Pit slope optimisation through a deep oxide zone at Newmont Boddington gold mine

Authors: Powell, C Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_01

Cite As:
Powell, C 2023, 'Pit slope optimisation through a deep oxide zone at Newmont Boddington gold mine', in PM Dight (ed.), SSIM 2023: Third International Slope Stability in Mining Conference, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 67-80, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_01



Abstract:
This paper comprises a case study of pit slope optimisation design and implementation through a deep oxide horizon sensitive to porewater pressure and adjacent to critical mine infrastructure. Successful completion of the optimised cutback allows additional width of mining within the underlying hard rock orebody, adding approximately 260 koz Au and 30 Mlb Cu to ore reserves. Preliminary ground investigations identified elevated porewater pressure within weak in situ oxide material. Initial slope stability assessments indicated challenges in achieving design. A combination of slope geometry changes, detailed hydrogeological assessments, and proactive slope drainage and buttressing initiatives coupled with monitoring controls during excavation are used to safely achieve an optimised pit shell design. The deep oxide slope is located adjacent to the main conveyor corridor carrying ore from the primary crusher to the processing plant and a section of haul road running along the pit crest. Additional care was therefore required during the planning and implementation stage of the project to ensure there was no impact to mine operations. Slope geometry changes include local batter/berm reconfiguration and an overall composite angle slope profile to take advantage of available strength in upper unsaturated oxides while removing weight at the top of the slope. Drainage measures included progressively boxing out in situ oxide material in 20 m-wide panel segments below design berms and replacing them with free-draining hard rock mine waste. Buttressing comprised of mine waste rockfill to help stabilise oxide batter faces and add additional weight in the lower half of the slope. Monitoring mainly relied on prisms and vibrating wire piezometer arrays installed along the critical design section used to assess slope stability. Hold points were used during excavation/construction to assess stability using updated pore pressure data. The implementation stage was therefore able to take advantage of predicted/realised pore pressure reductions to inform subsequent deeper excavation as mining progressed.

Keywords: slope stability, optimisation, cutback, assessment, pore pressure, VWP, oxide

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