Substantiation of Stable Pitwall Parameters Based on the Mining Rock Mass Rating

Abstract

A set of geomechanical studies is carried out to justify the angles of stable slopes in the Dzhetygarinsky open-pit mine, including testing the physico-mechanical properties of rocks, studying the structure of adjacent rock mass, determining the values of the mining rock mass rating (MRMR) and zoning the open-pit surface according to Professor Laubscher’s classification. The values of slope angles of open-pit benches are recommended, and the measures to ensure their stability are developed. The factors affecting the adjacent rock mass most negatively are identified in classifying the rocks of open-pit mine surface. It is found that the effect of certain factors can be significantly reduced, which allows increasing the values of pitwall control angles while maintaining the proper degree of mining safety.