Steep wall mining: engineered structures used in the management of rockfall hazards at Kanmantoo copper mine

Authors: Hutchison, BJ; Morrison, AT; Lucas, DS Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2025_54

Cite As:
Hutchison, BJ, Morrison, AT & Lucas, DS 2020, 'Steep wall mining: engineered structures used in the management of rockfall hazards at Kanmantoo copper mine', in PM Dight (ed.), Slope Stability 2020: Proceedings of the 2020 International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 831-848, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2025_54



Abstract:
The Kanmantoo Copper Mine in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia was operated by Hillgrove Resources Limited from 2010–2019. This was a steep-walled, 360 m deep, open pit mine that required an extensive rockfall management plan and the installation of significant rock support and rockfall mitigation measures. The adoption of these systems allowed inter-ramp angles of the structurally controlled west wall to be steepened from 45 to 57°, over a height of 300 m. This paper describes the various methods utilised to manage a range of rockfall hazards experienced at the mine including the use of shear pins, drape mesh, attenuator fences, low- and high-energy rock catch fences and mesh/cable strapping. The design, construction methods, associated costs and the performance of the various engineering controls are described.

Keywords: rockfall, steep mining, rock support

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