Geotechnical Considerations: Freedom Has Eloquently Been Described As " "

Integrated Waste Management
Geotechnical Considerations
 Freedom has eloquently been described as

"availability of alternatives"
ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

 Environmental responsibilities and political

involvement have effectively limited the availability
of mine planning alternatives.
to the degree that even a minor oversight regarding

location and design of an operational component could
lead to environmental and economic disaster, and
possible well deserved bondage.

 For this reason, logic dictates that it is no longer

merely desirable or economically astute, but critically
essential, to determine specific engineering
characteristics of rock and soil environments, before
finalizing mine component locational and
operational decisions.

Components Requiring Geotechnical Evaluation
 The list below summarizes typical mine components

that require geotechnical evaluations:
 Open pits.
 Underground shafts, adits, stops and
chambers.
 Plant processing facilities such as thickeners –
crushers, mills, vats, conveyors, pipelines, etc.


 Haul and access roads.

 Stormwater diversion and control facilities.
 Heap leach facilities.


 Overburden disposal facilities.

 Tailings disposal facilities.
 Ore and growth medium stockpiles.


 Solid waste disposal facilities.

 Administrative, storage and maintenance
structures.
 Sediment settling facilities.
 Fluid evaporation facilities.
 Borrow pits.

Geotechnical site selection
 During the site selection process, it’s important to

investigate the project components holistically, and
not only as individual facilities, because the only
absolutely timed component of a mine is the ore
body.

 To achieve economic and environmental stability, and

an optimum facilities layout, all potential
components must be considered at the site selection
stage.

 From a geotechnical point-of-view, to achieve

component / site compatibility, certain site- specific
properties must be considered.

 The degree to which a specific location satisfies the

realistic geotechnical requirements, will provide the
operator with essential information regarding;
 design and operating feasibility, and
 additional site-specific requirements
necessary to satisfy environmental
responsibilities.

 Relevant geotechnical site selection considerations

for each of the listed components are listed below;


Component Relevant Geotechnical Consideration
Open pits. Pit slope stability during operations, post-
mining and to suit reclamation
requirements.
Overburden and ore engineering
characteristics with regard to excavation,
blasting, recovery and transportation.
Post-mining, pit invert and sidewall
permeability characteristics with regard to
pit hydrological and hydrogeological
evaluations.

Underground Engineering characteristics and mechanics
Shafts, Adits, of host rock to determine stability and
Stopes, hydrogeological properties and operational
and Chambers. requirements, and methods of overburden
and ore recovery.


Plant Processing Foundation suitability with respect to
Facilities. settlement, heave, collapse, vibration, fluid
containment and bearing capacity.


Haul and Access Cut and fill slope stability requirements.
Roads
Trafficability with regard to foundation and
surface requirement.
Erodibility with regard to erosion and
sediment control requirements.
Source and suitability of road construction
material. Reclamation requirements and
techniques including stability and re-
vegetation.

Stormwater Ditch and berm stability requirements with
Diversion and respect to sideslope determination.
Control Facilities
Ditch and berm scour resistance with
respect to hydraulic design and
scour protection.
Foundation characteristics for energy
dissipation structures.


Heap Leach Engineering characteristics of ore with
Facilities. regard to fluids infiltration, retention
and through flow; methods of ore
placement; operational and post
reclamation settlement and mass stability;
surface stability; volume
occupation; sediment generation;
weathering and decomposition and
reclamation requirements.


Heap Leach Engineering characteristics of near surface
Facilities. foundation geology with regard
to permeability, bearing capacity, stability,
liquefaction potential,
collapse potential, heave, gradability,
suitability for base construction,
suitability for liner or subliner construction.


Heap Leach Engineering characteristics of deeper
Facilities. geology with regard to vertical and
horizontal permeability, preferential flow
paths, depth to groundwater,
groundwater recharge potential, and
attenuation potential.


Overburden Engineering characteristics of overburden
Disposal with regard to fluids infiltration,
Facilities. retention, and through flow; methods of
placement; operational and post-
reclamation settlement and mass stability;
liquefaction potential; volume
occupational sediment generation; surface
stability; weathering and decomposition
potential and reclamation requirements.

Preliminary Evaluation of Site Suitability
 Before embarking on a program of detailed field

work and laboratory analysis,
1st: carry out a preliminary evaluation of the

overall site,
to determine the potential for site-specific,

geotechnical influenced environmental flaws.

 Before embarking on a program of detailed field

work and laboratory analysis,
then: design a preferred preliminary component

layout based upon these findings.
alternative feasible layouts should

also be identified.

 Subsequent detailed field work and investigation

procedures can then be defensibly minimized, and
cost effectively scheduled;
 to provide site-specific quantitative data.
 verify or disprove previously identified
potential flaws.

 Listed below are examples of data gathering records

research that should be carried out during
preliminary evaluation:
 Topographical features from any available
topographical mapping.
 Local geology and hydrogeological indications
from exploratory work already performed.


 Regional geology and hydrogeology from
published government or private sources.
 Government guidelines for operation closure and
reclamation of mine facilities.


 Plans of Operations, Closure and Reclamation
Plans, and any other environmental or operational
data pertaining to either neighboring operations,
or similar operations with similar topographical,
geological, hydrogeological, climatological or
geotechnical conditions.


 Informal discussions with locally available
technical and non-technical experts,
e.g., consultants, government mining

unions, local farmers, etc.

 Site surface reconnaissance to;

 provide an indication of surface geology and
vegetation.
 validate topographical features recorded, i .e.,
springs, perennial streams, valley site, etc.


 obtain a clear understanding of available
access for subsequent field work.
 obtain an indication of neighboring and down
gradient surface and ground water resources.


 obtain familiarity with the site, which is often
lacking at the planning stage.

 The above data, together with envisioned

operational tonnages and volumes, etc., should then
be used to create a preferred facilities location
layout, and alternative feasible layouts.

 Each component layout should indicate envisioned

post-mining and post-reclamation disturbance.

 This exercise should be seen as a pre-design phase I,

geotechnical audit to help routinely;
 identify potential environmental concerns.
 define the scope extent of phase II soil, rock
and groundwater characterization required.

Specific determination of site suitability
 Having completed the preliminary evaluation of the

site and selected preferred and, where applicable,
alternative feasible comparent locations, a site-
specific evaluation of pertinent geotechnical data
can be planned and implemented.

 The intensity of field investigation and laboratory

analysis should be directly proportional to the degree
of uncertainty regarding;
 site-specific geotechnical data.
 the nature and number of site-specific
environmental concerns.

 The intensity of field investigation and laboratory

analysis should be directly proportional to the degree
of uncertainty regarding;
 the number of feasible alternative component
locations identified.
 the degree of variation in overall geologic
uniformity.

 As the data gleaned from geotechnical field work and

analysis can be prone to subjective evaluation, and
the need for additional investigation and analysis
both costly and time consuming, it is best to;
 characterize the data types required, and
 design an appropriate work plan which will
satisfy all data requirements.

 Suggested data type characterizations are

summarized below:


Data Required for : This data includes;
Standard Engineering
Design  engineering characteristics.
 degree of uniformity, depth and aerial
extent of surface, foundation and
borrow source material.
for structure foundations, associated with;

will allow the
embankments, roads,  operational safety.
defensible
cuttings, slopes, erosion and  resource
performance of
other standard engineered determination.
design,
facilities.  maintenance
minimization.

Data Required for : Also included under this data type,
Standard Engineering but not usually determinable during the
Design field investigation stages of a project are
exact engineering characteristics of
mining;
 overburden.
 ore.
 process solid waste such as tailings.


Data Required for : This data should be realistically
Standard Engineering approximated from pertinent published
Design data sets from similar operations.


Data Required for : An appropriately conservative
Standard Engineering approximation of these data should be
Design Applied;
 to avoid regulatory appeal against
data used, as well as,
 to insure that design integrity is met.


Data Required for : Assumptions should be verified as
Standard Engineering soon as representative samples of
Design relevant material can be analysed, and
any necessary modifications
incorporated in the design.


Data Required for : Conservative assumptions may result
Standard Engineering in beneficial modifications, whereas
Design optimistic assumptions may necessitate
costly changes to design and operation.


Data Required for : This data includes the characteristics
"Environmental" of the surface and subsurface geology
Engineering Design which govern the relationship between
process fluids contained at surface, and
the groundwater system beneath the
site.


Data Required for : For many mining operations, zero
"Environmental" discharge conditions are required,
Engineering Design
meaning no discharge of process

related solutions into site surface
or groundwater systems.


Data Required for : Whereas containment sizing and
"Environmental" stormwater diversion may be effectively
Engineering Design used to achieve zero discharge to
surface water systems, it is very difficult,
if not impossible to totally eliminate
seepage.


Data Required for : To comply with environmental
"Environmental" requirements, it is therefore necessary
Engineering Design to define;
 the degree of geologic and/or hydrogeologic

containment applicable.
 the degree to which this containment
potential requires artificial reinforcement to
ensure significant environmental impact to the
groundwater system.


Data Required for : The terms "significant" or
"Environmental" "insignificant" may be subjectively used,
Engineering Design and not necessarily quantitatively
defined, and subject to negotiation with
regulatory agencies.


Data Required for : Example: if no groundwater exists, or
"Environmental" the depth to groundwater is great,
Engineering Design quantification of an impact may have
little meaning.


Data Required for : Example: Conversely, if the potential
"Environmental" for adverse impact seems high,
Engineering Design identification and analysis of
hydrogeological pathways, and
hydrogeochemical reactions such as
dispersion, attenuation decay or dilution
of constituents contained in process
solutions, may be essential to
realistically quantify the impact.


Data Required for : The environmental engineering data
"Environmental" required should be tailored to suit the
Engineering Design potential for adverse environmental
impact and project sensitivity, and the
site-specific field work and analytical
program designed to fully incorporate
these needs.

 The "acceptance" of the absolute necessity for valid

geotechnical data, and planning and implementation of
an efficient data gathering and analytical program are
critical to the concept of environmental sound mine
planning, development, operation, closure and
reclamation.

 As such, geotechnical evaluation should be rated as

important as the ore reserve determination in the
justification of the project feasibility, and not merely a
necessary evil to satisfy regulatory curiosity, as has
occurred in the past.

 This philosophy will likely increase initial project

investigation costs, but allow defensible minimization of
development, operational, closure and reclamation costs
and long-term environmental liability, and maximize the
acceptance and life of the mining industry.

Geotechnical Considerations: Freedom Has Eloquently Been Described As " "

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Geotechnical Considerations: Freedom Has Eloquently Been Described As " "

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Integrated Waste Management

 Freedom has eloquently been described as

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

 Environmental responsibilities and political

to the degree that even a minor oversight regarding

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

 For this reason, logic dictates that it is no longer

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Components Requiring Geotechnical Evaluation

 The list below summarizes typical mine components

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Components Requiring Geotechnical Evaluation

 The list below summarizes typical mine components

 Haul and access roads.

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Components Requiring Geotechnical Evaluation

 The list below summarizes typical mine components

 Overburden disposal facilities.

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Components Requiring Geotechnical Evaluation

 The list below summarizes typical mine components

 Solid waste disposal facilities.

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

 During the site selection process, it’s important to

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

 To achieve economic and environmental stability, and

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

 From a geotechnical point-of-view, to achieve

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

 The degree to which a specific location satisfies the

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

 Relevant geotechnical site selection considerations

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Geotechnical site selection

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Preliminary Evaluation of Site Suitability

 Before embarking on a program of detailed field

1st: carry out a preliminary evaluation of the

to determine the potential for site-specific,

ENE710S WASTE MANAGEMENT

Preliminary Evaluation of Site Suitability

 Before embarking on a program of detailed field

then: design a preferred preliminary component

alternative feasible layouts should