• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2021

Slope optimization aims to maximize the slope angle in an open pit mine, resulting in subsequent profits from additional ore extraction. The large open pit mines have adopted the advanced technologies to increase slope angle until they ensure the slope stability. This paper introduces a current stage of slope optimization efforts and best practices from the open pit mines.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2013

The slopes of open-pit mine are typically designed without considering the reinforcement and support method due to the economical efficiency. However, the long-term stability of final pit slope is needed in some case, therefore the appropriate measures that can improve the stability are required. In this study, the field survey and laboratory test were carried out in S limestone mine. The stability assessment of final pit slope was performed through the stereographic projection method, SMR, and numerical analysis. And countermeasures for stabilization were proposed. The results of analysis show that full scale of slope failure is not expected but the failures of bench slope scale are likely to occur. In oder to increase the stability of bench slope, we suggested the remedial methods as follows: excavating the final pit slope by pre-splitting blasting, placing the wide berm in the intermediate bench slope and installing the horizontal drainage hole in the place of local ground water runoff.

• 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.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2019

Open-pit (OP) and underground (UG) mining are usually used to exploit shallow and deep ore deposits, respectively. When mine deposit starts from shallow subsurface and extends to a great depth, sequential use of OP and UG mining is an efficient and economical way to maintain mining productivity. However, a transition from OP to UG mining could induce significant rock movements that cause the slope instability of the open pit. Based on Yanqianshan Iron Mine, which was in the transition from OP to UG mining, a large-scale two-dimensional (2D) model test was built according to the similar theory. Thereafter, the UG mining was carried out to mimic the process of transition from OP to UG mining to disclose the triggered rock movement as well as to assess the associated slope instability. By jointly using three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning, distributed fiber optics, and digital photogrammetry measurement, the deformations, movements and strains of the rock slope during mining were monitored. The obtained data showed that the transition from OP to UG mining led to significant slope movements and deformations that can trigger catastrophic slope failure. The progressive movement of the slope could be divided into three stages: onset of micro-fracture, propagation of tensile cracks, and the overturning and/or sliding of slopes. The failure mode depended on the orientation of structural joints of the rock mass as well as the formation of tension cracks. This study also proved that these non-contact monitoring technologies were valid methods to acquire the interior strain and external deformation with high precision.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.72-77
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• 2003

The study tasked by Ryan Lode Mines, Inc. involved analysis of pit slope stability for two future pits, Ryan and Curlew. A geological discontinuity survey and groundwater information were obtained through a field program. Twenty core logs containing geotechnical information were used for rock mass classification. The kinematic analysis was performed based on a friction angle (${\Phi}=35^{\circ}$), the distribution of geological structures, and a dry slope condition. Factors of safety of pit slopes in two future mines were determined using the limit equilibrium method. The mine slopes and benches designed by Mine Development Associates (MDA) were analyzed. The analysis indicated that both pits should have an overall safety factor above 1.0, provided the slopes are kept dry. However, slopes in both pits exceeding 91.4 m (300 ft) high will become critical, when water fills the cracks and discontinuities.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.434-441
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• 2012

An analytic solution to the extended mild-slope equation was derived for waves propagating over an axi-symmetric pit. The water depth inside the pit was in proportion to a power of radial distance from the center of pit. The equation was transformed into the ordinary differential equation using the method of separation of variables. The coefficients of differential terms were expressed as an explicit form composing of the phase and group velocities. The bottom curvature and the square of bottom slope terms, which were added to the extended mild-slope equation, were expressed as power series. Finally, using the Frobenius series, the analytic solution to the extended mild-slope equation was derived. The present analytic solution was validated by comparing with the numerical solution obtained from FEM.

• 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.