E&MJ spotlights Geotechnical Center of Excellence
The Engineering and Mining Journal features Brad Ross to discuss pit slope stability.
Today, slope heights are pushing limits that miners were only thinking about conceptually 10 to 20 years ago. Photo: Carly Leonida.
In the field of slope stability, the mining industry finds itself at an inflection point; a time of great challenge, yet also one of great opportunity thanks to a nexus of factors. Pits are reaching unprecedented depths as ore grades decline and companies delve deeper to reach their resources.
The Geotechnical Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona is an industry-funded and member-led organization dedicated to bridging gaps that exist between academia, industry, and fields of study through a collaborative approach to research and education.
Founder and MGE Professor of Practice Brad Ross explained: “Pit depth is a huge risk today. Ore grades are decreasing, strip ratios are increasing, and the sheer volume of material that needs to be moved means that we’re mining faster.
“All these factors affect rock stress and structures in different ways. And the truth is, we don’t know what the full effects of these changes will be yet.”
Read about the future of slope stability.