Engineering Challenges and Remedial Measures in Black Cotton Soil Dump Adjacent to Hamlet: A Case Study from Opencast Mine

Due to its intricate challenges, Black cotton (BC) soil is dumped separately in mining areas, and this study focuses on a BC soil dump at an open-cast mine site. This soil, characterized by cohesion of ۲۶-۴۰ kPa and internal friction angle of ۱۳°-۱۷°, exhibits significant expansion and contraction with moisture fluctuations, swelling during wet periods, and shrinking during dry spells, posing considerable challenges in mining areas. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has suggested constructing a ۱۵-۲۰m wall to protect the village on the periphery of the BC soil dump of ۳۶m height. This study aimed to identify sustainable and economical alternative feasible remedial solutions. Field testing, including borehole investigation, was conducted to determine the stratigraphy beneath the dump. Numerical analysis using SLOPE/W software was performed for slope optimization and to evaluate remedial measures such as stone pitching and rockfill trench. The study shows that the dump can be stabilized using the design modification and possible cost-effective measures. Based on field observations, dump material testing, and numerical analysis, alternative remedial measures were proposed and implemented. The study also includes a cost-benefit analysis of the recommended remedial measures.

کلیدواژه ها:

Opencast mining ، OB dump ، Black cotton soil ، Slope Stability ، Remedial measures