Unveiling unknowns: Practical application of InSAR for slope performance monitoring and risk management across multiple surface mines

Abstract

The ability to monitor and predict slope failures in a surface mining setting is paramount for safely executing economically feasible open pit slope designs. Ground-based monitoring systems have proven to be effective for decades; however, with the geographical extensive nature of some mineral deposits, multiple open pit mining operations typically incur additional challenges of deploying and maintaining ground-based systems (compared with a single, large open pit). Monitoring strategies in the 2020s have significant opportunity to integrate satellite based InSAR (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) as part of the control measures depending on the expected failure mechanisms and risk profile. This paper uses case studies to explore the practical application of InSAR to ‘unveil unknowns’ for multiple open pit mining operations where ground monitoring capacity was previously constrained. Case studies include the retrospective analysis of historic slope failures, improving understanding of existing geotechnical hazards and improving engineering geological and slope stability models based on real slope performance data.