Review of surface mine slope monitoring techniques

Abstract

Excavation of rock initiates a reaction of movements in the rock mass. if this movement, which is a precursor to mine slope failure is timely and accurately monitored, accidents, destruction of equipment, loss of ore reserves, closure of the mine and sometimes loss of life that are the resultant effects of surface mine slope failure will be averted. Laser scanner, total station, crack meter, visual inspection, sirovision and lately monitoring radar are some of the techniques that have been developed for monitoring the displacement (i.e. movement) of mine slope. This paper reviewed the importance of slope monitoring vis-a-vis these techniques in surface mine excavations such as open pit or open cast mines. The strength and weaknesses of the techniques were also discussed. The paper concluded that a comprehensive slope monitoring program is needed in a big open pit mine with great slope stability challenges. On the other hand, a combination of two or more of the techniques is needed is shallow open cast or open pit mines, where the lifespan of the highwall is short. In essence, each mine is peculiar and should therefore carefully analyze the nature of its stability problems before deciding on which technique or techniques to adopt.