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Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics

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A special issue of Mining (ISSN 2673-6489).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 74780

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mohammad H.B. (Farzine) Nasseri

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
Interests: experimental rock mechanics; rock fracture mechanics; rock mass characterization; transport properties in rocks; THM properties of rocks; true triaxial testing of rock samples; triggered and induced seismicity; hydrofracking under triaxial and true triaxial stress regimes

Prof. Dr. Bibhu Mohanty

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
Interests: rock dynamics and fragmentation; modelling of dynamic fracture process and blasting; detonation physics and performance of explosives impact; strain-rate sensitivity; strength and fracture of rock; explosion hazards and blast resistant structures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Kamran Esmaeili

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
Interests: mining; geomechanics; remote sensing; machine learning; rock mechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During the past few decades, mining activities and operations have benefited from the application of geomechanical and geotechnical approaches in mine planning/design and ground control management to minimize unsafe working conditions and avoid catastrophic mine failures. Appropriate mine planning and design and its subsequent modifications for any mine site requires a detailed level of ground condition investigation by an experienced geomechanical expert with sound judgment. In addition, a ground control management strategy at any mining site should oversee the geotechnical uncertainty at the design execution phase in order to avoid and mitigate the magnitudes of unfavourable results to a tolerable level.

Improved knowledge of rock mass behaviour, the development of empirical, analytical, and numerical approaches for geomechanical mine design, and proper evaluation of material characteristics under different loading conditions have contributed toward the safer execution of mining activities and the management of geotechnical risks. Continuous geotechnical data collection and its optimization using smarter ground support instrumentation and the application of advanced data analysis techniques have proved to be essential tools in providing proactive measures to enhance mine production efficiency and limit the potential risk of geomechanical failures.

This Special Issue will comprise a selection of papers addressing state-of-the-art approaches that are applied in mining geomechanics within the scope of the following topics:

Geological structures;
Drilling and blasting;
Pit slope failures;
Instrumentation and monitoring;
Rock bursts and other seismic events;
Geotechnical/geomechanical data collection and analysis;
Underground stope and pillar dimensioning;
Sequencing stope extraction and filling;
Opening size and geometry;
Ground support/timing and reinforcement;
Hydrological considerations;
Explosion hazards and blasting vibrations.

Dr. Mohammad H.B. (Farzine) Nasseri
Prof. Dr. Bibhu Mohanty
Prof. Dr. Kamran Esmaeili
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Mining is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

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Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics, 2nd Edition in Mining (2 articles)

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13 pages, 1862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of Coalmine Methane Flows to Estimate the Spacing of Primary Roof Breaks

by Vladimir Sergeevich Brigida, Vladimir Ivanovich Golik and Boris Vitalievich Dzeranov

Mining 2022, 2(4), 809-821; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2040045 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2131

Abstract

The global challenge for the mining sector is the problem of “decarbonization” of coal mining. The modeling of emission flows of coalmine methane is stipulated by the need to prove the environmental effect of the implemented technological changes. For longwall geotechnology, the dynamics of methane concentration in the gas–air mixture extracted by the degassing system reflects the complex relationship between emission and geomechanical processes in the rock mass. In this regard, the aim of the work was to improve the methods for assessing the steps of caving the main roof when mining gas-coal seams. The method of work consisted of processing experimental data (smoothing—Loess, three-dimensional interpolation, regression—the method of least squares) to obtain reliable response functions in three-dimensional space. When developing algorithms in the Python language, the Vi Improved text editor was used. Graphical representation of the results was carried out in “Gnuplot”. As a result of modeling, it was found that the increase in the span of the main roof from 83 to 220 m (S = 1340–1120 m) in the distance range of 120 m in front of the stoping face line and up to 50 m behind it (L = −120–50 m) leads to an alternating cyclicity of local extrema of the dynamics of methane release, according to a polynomial dependence. This fact is a consequence of the implementation of deformation-wave processes in geo-environments, which produce cyclic nonlinearities in the nature of the aero-gas regime of mine methane emissions into anthropogenically disturbed rock masses. In addition, the influence of the situational geomechanical conditions of the excavation area in the goaf was clarified. This makes it possible to reliably identify the caving steps of the main roof. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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18 pages, 4778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Methodology for Rockfall Hazard Assessment in Rocky Slopes

by Larissa Regina Costa Silveira, Milene Sabino Lana, Pedro Alameda-Hernández and Tatiana Barreto dos Santos

Mining 2022, 2(4), 791-808; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2040044 - 6 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2882

Abstract

This article presents an approach to rockfall hazard assessment for rocky slopes based on a previously published rockfall hazard methodology. The original method is appropriate to high alpine rocky slopes exposed to large scale deformations. It evaluates the parameters related to the geomechanical characterization of rock mass, indications of activity, external influences and event intensity. The original methodology was modified to consider different contexts, including geological, climatic and social environments. Parameters related to external influences were modified; the geometry and characteristics of the slope and the catchment area were introduced. The original methodology and the new proposal were applied to two urban slopes and one railway slope in order to test and compare the methods. The original proposal could not represent the rockfall conditions of these slopes. The new proposal was validated using two mine slopes, whose conditions of stability are known. The results of the analyses with the urban slope and the railway slope were coherent with the situation observed at the field. The validation in the mine slopes showed that this approach is applicable in several situations, being able to determine how hazardous a slope is in relation to rockfall events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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16 pages, 7836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Modelling of Blasting Fragmentation Optimization in a Copper Mine

by Vidal Félix Navarro Torres, Cristian Castro, María Elena Valencia, Janine Rodrigues Figueiredo and Leandro Geraldo Canaan Silveira

Mining 2022, 2(4), 654-669; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2040035 - 22 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4607

Abstract

The blasting operation considerably influences the overall productivity of opencast mines, especially when blasting results in oversized fragments that impact the operations ranging from excavation to milling. In this work, a numerical analysis of blasting performance was implemented to optimize the blasting parameters and improve the fragmentation of the hard rock in a copper open pit mine site in Brazil. In this paper, the methodology comprised data collection, 3D numerical model construction for blasting optimization using Blo-Up software, calibration with historical data, and predictive analysis, including testing two different blast designs. With the objective of achieving a desired P₈₀ size of the blasting fragmentation, the results indicate an optimized calibrated model with an overall error equal to 4.0% using a Swebrec distribution fitted to the model data. The optimal P₈₀ size of the resulting muckpile was equivalent to ~0.53 m for the hard rock copper fragments, which was close to the desired P₈₀ size. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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27 pages, 10148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stability Assessment of the Slopes of an Oceanside Coral Limestone Quarry under Drawdown Condition of Semidiurnal Ocean Tides

by Joan Atieno Onyango, Takashi Sasaoka, Hideki Shimada, Akihiro Hamanaka and Dyson Moses

Mining 2022, 2(3), 589-615; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2030032 - 14 Sep 2022

Viewed by 2713

Abstract

Vipingo quarry in Kilifi county, Kenya, is one of the quarries supplying coral limestone for limestone manufacturing in the coastal region. Due to its close proximity to the Indian ocean, the semidiurnal ocean tides tend to have an influence on the stability of the quarry slopes adjacent to the shoreline. Finite element numerical analysis using the generalized Hoek–Brown criterion is conducted to assess the stability condition of the slopes followed by slope-angle optimization to determine the safest overall slope angle as well as analyzing the stability of the slopes due to action of varying ocean tides. The optimum overall slope angles for various excavation depths are found to be 52° for 20 m, 46° for 30 m, 42° for 40 m, and 39° for 50 m, which are the same even with varying distance of the slope face from the shoreline. A parametric analysis shows that there is no significant effect of the tides on slope stability for excavations above the water table, but as the quarry gets deeper, the slope stability is affected. A sensitivity factor (ζ) is introduced, being a measure of how much the slope safety factor is reduced as a result of the semidiurnal tidal action. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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17 pages, 7963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of Thermal Effects on Micro-Properties of Sudbury Norite by CT Scanning and Image Processing Method

by Sheng-Lin Wang, Brad Simser, Shunde Yin and Ju Huyan

Mining 2022, 2(3), 511-527; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2030027 - 5 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1842

Abstract

Rock is constantly subjected to stress and thermal conditions. Thermal-induced micro-cracks will be generated as a result of different thermal expansion gradations between different minerals. This characteristic was investigated in this paper by studying the micro-properties of Sudbury norite via CT scanning and the image processing method. A novel filtering method, maximum–minimum shadow filtering (MMSF), was developed in this study to highlight the thermal-induced micro-cracks in Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) norite after different temperature treatments. Based on quantitative analysis, the areal percentages of biotite, felspar, quartz, and small amounts of metal minerals were determined. It was also found that small-scale micro-cracks were first observed in the middle of biotite grains at a temperature of 400 °C. The cracks further propagated and extended with the temperature increase. In addition, the orientations of cracks either remained at the same distribution or became more evenly distributed with the rising temperature. A linear relationship was found between the average porosity of SIC norite and the temperature. Moreover, the anisotropic properties between vertical and horizontal directions of norite were also noticeable. Overall, the paper presented a quantitative study on the effects of thermal treatment and the anisotropic properties of SIC norite. Methodology and findings from this paper will be a significant reference for future studies regarding the thermal impacts on norite and similar rocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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24 pages, 7621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Dependent Model for Brittle Rocks Considering the Long-Term Strength Determined from Lab Data

by James Innocente, Chrysothemis Paraskevopoulou and Mark S. Diederichs

Mining 2022, 2(3), 463-486; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2030025 - 15 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2244

Abstract

The excavation of tunnels in brittle rocks with high in-situ strengths under large deviatoric stresses has been shown to exhibit brittle failure at the periphery of tunnels parallel to the maximum in-situ stress. This failure can either occur instantaneously or after several hours due to the strength degradation that is implicitly and indirectly considered in typical brittle constitutive models. While these models are powerful tools for engineering analyses, they cannot predict the time at which brittle rupture occurs, but rather, they show a possible failure pattern occurring instantaneously. In this paper, a model referred to as the long-term strength (LTS) model is introduced and implemented into FLAC2D. The model is built as a modified version of the CVISC model, introduced by Itasca, by adding a strength decay function. This function is developed from lab-scale time-to-failure (TTF) data. The LTS model is verified against its corresponding analytical solution using a constant stress creep lab test and implemented into a tunnel-scale model using the geometry, stress, and geologic conditions from the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Underground Research Laboratory (AECL URL). The results of the LTS tunnel model are then compared to an identical model using the Cohesion Weakening Friction Strengthening (CWFS) approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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19 pages, 13536 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geotechnical Issues in Decommissioning Surface Lignite Mines—The Case of Amyntaion Mine in Greece

by Michael Kavvadas, Christos Roumpos, Aikaterini Servou and Nikolaos Paraskevis

Mining 2022, 2(2), 278-296; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2020015 - 29 Apr 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3474

Abstract

Recent changes in the fossil-fuel energy sector require coal mining industries to plan for the future, including developing procedures for decommissioning and closure associated with mines. In surface coal mining, the geotechnical issues of decommissioning include the long-term stability of the pit slopes, particularly as the pit is gradually filled with water. This paper investigates such slope stability issues, with emphasis on the conditions prevailing in the Amyntaion surface lignite mine, in Western Macedonia, Greece. Analytical and numerical methods have been developed and used to estimate the temporal evolution of the overall safety factor, as the water level in the pit rises, creating a lake. It is shown that until the water level in the lake reaches a critical depth of approximately 15–35% of the final equilibrium condition, the safety factor against the overall slope instability decreases slightly (by about 3% in the case study, and up to 5–10% in other conditions) compared to its value at the end of exploitation. At higher lake levels, the safety factor increases significantly, as the beneficial effect of the lake water pressure acting on the slope overcomes the adverse effect of pore water pressure rise inside the slope. In typical mines, the critical water depth is achieved within a few years, since the surface area of the pit is smaller at deeper levels; thus, more favorable slope stability conditions are usually reinstated a few years after mine closure, while the small reduction in safety during the initial stages after closure is inconsequential. The paper investigates the parameters influencing the magnitude of the small reduction in the short-term safety factor and produces normalized graphs of the evolution of the safety factor as the lake water level rises. The results of the analyses can be used in preliminary closure studies of surface coal mines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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16 pages, 3669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hyperbolic Representation of Lateral Force–Displacement Relationship for Underground Installed Pipe

by Richard D. Yovichin III, Jai K. Jung and Wei-Ju Lee

Mining 2022, 2(2), 170-185; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2020010 - 1 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2371

Abstract

Extreme natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and liquefaction create permanent ground deformation (PGD). With the recognition that PGD often causes the most serious local damage in underground structures such as buried pipelines and mining facilities, research and engineering practices for underground structures have focused on soil–structure interaction under PGD. In this study, an underground pipeline was investigated due to its simple geometry. Geotechnical data collection and analysis were used as a study method. Of key importance is the soil–pipe interaction with respect to PGD below the subsurface. This response is typically highlighted by a force vs. displacement relationship and is primarily a function of soil unit weight, depth from surface to the pipe centerline, and the pipe diameter. The non-linear force vs. displacement relationship for transverse horizontal force on a pipe subjected to lateral ground movement, can be represented by a hyperbola. The nonlinear hyperbola can then be turned into a linear line by transforming the axis. This paper investigates a wide range of soil characteristics and summarizes representative hyperbolic parameters for dry medium, dense, and very dense sand for lateral ground movement. The approach is convenient for modeling the soil–pipe interaction and is critical for addressing the complexities of soil and pipe performance, consistent with real-world soil–pipe behavior. The ideas and data analysis techniques presented in this study may be fine-tuned and applied to more complex problems including mining and could ultimately contribute to the management of geotechnical risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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20 pages, 5761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB) Material Properties for Undercut Analysis

by Murray Grabinsky, Mohammadamin Jafari and Andrew Pan

Mining 2022, 2(1), 103-122; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2010007 - 22 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6492

Abstract

A longstanding mine backfill design challenge is determining the strength required if the (partially) cured backfill is subsequently undercut. Mitchell (1991) called the undercut backfill a sill mat and proposed an analytical solution that is still often used, at least for preliminary design, and has motivated subsequent empirical design methods. However, fully employing the Mitchell sill mat solution requires knowledge of the backfill material’s Unconfined Compressive Strength (

U C S

), tangent Young’s modulus (

E_{t}

), tensile strength (

σ_{t}

), as well as estimates of stope wall closure. Conducting a high-quality

U C S

test poses challenges but relating the test result to the remaining material parameters is more difficult. Some new material testing data is presented and compared to available published results. Using the parameter

m_{i} = U C S / σ_{t}

the range of available testing data is found to be

m_{i} =

3 to 22, however, the most compelling data is obtained when the Mohr’s failure circle in tension is tangential to the corresponding Mohr–Coulomb failure envelope determined from other strength tests. In these cases, the value

m_{i} =

4 is found for the materials tested, which is much lower than the value

m_{i} =

10 commonly assumed and implies a limiting

U C S

60% lower compared to the conventional assumption. It is also found that the relationship between

E_{t}

and

U C S

is described by a power function that is close to linear, but the values for the constant and exponent in the power function depend on the material tested. However, for given tailings the power function is found to be independent of void ratio, binder type or concentration, curing time, and water salinity, within the ranges these parameters were investigated. Therefore, when

E_{t}

is used in the Mitchell sill mat solution it should be correlated with the

U C S

using the appropriate power function. These correlations are then used with the Mitchell sill mat solution and published measurements of backfill closure strains to estimate the Mitchell solution’s range of applicability based on its underlying assumptions, and a similar analysis is extended to an “empirical design method” motivated by the Mitchell sill mat solution. It is demonstrated that these existing approaches have limited applicability, and more generally a full analysis in support of rational design will require numerical modeling that incorporates the effect of confining stress on the material’s stiffness and mobilized strength. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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13 pages, 5181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermoporoelastoplastic Wellbore Breakout Modeling by Finite Element Method

by Lijing Zhang, Hua Zhang, Kezhen Hu, Zhuoheng Chen and Shunde Yin

Mining 2022, 2(1), 52-64; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2010004 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2583

Abstract

Drilling a hole into rock results in stress concentration and redistribution close to the hole. When induced stresses exceed the rock strength, wellbore breakouts will happen. Research on wellbore breakout is the fundamental of wellbore stability. A wellbore breakout is a sequence of stress concentrations, rock falling, and stress redistributions, which involve initiation, propagation, and stabilization sequences. Therefore, simulating the process of a breakout is very challenging. Thermoporoelastoplastic models for wellbore breakout analysis are rare due to the high complexity of the problem. In this paper, a fully coupled thermoporoelastoplastic finite element model is built to study the mechanism of wellbore breakouts. The process of wellbore breakouts, the influence of temperature and the comparison between thermoporoelastic and thermoporoelastoplastic models are studied in the paper. For the finite element modeling, the D-P criterion is used to determine whether rock starts to yield or not, and the maximum tensile strain criterion is used to determine whether breakouts have happened. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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10 pages, 1296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Statistically Based Methodology to Estimate the Probability of Encountering Rock Blocks When Tunneling in Heterogeneous Ground

by Maria Lia Napoli, Monica Barbero and Roberto Fontana

Mining 2021, 1(3), 241-250; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining1030016 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2592

Abstract

Strong rock blocks embedded in a weaker soil matrix are found in many geological units. When tunneling in ground containing cobbles and boulders, extremely challenging conditions can be encountered. Such inconveniences may be avoided by means of appropriate tunneling methods and cutterhead designs, which require the content, frequency, and size of rock blocks to be predicted as accurately as possible. Several approaches have been developed to estimate the block fraction of heterogeneous geomaterials for excavation. However, the estimation of cobble–boulder quantities both all along the tunnel and only partially embedded within the tunnel face remains a critical issue. This study develops a methodology for the estimation of the probability of encountering blocks partially or totally contained within the tunnel excavation area, wherein the area of intersection with the tunnel face is greater than the given critical values. For this purpose, a statistical approach has been implemented in a Matlab routine. The potential of this code is that it provides extremely useful and statistically based information that can be used for making a more rational choice regarding tunneling technique and in terms of designing a suitable cutterhead in order to avoid technical problems during tunnel excavations in heterogeneous ground. The executable code is provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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20 pages, 3888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Required Plug Strength for Continuously Poured Cemented Paste Backfill in Longhole Stopes

by Murray Grabinsky, Will Bawden and Ben Thompson

Mining 2021, 1(1), 80-99; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining1010006 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4445

Abstract

Continuously poured paste backfill dramatically improves underground mining efficiency through reduced stope cycle time and simplified logistics. For longhole stopes, a backfill “plug” is poured to a few meters above the undercut brow and must gain sufficient strength to prevent failure through the plug when the “main” pour begins. A novel, rational engineering design approach that determines the required plug strength is developed. The potential failure mechanism during continuous pouring is identified and the theoretical solution and its numerical validation/calibration are discussed. Four field case histories are then used, three of them involving continuous pours, to demonstrate the theoretical solution’s validity in back-analysis. These case studies are unique in the extent and quality of total stress and water pressure measurements made throughout backfilling. Additionally, comprehensive laboratory data are available to characterize strength development during binder hydration in the first few days, which are critical to the back-analyses. Results indicate that continuous backfilling is feasible with reasonably attainable backfill strengths at most mines. However, mines must undertake comprehensive early strength laboratory testing, and must carry out field measurements during the pour to ensure the placed backfill behaviour is consistent with the analysis assumptions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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12 pages, 4967 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Effect of Mining Activities on the Paleokarstic Features, Recent Karstic Features, and Karst Water of the Bakony Region (Hungary)

by Márton Veress

Mining 2022, 2(4), 757-768; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2040042 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2118

Abstract

This study describes the direct and indirect effects of mining on the karst of the Bakony Region. For this, the results of geological and mining research of the last century, the results of hydrological research of fifty years, as well as the investigations of several decades on the karst of the mountain region are used. Direct effects include the exploitation of filling materials (limonite, kaolinite, manganese ore, and bauxite) from paleokarst features, dolomite rubble, activities exploring or destroying cavities, and the pollution of cavity systems with mining waste (dirt). An indirect effect is karst water extraction. Mining activities (coal and quarrying) resulting in the development of pseudokarstic features are also mentioned here. It can be stated that the effects on the karst and karst features may be permanent and even renewing, but the original state may also have returned or can be expected in the near future. Damages may be local or regional. A regional effect is the decrease in karst water level, which has the most significant effect on the environment, but it has already reached its original state by now. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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35 pages, 3609 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview of Slope Failure in Mining Operations

by Peter Kolapo, Gafar Omotayo Oniyide, Khadija Omar Said, Abiodun Ismail Lawal, Moshood Onifade and Prosper Munemo

Mining 2022, 2(2), 350-384; https://doi.org/10.3390/mining2020019 - 2 Jun 2022

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 31653

Abstract

The primary aim of every twenty-first century mining operation is to extract as much ore as possible in a safe and economical manner. Failure in mine excavation occurs when the shear stress acting on the rock is greater than the shear strength of the rock mass. The stability of rock slopes in open-pit mine and quarry operations is extremely important from both economic and safety points of view because unstable slopes can result in the loss of human life and damage to properties. This paper presents an overview of several case studies of slope failure in mining operations and explains various modes of failure in rock slopes, as well as factors that influence the stability of slope walls. With the aim of enforcing the importance of monitoring and evaluating slope stability in mining, both linear equilibrium and numerical modeling techniques were reviewed to elaborate their importance in designing stable slopes. In addition, the process of slope failure was discussed, and key signs of failure were indicated. In an effort to prevent mines from experiencing the hazards of slope failure, this study reports previous work performed in determining slope failure and the current state-of-the-art models, which entail the integration of analytical methods with artificial intelligence techniques. This innovation would help overcome the drawbacks of conventional prediction techniques that are cumbersome and ambiguous. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Empirical, Analytical, and Numerical Approaches in Mining Geomechanics)

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