• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.365-374
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• 2022

Mining activity causes environmental pollution and geological hazards such as ground subsidence or landslide of which continuous monitoring is necessary. In this study, the activity on the Fushun West Open-Pit Mine (FWOPM), one of the largest open-pit coal mines in Asia located in Fushun, Liaoning Province, China, was analyzed by using a time-series Sentinel-1 InSAR coherence dataset. By using the difference between the two Digital Elevation Models (DEM) of the area, it was possible to confirm that there was a stockpiling activity in the western area of the FWOPM while excavation activity in the eastern area. By using RGB composite images using the yearly-averaged InSAR coherence images, the activity of the mine was confirmed by period, which was confirmed by Google Earth optical images. As a result, it was possible to confirm three landslides and the related activities on the northwest slope and the dumping activity on the west slope of FWOPM.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.243-255
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• 2010

The slope design of an open-pit mine must consider economical efficiency and stability. Thus, the overall slope angle is the principal factor because of limited support or reinforcement options available in such a setting. In this study, slope displacement, as monitored by a GPS system, was analyzed for a coal mine at Pasir, Indonesia. Predictions of failure time by inverse velocity analysis showed good agreement with field observations. Therefore, the failure time of an unstable slope can be roughly estimated prior to failure. A GIS model that combines fuzzy theory and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was developed to assess slope instability in open-pit coal mines. This model simultaneously considers seven factors that influence the instability of open-pit slopes (i.e., overall slope gradient, slope height, surface flows, excavation plan, tension cracks, faults, and water body). Application of the proposed method to an open-pit coal mine revealed an enhanced prediction accuracy of failure time and failure site compared with existing methods.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2014

This study analyzed the optimal routes of auxiliary vehicles in an open-pit mine that need to traverse the entire mine through many working points. Unlike previous studies which usually used the Dijkstra's algorithm, this study utilized a heuristic algorithm for the Traveling Salesman Problem(TSP). Thus, the optimal routes of auxiliary vehicles could be determined by considering the visiting order of multiple working points. A case study at the Pasir open-pit coal mine, Indonesia was conducted to analyze the travel route of an auxiliary vehicle that monitors the working condition by traversing the entire mine without stopping. As a result, we could know that the heuristic TSP algorithm is more efficient than intuitive judgment in determining the optimal travel route; 20 minutes can be shortened when the auxiliary vehicle traverses the entire mine through 25 working points according to the route determined by the heuristic TSP algorithm. It is expected that the results of this study can be utilized as a basis to set the direction of future research for the system optimization of auxiliary vehicles in open-pit mines.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-171
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• 2012

The slope design of an open-pit mine must ensure slope stability and economic feasibility. The overall slope angle of the pit is therefore the main factor of concern because of limited support or reinforcement options available in such a setting. This study examines the optimal measurement system for monitoring the behavior of the slope in an open-pit mine using displacement measurement, data analysis, and numerical simulations for a coal mine at Pasir, Indonesia. The area of slope to be managed is extensive and the maximum displacement, as calculated by numerical analysis, is about 3,000 mm. The displacement data, measured by inclinometer and GPS, were analyzed, and the applicability of SSR (slope stability radar) was reviewed in comparison with other monitoring systems.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2006

The typical blasting method adopted in Pasir Coal Mine is a surface blasting technique with a single free face. It means that there is only one free face, which is usually the ground surface. This kind of blasting method is easy to use but inevitably causes enormous ground vibrations, which, in turn, can affect the stability of the slopes comprising the various boundaries of the open pit mine. In addition, the method also has the problem of lowering the blast efficiency compared to other methods such as bench blasting methods or ones with more than two free faces. In this respect, a project was launched to develop a new blasting method that is suitable for controling the ground vibration and enhancing the blast efficiency. As a part of the project, authors investigated the current blasting method as well as the overall pit developing process in the mine, and established some important guidelines that should be observed during the whole development process. This paper presents the details of the typical blasting pattern and the pit developing method in the mine, and suggests the guidelines determined from the results of the observations.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.447-456
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• 2008

Open-pit mine slope design must be carried out from the economical efficiency and stability point of view. The overall slope angle is the primary design variable because of limited support or reinforce options available. In this study, the slope angle and critical slope height of large coal mine located in Pasir, Kalimantan, Indonesia were determined from safety point of view. Failure time prediction based on the monitored displacement using inverse velocity was also conducted to make up fir the uncertainty of the slope design. From the study, critical slope height was calculated as $353{\sim}438m$ under safety factor guideline (SF>1.5) and $30^{\circ}$ overall slope angle but loom is recommended as a critical slope height considering the results of sensitivity analysis of strength parameters. The results of inverse velocity analysis also showed good agreement with field slope cases. Therefore, failure of unstable slope can be roughly detected before real slope failure.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.248-260
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• 2009

With regard to oversea mineral resources development, recent trend has been changed from a simple capital investment to a direct development of the resources. In relation to the stability of a slope in large open-pit coal mine, groundwater system was investigated and the validity of horizontal drainage hole was evaluated in Pasir coal mine, Indonesia. In this work, various field tests were carried out for a characterization of groundwater system, which included in-situ permeability measurement, tracer test and monitoring of groundwater levels. Especially, the influence of SM river on the characteristics of the groundwater flow system was mainly inspected. For the permeability measurement, Guelph permeameter was employed, and was found that sandstone was more permeable than mudstone and coal seam. From a comparison of lithological structure and the results of groundwater level monitoring, sandstone and thin coal seam with fractures were found to be a main channel for groundwater flow. In the results of tracer tests, the effect of SM river on the groundwater system depends on the geological structure of its base. To identify the effect of horizontal drainage holes, 2-D groundwater modeling was performed. Four different cases were tested, which are different from the length of drainage hole and the existence of pond on top of the slope. To enhance the drainage effect and slope stability, the drainage hole should be drilled to the depth of coal seam layer, which provides a main pathway of groundwater flow and embedded by sandstone. For this purpose, correct identification of surrounding geology should be preceded.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.305-317
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• 2019

The RMR and Q-system for characterizing rock mass and drilling core, and for estimating the support and reinforcement measures in mine galleries, tunnels and caverns have been widely used by engineers. SMR has been widely used in the rock mass classification for rock slope, but Q-Slope has been introduced into slopes since 2015. In the last ten years, a modified Q-system called Q-slope has been tested by the many authors for application to the benches in open pit mines and excavated road rock slopes. The results have shown that a simple correlation exists between Q-slope values and the long-term stable and unsupported slope angles. Just as RMR and Q have been used together in a tunnel or underground space and complemented by comparison, Q-Slope can be used in parallel with SMR. This paper introduces how to use Q-Slope which has not been announced in Korea and application examples of Pasir open pit coal mine in Indonesia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.337-341
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• 2008

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.809-828
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• 2016

In deep open pit mines, slope stability is very important. Particularly, increasing the depths increase the risks in mines having weak rock mass. Blasting operations in this type of open pits may have a negative impact on slope stability. Several or combination of methods can be used in order to enable better analysis in this type of deep open-pit mines. Numerical modeling is one of these options. Many complex problems can be integrated into numerical methods at the same time and analysis, solutions can be performed on a single model. Rock failure criterions and rock models are used in numerical modeling. Hoek-Brown and Mohr-Coulomb terms are the two most commonly used rock failure conditions. In this study, mine planning and discontinuity conditions of a lignite mine facing two big landslides previously, has been investigated. Moreover, the presence of some damage before starting the study was identified in surrounding structures. The primary research of this study is on slope study. In slope stability analysis, numerical modeling methods with Hoek-Brown and Mohr-Coulomb failure criterions were used separately. Preparing the input data to the numerical model, the outcomes of patented-blast vibration minimization method, developed by co-author was used. The analysis showed that, the model prepared by applying Hoek-Brown failure criterion, failed in the stage of 10. However, the model prepared by using Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion did not fail even in the stage 17. Examining the full research field, there has been ongoing production in this mine without any failure and damage to surface structures.