SLOPE STABILITY MONITORING
Monitoring – LATAM explained that GroundProbe now has nine different products when considering both radar and laser-based systems , with the selection based on the risk combined with the intensity of monitoring required . This includes five main predictive radars for different levels of critical monitoring – and only GroundProbe provides a radar-agnostic approach , offering 3D Real Aperture Radar , 2D Real Aperture Radar and 2D Synthetic Aperture Radar ; as well as a doppler radar option for reactive monitoring .
SSR-XT is a 3D Real Aperture Radar ( RAR ) for monitoring slope movements within a targeted area including movements that pose a potential or immediate threat ; SSR-Omni is a rotational 2D Real Aperture Radar ( RAR ) offering an ultra-fast , all-encompassing scan over the broadest of areas with the highest resolution ; SSR-FX , a 2D Real Aperture Radar ( RAR ) designed to detect new risks and hazards , covering vast mine areas for longer periods ; SSR-Agilis - a standalone vehicle monitoring system designed to protect personnel and valuable equipment in active working areas of a mine site ; and SSR-SARx , a 2D Synthetic Aperture Radar ( SAR ) designed to detect new risks and hazards from long ranges but with high resolution .
Then you have one reactive radar - RGR-Velox ( Reactive Geohazard Radar ) - a high-precision reactive monitoring and alarming tool for tailings dam breaches , landslides , avalanches , and large slope failures . “ This was developed in response to the major tailings dam failures – it gives you real time , instantaneous warning .”
Within other predictive technologies you have three LiDAR based products – GMS-Prism , GMS- Dual and GML ; and finally satellite based options including an InSAR service in in partnership with 3vGeomatics ( 3vG ) as well as GNSS-based monitoring . These are all lower intensity options for non-critical monitoring .
Last but not least , another string to GroundProbe ’ s bow is BlastVision , which takes custom high-speed drone video footage of a blast as it happens . Using world-first advanced proprietary algorithms and modern AI frameworks , it converts the footage into vector maps of movement and analytics data . Data is remotely analysed in a custom software platform , with insights swiftly reported back to the site . From these insights , mine site personnel can optimise blasting and monitor the impacts of blasting , improving both safety and productivity . It was the first product to really see a high level of integration between GroundProbe and Orica , tying into Orica ’ s advanced blasting services .
Seequent introduces SLOPE3D
Seequent , The Bentley Subsurface Company , has announced the release of SLOPE3D , an advanced
Slope monitoring using drones
One option for surveying open pit mine walls , especially those in awkward and inaccessible positions for fixed scanning equipment , is the use of autonomous drones . Examining rock faces from inaccessible areas allows the mine operator to obtain detailed geometry of cracks , fractures , joints , and other discontinuities on the rock face that can ’ t necessarily be seen from the ground . Mining drone surveying specialist in mining Exyn Technologies says using autonomous drones means faster and easier missions , with repeatable scans meaning survey teams can constantly be on the look out for deformations that could lead to accidents that can injure personnel or damage equipment . This applies both to surface and underground mines . Survey teams can plot discontinuity data and determine potential rock slope failure modes . The ExynPak and ExynAero both use a Velodyne LiDAR scanner as their main sensor . ExynAI uses the LiDAR data to intelligently navigate complex , dynamic environments while in flight , then produces a high fidelity point cloud once the robot has completed its mission .
slope stability analysis tool that , it says , empowers geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists to design safer slopes .
Building on the capabilities of GeoStudio ’ s trusted 2D SLOPE / W product , SLOPE3D is an intuitive limit equilibrium solution for analysing rock and soil slopes in mining and civil projects – for example , hillslopes , open-pit mines , and engineered structures such as dams and levees .
GeoStudio ’ s powerful and easy-to-use interface provides a unique modelling and analysis experience , according to the company . Multiple 3D geometries and analyses can be added to a single project and solved simultaneously . Geo-professionals can include SLOPE3D analyses in existing 2D stability projects for efficient results comparison .
SLOPE3D connects directly with Seequent ’ s geological modelling software , Leapfrog , via Seequent Central , and integrates with GeoStudio ’ s SEEP3D . This creates a seamless workflow with smooth data exchange and simpler data management to improve project accuracy and outcomes .
IM caught up with Pieter Neethling , Segment Director , Mining Operations at Seequent for some more insight into the technology . He says SLOPE3D can be used extensively in mining to help increase the safety and risk assessment of geotechnical structures . “ Open pit stability can be simulated for the factor of safety and failure mechanisms on the pit slope , along with back analysis of open pit highwall failures . Users can also analyse the construction and operation of Tailings Dams for failure risk mitigation . SLOPE 3D also has interoperability with Seequent ’ s Leapfrog via the cloud-based Central application .”
He emphasised that structural features such as faults and discontinuities that control rock mass behaviour are important factors in controlling the stability of rock slopes . In many cases , the structure determines the complexity of the failure mechanism , which could range from translational to a complex multi-mechanism failure . In sedimentary rocks , planes of weakness can occur on the bedding , leading to sliding if the bedding daylights . In the same manner , fault planes often generate sliding surfaces or release surfaces . Capturing the impact of these geological structures on the calculated factor of safety is critical for the safe and optimal design of an open pit .
Neethling added : “ Both the shape and shear resistance of the sliding mass are altered for trial
SLOPE3D can be used extensively in mining to help increase the safety and risk assessment of geotechnical structures
24 International Mining | AUGUST 2023