Exploration
Naresh Kumar Katariya; Bhanwar Singh Choudhary
Abstract
Slope stability and bench safety in iron ore open-pit mines in western India are comprehensively analysed in this research. To evaluate current mining conditions and identify areas at risk, the study integrates comprehensive field observations, laboratory testing, and advanced slope stability modelling ...
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Slope stability and bench safety in iron ore open-pit mines in western India are comprehensively analysed in this research. To evaluate current mining conditions and identify areas at risk, the study integrates comprehensive field observations, laboratory testing, and advanced slope stability modelling using Slide 6.0 software. Factors of safety (FOS) of various mining sections varied from 0.475 to 1.495, as per limit equilibrium analysis with Slide 6.0. This signifies the presence of possibly unstable slopes that require certain stabilisation measures to ensure operational safety. The research considers how significant environmental factors, like temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and soil moisture, influence slope stability in addition to the geotechnical analysis. Rainfall and soil moisture were found to have a high and statistically significant positive correlation (Pearson correlation = 0.706, p = 0.005), implying that an increase in rainfall results in increased soil moisture content, which in turn affects the behaviour of slopes. Also, a moderate degree of negative relationship between temperature and wind speed was revealed (partial correlation = -0.593, p = 0.042), meaning that smaller wind speeds are characteristically associated with increased temperatures. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of the environment in open-pit mine operations and the importance of considering environmental factors when assessing slope stability. The information collected in this study provides a solid foundation for developing valuable recommendations intended to enhance safety, better control slopes, and promote the long-term development of mining activities in the region.
Exploration
Irshad Khan; Afayou Afayou; Naeem Abbas; Asghar Khan; Numan Alam; Kausar Sultan Shah
Abstract
The study utilizes the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) to investigate slope movements. These movements were initially generated by construction activities at the slope's base, and subsequent events were driven by seismic activities, as the study studied area lies within the Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) ...
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The study utilizes the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM) to investigate slope movements. These movements were initially generated by construction activities at the slope's base, and subsequent events were driven by seismic activities, as the study studied area lies within the Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) and Main Mantle Thrust (MMT) zones. Soil samples, characterized by a moisture content of 13% and a dry unit weight of 18.14 kN/m³ were analyzed. The study revealed that an increase in saturation caused by rainwater infiltration, resulted in a reduction in unconfined compression strength, decreasing from 712 kPa to 349 kPa. The shear strength and deformation parameters (cohesion, angle of internal friction, and deformation modulus) were also examined with varied degrees of saturation. The results revealed a decrease in these parameters as the percentage of saturation increased from 30% to 90%. The slope stability study revealed that the Factor of Safety (FOS) reduced from 1.85 to 0.86 as the saturation of the material raised from 30% to 90%. To assess the influence of unit weight, cohesion, and angle of internal friction on the FOS, multiple cases were considered. The analysis revealed that the FOS increased with higher cohesion and angle of internal friction, while an increase in unit weight resulted in a lower factor of safety. Furthermore, stability of the slope was evaluated by modifying the slope geometry such as lowering the height. According to the GeoStudio investigation, the slope remained steady even at saturation levels exceeding 80%.
