Development of a Decision Tool for Selection of Pit Slope Stability Monitoring Instrumentation

Development of a Decision Tool for Selection of Pit Slope Stability Monitoring Instrumentation

Authors: J.-B. C. Varnier, J. A. Cremeens, D. Mellows, S. Eichstadt
Conference: SME Annual Meeting
Date: February 23-26, 2020

ABSTRACT
Pit slope instability can have significant impacts to mining operations, mine economics and safety. Slope stability monitoring can reduce those impacts by providing time for preparation and potentially remediation of slope displacement. Effective selection of slope stability monitoring systems for open pit slopes has been a challenge for mine operators. Challenges are principally due a lack of a consistent approach that can provide instrumentation recommendations for a specific slope and the wide range of available instrumentation that are currently available, from simple inexpensive methods such as visual inspection to more complex and costly methods such radar monitoring. This paper presents a Slope Stability Monitoring decision tool that has been developed to consistently and efficiently select instrumentation across a range of pit slope characteristics. The Slope Stability Monitoring decision tool uses typical slope stability evaluation criteria to assess the risk of slope instability and provides instrumentation recommendations based on the calculated level of risk.

 

Download the full paper.

Download

Recent Insights

September 2025
Laying Groundwork for Future Mining: Infrastructure Support by Knight Piésold
September 2025
Challenges of Tailings Transport Pumping Systems in Negative Static Head Applications
September 2025
Hydraulic Evaluation of Tailings Transport Systems in Mountainous Terrain: Density Wave Analysis
September 2025
The Role of Rheology Tests in the Design and Operation of Long-Distance Slurry Transport Systems
August 2025
Safe Dams, Straight Talk: The Knight Piésold Difference
July 2025
Knight Piésold Zambia: Building a Future of Engineering Brilliance and Local Empowerment
July 2025
Water Engineering for Modern Mining: Bridging Mining with Sustainability
June 2025
The Essence of Material Compatibility in Advanced Barrier Systems of Existing TSFs
June 2025
Inverted Barriers in Tailings Storage Facilities: Lessons Learnt
June 2025
Prioritizing the Mitigation of Legacy Geomechanical Mine Hazards Using a Risk-Based Approach
May 2025
Knight Piésold: Sustainable Projects in DRC Through Baseline Studies
April 2025
Advancements in Geotechnical Investigations for the Characterisation of Upstream Tailings Dams in SA
November 2024
Knight Piésold: Commitment to African Excellence
November 2024
Design of a Co-disposal Facility for Thickened Tailings and Potentially Acid-generating Waste Rock
November 2024
Compaction Sensitivity in Tailings Stack Infiltration Modeling: Unsaturated Properties Uncertainty Analysis
November 2024
Volumes of Dam Material Mobilized by Erosion During Tailings Dam Failure Events
October 2024
Estudio de rotura de una presa de jales en la zona centro-norte de México
September 2024
Grouting to Reduce Seepage at Neckartal Dam, Namibia
September 2024
Influence of Pre-Existing Mobilized Zones on B3 Cave Propagation and Initial Subsidence at the New Afton Mine
September 2024
Importance of Indigenous Community Engagement related to ARD/ML and Long-Term Water Quality