Calculating stability of overburden dumps on weak bases

Abstract

The scope of the discussion covers the issues of open pit mining efficiency and safety with dry overburden dumping over sludge base. The stress analysis of a dump at Kedrovsky Open Pit Mine uses finite element modeling of linearly deformable medium based on geotechnical, surveying and hydromechanical data. The modeling produces the field of displacements of the dump and its base and the distribution of the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion. The sludge base breakout-hazardous areas are revealed, and the displacements of the growing dump are predicted. The developed model enables operational forecasting of strength loss at dumps.