Date
08 May 1984, 10:15 am - 5:00 pm
Abstract
Open pit mining generally involves moving large quantities of waste rock to disposal areas which are usually located near the mine. This waste rock must be disposed of in a safe, economical, and environmentally acceptable manner. The stability of the waste dump depends to a great extent on the physical properties of the underlying foundation. Information must be obtained to define and assess the strength, consolidation, distribution, topographic and hydrogeologic properties for the foundation materials. Methods for obtaining estimates of the material properties include: laboratory and field testing, back analysis, and indirect estimates from other material properties. Mining operations in mountainous terrain generally necessitate development of waste rock dumps on areas of moderate to steeply sloping terrain. The design and monitoring of these waste embankments are an integral part of the mine planning function, and present a challenge to the geotechnical engineer. Close coordination with mining operations is also required to ensure proper dump construction. Described is a case history of a large scale rail dump settlement episode which extended over an area of approximately 20 acres. Boundary and crest tension cracks closely followed original drainage topography leading to the belief that displacements were foundation soil (clay) related. Active and passive blocks were distinctly exhibited. Concentrated dumping with attendant foundation pore pressure buildup were principal causes for the settlement.
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Meeting Name
1st Conference of the International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Document Version
Final Version
Rights
© 1984 University of Missouri--Rolla, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
File Type
text
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Zovodni, Z. M.; Tygesen, J. D.; and Pereus, S. C., "Open Pit Mine Rock Dump Geotechnical Evaluation" (1984). International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering. 23.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/icchge/1icchge/1icchge-theme3/23
Open Pit Mine Rock Dump Geotechnical Evaluation
Open pit mining generally involves moving large quantities of waste rock to disposal areas which are usually located near the mine. This waste rock must be disposed of in a safe, economical, and environmentally acceptable manner. The stability of the waste dump depends to a great extent on the physical properties of the underlying foundation. Information must be obtained to define and assess the strength, consolidation, distribution, topographic and hydrogeologic properties for the foundation materials. Methods for obtaining estimates of the material properties include: laboratory and field testing, back analysis, and indirect estimates from other material properties. Mining operations in mountainous terrain generally necessitate development of waste rock dumps on areas of moderate to steeply sloping terrain. The design and monitoring of these waste embankments are an integral part of the mine planning function, and present a challenge to the geotechnical engineer. Close coordination with mining operations is also required to ensure proper dump construction. Described is a case history of a large scale rail dump settlement episode which extended over an area of approximately 20 acres. Boundary and crest tension cracks closely followed original drainage topography leading to the belief that displacements were foundation soil (clay) related. Active and passive blocks were distinctly exhibited. Concentrated dumping with attendant foundation pore pressure buildup were principal causes for the settlement.
