Mine slope design and the role of confidence and consequence

Authors: Jones, EK; Player, J; Sweby, G Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_12

Cite As:
Jones, EK, Player, J & Sweby, G 2023, 'Mine slope design and the role of confidence and consequence', in PM Dight (ed.), SSIM 2023: Third International Slope Stability in Mining Conference, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 231-242, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2335_12



Abstract:
Geotechnical model confidence and consequence of failure are the two critical aspects when selecting appropriate stability design criteria. Geotechnical model confidence needs to be appropriate for the project, considering the scale of the pit, the geological setting and the study level. Consequence is express solely in its importance to the business. This paper proposes an approach to help navigate how to apply which level of confidence and consequence to slope stability design when considering the geology, geotechnical and hydrogeology models, and how to apply this confidence to select the appropriate batter/berm design criteria. When selecting the overall stability acceptance criteria both the model confidence and failure of consequence are utilised. Consequences for studies revolve around business loss (cessation of production), loss of licence to operate and the impacts of such to the operation. This approach expands on the study guidelines and stability criteria as presented in Read & Stacey (2009) to allow for smaller pits or those that don’t have a high consequence when it comes to instability occurrence.

Keywords: slope design, geotechnical confidence, failure consequence

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