Chapter 10 - A geospatial approach to analyze the stability of mine overburden dump over reclaimed land

Abstract

Abstract This chapter mainly focuses on stability analysis of mine overburden (OB) dump over reclaimed land using a geospatial approach. Failure of OB dump and its instability is a significant problem for opencast mines in India. The advanced geospatial technology and ground survey data can easily identify the risk-prone area of OB dumps. Khottadih OB Dump is part of the Pandaveswar area, Raniganj coalfield, India. Currently, it is facing slope instability issues. In this work, we have developed a digital surface model of OB dump using differential global positioning systems survey data. We have drawn 10 cross-sections (50-meter interval) over OB dump using Global Mapper software for the factor of safety (FoS) analysis. The FoS of each cross-section is calculated by the Morgenstern–Price method using GeoStudio software (SV/2018). The shear strength, angle of internal friction, and cohesion values were calculated from OB dump materials in the laboratory. According to the FoS results, some cross-sections (A, D, H, and K) show high vulnerability to slope failure. Based on slope stability results analyzed in GeoStudio, some cross-section having a height of 55 and 71 m has a stable slope angle of 32 degrees and 37 degrees, respectively, in OB dump material. This work will help the mining companies for effective management and planning of OB dump.