6
change in conditions. They also can be shared with external
stakeholders (i.e., regulatory inspectors, consultants, etc.)
when site geotechnical staff are educating external staff of
conditions between their “snapshot” observations.
There were no signs of slope instability over the exis-
tence of the open pit slope in the proposed portal area. Most
rockfall or ravel events had been contained on the existing
catch benches. Based on the material characteristics, most
of the deterioration develops as raveling of smaller material.
Therefore, rigorous rockfall containment is not necessary
however, it would be prudent to construct a berm or place
some concrete blocks along the bench immediately above
the portal as protection to people exiting the portal and
cannot inspect the highwall as people entering the portal
can observe changing conditions.
SUMMARY
This geotechnical assessment was required to be completed
within a couple week period. The timeliness relied on
the continuity of the geotechnical staff to have regularly
inspected, documented, and monitored the open pit slopes
as mining progressed. The observational data informs engi-
neering judgement only gained by on site experience.
REFERENCES
Sheets, R.J., (2017), Geotechnical News, Proposed New
Portal Location: Surface Geotechnical Highwall
Review, Issue 43, First Quarter, 2017.
Basson, F. R. P. (2012), Rigid body dynamics for rock fall
trajectory simulation, Proceedings of the 46th US
Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Chicago,
IL, USA, 24–17 July 2012, ARMA 12-267.
Basrock (2015), Trajec3D Manual, April 2015.
BasRock (2016), Newsletter, 2016 Quarter 4.
change in conditions. They also can be shared with external
stakeholders (i.e., regulatory inspectors, consultants, etc.)
when site geotechnical staff are educating external staff of
conditions between their “snapshot” observations.
There were no signs of slope instability over the exis-
tence of the open pit slope in the proposed portal area. Most
rockfall or ravel events had been contained on the existing
catch benches. Based on the material characteristics, most
of the deterioration develops as raveling of smaller material.
Therefore, rigorous rockfall containment is not necessary
however, it would be prudent to construct a berm or place
some concrete blocks along the bench immediately above
the portal as protection to people exiting the portal and
cannot inspect the highwall as people entering the portal
can observe changing conditions.
SUMMARY
This geotechnical assessment was required to be completed
within a couple week period. The timeliness relied on
the continuity of the geotechnical staff to have regularly
inspected, documented, and monitored the open pit slopes
as mining progressed. The observational data informs engi-
neering judgement only gained by on site experience.
REFERENCES
Sheets, R.J., (2017), Geotechnical News, Proposed New
Portal Location: Surface Geotechnical Highwall
Review, Issue 43, First Quarter, 2017.
Basson, F. R. P. (2012), Rigid body dynamics for rock fall
trajectory simulation, Proceedings of the 46th US
Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium, Chicago,
IL, USA, 24–17 July 2012, ARMA 12-267.
Basrock (2015), Trajec3D Manual, April 2015.
BasRock (2016), Newsletter, 2016 Quarter 4.