Gunasekera, UK 2013, 'Geohazard mitigation in remote and rugged terrain', in PM Dight (ed.), Slope Stability 2013: Proceedings of the 2013 International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 963-980, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1308_67_Gunasekera
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1308_67_Gunasekera/)
Abstract: Newmont Asia Pacific Region (APAC) operated a number of exploration tenements in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Indonesia. A common feature to all these sites were rugged terrain, very thick vegetation canopy, high intensity rainfall and relatively young geology. Geohazards such as landslides, earthquakes and flash flooding are common in these terrains. Past incidents at the exploration sites highlighted the requirement for geotechnical input prior to site selection. This article explains the process that was developed in the preparation of a Geohazard Mitigation Tool (GHMT) that was used for the selection of safe sites suitable for Newmont exploration infrastructure. Available good quality topographic images were used to acquire slope, drainage and landslide information. Regional and local soils and geology maps were helpful in ascertaining soils conditions. Prevailing wind information was also useful. To put all the above information together into a geohazard rated map of the exploration regions, ArcGIS tools were utilised.