Slope stability analysis of Sefidabeh antimony open-pit walls

In this study, the wall slope stability of the Sefidabeh antimony open-pit mine has been investigated. According to the geometry of the mining pit, three areas of the northern, middle, and southern pits have been considered, and each of them has been divided into the walls of the eastern, western, northern, and southern walls (A total of ۸ walls have been examined). The geometric and mechanical characteristics of more than ۵۰۰ rock joints have been surveyed in the entire mining pit area. Then, using the surveyed characteristics of the rock mass, the SMR rating of each wall was calculated, and the required stabilization measures were proposed based on it. Based on the results of the SMR rating, the walls of the middle pits and the eastern walls of the northern and southern pits need local improvement. Then, the rock mass of the walls was modeled and analyzed using FLAC ۲D software. Based on the modeling results, the safety factor of all walls was found to be between ۲.۷۸ and ۴.۸۸, which, considering a minimum safety factor of ۱.۳ for the stability of the walls, indicates that all the mine walls are currently stable. Finally, assuming a GSI = ۵۰, the lowest geological strength index surveyed from the walls, a sensitivity analysis of the slopes was performed with respect to changes in the overall slope angle, the height of the walls (mine depth), and changes in the compressive strength of the rocks. The results are presented in the form of graphs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sefidabeh antimony mine ، FLAC ۲D ، SMR ، Open-pit mine slope design ، Geotechnical modeling ، Rock mass characterization