Gunasekera, UK 2007, 'Dealing with Rockfall Issues at Argyle Diamond Mine Open Pit Operation', in Y Potvin (ed.), Slope Stability 2007: Proceedings of the 2007 International Symposium on Rock Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 393-402, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/708_25
(https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/708_25_Gunasekera/)
Abstract: Argyle Open Pit Operation has been dealing with potential rock fall situations for various reasons. Common 
reasons for this are having to work on two levels of the same cutback, and having to develop pit walls below 
active rill slips or landslides. The Argyle open pit operation commenced in 1985 and will continue towards 
2010. Over the course of the mine life, Argyle has carried out in-pit rock fall tests in order to check the 
appropriateness of the initial pit slope designs and subsequently for the derivation of design parameters; 
coefficients of restitution, for rock fall analysis. Rock fall analyses are used to design and determine rock fall 
arrester or barrier sites, and rock fall arrester heights. Risks due to rock fall hazards are managed by 
attempting to maintain clean walls, introducing or increasing catching capacity of the berms above the 
lower working areas by design, or erecting barriers like windrows and bund walls. Introduction of low 
cohesion loose soils in the rock landing areas help reduce the rock bouncing, thereby increasing rock 
arrester capability. For long term rock fall arresters, consideration must be given to the requirement of 
subsequent cleaning with safety behind the rock fall arrester. Having to work on two levels of the same 
cutback invariably causes continuous rill slopes between the cut backs. This can be controlled by 
introducing a wide berm above the lower working area with built in rock fall arresters. In extreme situations 
the work on the lower level may have to be temporarily stopped or alternate activities carried out on upper 
and the lower levels. When it comes to cleaning up the continuous rill slope and exposing the berms, remote 
control Load Haul Dump (LHD) equipment can be used without endangering personnel. This activity must 
be built into the mine plan for effective implementation.