resource to be established to 1000 m below surface. Scoping and prefeasibility studies (PFS) have been completed toward determining if this resource is suitable for underground mining and a feasibility study is currently progressing with a sublevel caving (SLC) concept. This paper briefly describes the process by which the SLC method was selected, conclusions regarding the non-selected methods, and then discusses the optimisation process used to derive the mining plan. The key optimisation parameters include the production drive spacing, level spacing, draw strategy, cut-off grade and production rate. Key risks will then be assessed and economic sensitivities studied. Final sensitivities will use Monte Carlo simulations to improve the transparency of the projectÆs risk profile. The feasibility study (FS) began in March 2008 and this paper describes the main optimisation steps at the time of writing and outlines the plan for study completion through to March 2009.

Jan 1, 2009

By C D. Pocock

Maintaining catch berm capacity in open pit mines through controlled blasting prevents production delays associated with managing risks associated with wall instability. A method has been developed to quantify the drill hole deviation of presplit holes at Century Mine. Different controlled blasting techniques are used to control wall quality and decrease the risk. The performance of presplit drilling, in terms of deviation from design has been investigated. A methodology has been developed to quantify the drill hole deviation in three dimensions. This methodology was converted into a series of algorithms capable of handling an extensive range of data. The methodology was applied to a case study at Century Mine to evaluate the performance of drilling on two presplit blasts. Overall, 67 drill holes were investigated in the case study. The drill hole deviation was quantified in terms of three parameters: skewness, linearity and drill hole deviation parameter. Methods for quantifying each parameter were developed. Skewness, a measure of the amount of curvature and linearity, was defined as the measure of the consistency of the gradient of the drill hole. Drill hole deviation parameter is defined as the average measured deviation of the surveyed drill hole position from the design position. Acceptable drill hole deviation tolerances for each of the defined parameters were developed by analysing drill hole deviation parameters with respect to implications to catch berm capacity. Verification of the methodology was confirmed through the comparing of the completed drill hole deviation results using both visual inspection and cross analysis for each of the three methods. Holes with an R squared value of less than 0.97 for skewed deviation were classified as having skewed deviation, while holes with a difference in gradient of 3.5 were classified as having linear deviation. The results show that 76 per cent of the drill holes had deviation. Of this, 19 per cent were skewed, 57 per cent had linearity and 12 per cent contained both skewed and linearity deviation.

Nov 8, 2011

By D W. Evans

Research into the dynamic properties of ground support elements continues to grow at a global level, given the increasing importance of this field of application within underground hard rock mining. Measuring the mechanical response of such elements under the rapid onset of simulated rock burst loads forms the basis for this experimental work, typically utilising gravitational drop testing methods. This field of research is fundamentally driven by an increasing need for dynamic performance data, given the constant evolution of rock bolting product designs, materials selection, combination testing and specific application needs based on ground types and loading scenarios. A smaller number of globally recognised dynamic test facilities have predominantly lead research within this arena, typically in association with academic institutes, larger industry groups and government research institutes. However, due to the increasing requirement for dynamic performance data, additional facilities have now emerged in order to satisfy the overall demand for test work. These newer facilities are more typically associated with suppliers to the underground hard rock industry, with experimental designs looking to replicate, at least in part, the work of the primary facilities. For standardisation, repeatability and calibration purposes, the cross validation of test data between primary and secondary facilities becomes an obvious and important consideration across this field of research. This paper outlines the development of a new dynamic drop test facility for testing rock bolts, including the structural design and associated high speed data capture system. Based on the utilisation of identical bolt types, material grades, anchoring systems and decoupled ‘free-lengths’, comparative data has been generated to provide cross validation of the new test facility against data generated by a globally recognised primary facility. The cross validation of data provides increasing confidence in the repeatability and accuracy of the new facility as activity continues towards the provision of further experimental test work.

Nov 29, 2022

By O C. Aitken

Mining project developers are committed to taking on all the challenges and obligations of financial risk management. It is interesting that our current models of project finance have not changed markedly in principle for some 700 years, yet the rules which prepare the way for effective project assessment and subsequent loan management still do not seem to be well understood by project or corporate developers. Probability and gravity fill the opposing trays of the golden balance of financial risk. Understanding the relationship between these opposing, but intimately related elements is critically important for successful risk management. It is important to move beyond the qualitative approach and use quantitative methodologies to measure the financial impact of the occurrence of each major risk. We live in a world where the only constant is change and thus it is not surprising that a bankerÆs life is still governed by assessing, measuring and pricing risk. Banks are attracted to funding well managed companies with strong cash flow projects. But we are more risk averse compared with the credit appetites of late last century. This attitudinal shift has resulted in tougher term sheets for the early 21st century, encompassing more conditions, warranties, undertakings and stronger cash sweep provisions. Banks require well balanced portfolios to achieve an acceptable spread of risk, thus there is a more restricted market for small company lending than that available to large multi-project corporate entities with less concentrated risk profiles. Because of this focus, junior company debt finance remains comparatively expensive and especially so for more challenging geographical and political environments.

Jan 1, 2004

CHAPTER 1 - GENERALIn the introduction to this chapter a general account is given of the growth of the mining industry in Western Australia from J88G, when the output of gold for the whole State was only £1148, to 1908, when: the output had risen to £6,999,885. In 1903 the output reached £8,770,719.It is quite evident that the discovery of gold in Western Australia was the means of opening up the road to broader industrial expansion, and it is doubted if any other portion of the British Empire more clearly exemplifies the nation-building forces of metalliferous mining than this State.The chapter includes an account of the following situation and history of the field.CHAPTER 2 - GEOLOGYIn this chapter the classification of the rocks of Kalgoorlie, but particularly those on the Golden Mile, is considered. Each rock is described in detail, and microphotos are shown to indicate the most important features in each type. As far as the Golden Mile is concerned, it is held that, notwithstanding the general chemical and more or less dynamical metamorphism which the rocks have suffered, it is possible to divide them into six groups...

Jan 1, 1912

By C Dell

Hillgrove, situated on the New England plateau of New South Wales, is an area rich in history and resources. Key resources are predominantly antimony, gold and scheelite and the area surrounding the historical field is environmentally sensitive and topographically challenging. Since acquiring the Hillgrove leases, Straits Hillgrove Gold has undertaken a significant exploration program on these historical mining areas with the goal to return the field to production. This exploration program has enabled Straits to significantly increase the resource base and has subsequently enabled the planned redevelopment of Hillgrove to be realised. In October 2006, installation of mining infrastructure and the initial stripping of existing development had commenced. To successfully redevelop Hillgrove, Straits has had to adopt a highly mechanised, trackless, diesel mining operation which will see the production rate commence at an initial rate of 250 kt/a of ore from a narrow vein environment. This ore will be processed on site to produce antimony metal, gold bullion and a scheelite concentrate.

Jan 1, 2008

By J Coombes

"In today’s challenging climate of reduced staffing, limited funding and uncertain markets, we are called on to operate more productively and ‘be more innovative’. As an industry, we are quick to identify our practice areas as a mark of our role in the machinery of the mine value chain. We proudly note our profession – ‘geologist’, ‘mining engineer’ or ‘accountant’ – and demarcate our responsibilities and even our physical space. We even subdivide our disciplines into sacred entities such as ‘logging geologist’, ‘resource geologist’ or ‘structural geologist’ to prevent any blurring as though somehow the confusion will cost valuable disciplinary ground. How can we function professionally to heed the call to be more productive and more innovative?The purpose of this paper is to underscore what is expected from project evaluation, examine the ways in which we work as an industry and explore alternatives used in other industries and environments.The paper begins with a summary of project evaluation expectations and the ways in which disciplines typically interconnect when conducting project evaluations. Next, the paper examines alternative work frameworks and making a distinction between multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary frameworks. In-practice examples of these frameworks in alternative industries and contexts provide evidence for application as well as an opportunity to examine their pros and cons.The paper closes with a call to re-examine working practices in the mining industry, with a view to enhancing productivity and heeding the call for greater innovation.CITATION:Coombes, J, 2016. Transcending the mining discipline divide – multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary?, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2016, pp 2–10 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 8, 2016

By K Mayank, A N. Mainza, I Govender, M Narasimha, A Mittal

In mineral processing industries grinding is the most energy-consuming process. A tumbling mill is an essential grinding equipment widely used for particle size reduction. Power consumption, impact forces and trajectory paths are critical parameters for characterising a tumbling mill to determine grinding efficiency. The effect of lifters and mill speed plays a vital role in such parameters. However, most of the studies ignore the impact of the lifter and do not investigate the effect of slurry dynamics on charge motion. The focus of the present work is to prepare a computational model that can accurately predict the complex multi-phase dynamics of charge particles, air and slurry inside the mill using a model that couples computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM). The details of impact forces with lifter profiles and mill speed variations will be refined even further using the CFD-DEM coupling approach. The slurry-air free surface is modelled using the volume of fluid (VOF) method, and the charge motion is modelled using the DEM. The phases are coupled using the interface momentum exchange between the charge and the fluid slurry. The coupled model is validated against experimental results from the positron-emitting particle tracking (PEPT) data. The validated model compares the effect of slurry content on charge dynamics with the dry DEM model. The presence of slurry is observed to dampen the tangential and shear contact forces.

Aug 24, 2022

By T Isaksson, J Anderson

The procurement process for underground construction contracts, in particular those contacts involving tunnel boring machines (TBMs), is subject to many complex and inter-related variables, including national and local politics, public policy, community involvement and media attention û as well as strict environmental and legal requirements. Other restrictions include the time available to adequately investigate geotechnical conditions and viable technical options to determine the best construction methodologies û including selection of tunnel boring machine characteristics and, those construction means and methods suitable for the specific geotechnical and environmental conditions. The latter are, most often, quite imperfectly understood. æGetting it rightÆ implies that an optimal configuration û of machine type, characteristics and associated methodologies û can be found and successfully implemented for a particular project. æFrom the beginningÆ implies that the lack of time issue can be successfully resolved. Within an international context this paper highlights a number of issues of concern which relate to tunnel procurement systems and the ways in which certain key processes are managed during planning, design and construction. The authors argue that there is considerable room for improvement in the way tunnelling projects are undertaken and an approach is discussed which has the potential for substantial gains in cost and schedule and reduction of risk. Savings, however, may only be fully realised if the new methods can be fully implemented by all parties involved. This, we believe, will require the rejection of ætraditionalÆ forms of management and procurement with associated changes in the roles and responsibilities of owner, engineer and contractor. Additionally, risk identification, assessment and mitigation are essential cost and schedule control process which have, to this point, been underutilised by the underground construction industry.

Jan 1, 1999

By J Johansson, J Lööw

Attractive mining workplaces are good, safe and healthy environments. They are also workplaces that the workforce of the future wants to work in. As skilled miners and engineers are already scarce, this is important both for today and for the future. However, the future of mining will also be subject to increased international competition. In attempting to become more competitive, many mining companies turn to rationalisation, looking to both rationalise their production and organisation as well as optimise their processes. Work organisation is important in both rationalisation and providing attractive mining work. As a result, this paper investigates a ‘lean production’ (LP) philosophy for the organisation of future mines. The aim of the paper is to investigate to what extent LP can be used to organise for attractive mining. It first defines what attractive mining work is and to what degree it can be influenced by work organisation. A short insight into the LP concept will be given as well as a review of how it is discussed and utilised in mining today. In conclusion, a summary of LP’s potential to realise future attractive mining is given.CITATION:Lööw, J and Johansson, J, 2015. Work organisation for attractive mining – lean mining and the working environment, in Proceedings Third International Future Mining Conference, pp 197–204 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 4, 2015

By A A. Roberts, R F. Dewhirst

"Extensive literature surveys, research in the project environment and personal experiences both within and consulting to project teams have revealed some consistent ‘people factors’ that contribute most to ultimate project success. Outside of purely technical and business case issues, there are a small number of leadership characteristics – probably only ten – that if correctly applied can positively leverage a team’s impact on project success.Of the top seven project success characteristics that were consistently highly rated in a recent study, five of them were around leadership. The authors have focused on this topic, noting that good leaders need to display the following traits:passionate commitment to deliveryconsistent modelling and reinforcement of correct values and behaviourfocus on managing relationships well and energising teams and individualscarefully clarifying project vision from front-end loading stages onwardseffective decision making.Not every project manager can and does practise these behaviours all of the time, but being aware of them and receiving training or facilitation in improving their application of these skills can equip project managers with the essential tools to markedly improve their own performance and that of their teams.This paper draws upon experiences in the field and provides lessons – both good and bad – to illustrate. As well as examining leadership traits, the way in which a leader can establish, organise, motivate his or her team and ultimately lead them to success is examined. The paper shares methodologies that have been successfully used to track status within a team and generate appropriate recovery plans where required.In particular, the paper will examine a case study based on an amalgamation of real project issues in some challenging situations using virtual teams (ie physically distant teams located in different centres) to illustrate the importance of strong and positive leadership in achieving success across geographies, time zones and languages.CITATION:Roberts, A A and Dewhirst, R F, 2016. Leadership in projects – a recipe for success, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2016, pp 49–58 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 8, 2016

By C Jacobsen, N Harries

Assessing and managing instability hazards is an essential activity when working with unstable natural slopes and excavated open pit mining slopes. Slope monitoring has become the standard technique for the management of geotechnical risks associated with mine slope instability hazards. In recent decades, a proliferation of new monitoring techniques such as terrestrial radar, satellite InSAR and LIDAR have become standard operational tools, complementing conventional survey-based monitoring solutions. A reliable monitoring system should identify and record incipient anomalous slope movement. Although the most obvious purpose of a monitoring system is safety related, slope deformation and performance monitoring also enhance the understanding of slope behaviour and assists in improving system design and implementation. For a monitoring system to be considered an effective early warning tool, it needs to operate in real-time and should be linked to the mine’s emergency communication systems. Terrestrial radar systems have been developed that can provide near real-time measurements, at a high level of precision and covering broad areas in all weather conditions. This has had a positive impact on the management of geotechnical risks in operational conditions. The technology adoption of RADAR in mine monitoring has significantly progressed in the last 20 years from technology enthusiasts, to visionaries, to pragmatists to conservative users. However, the increasing adoption of RADAR cannot reduce or remove other monitoring techniques that often have important benefits; even if these technologies cannot be used as a real-time operational tool. An increasing awareness on the importance of combining data from different monitoring techniques to develop a holistic picture of all possible geotechnical hazards is a current industry trend. This is proving to be an excellent foundation for managing hazards associated with slope instability in open pit mines, and is only expected to improve with time with the adoption of new technologies based on big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Nov 29, 2022