Slope Stability Analysis Under a Complex Geotechnical Condition - A Case Study

Slope failures in a mining project will contribute to significant safety impacts and economic losses. Therefore, it is imperative for mining engineers to analyse and design an open pit mine considering safety purposes. In this study, a limit equilibrium method using GeoSlope-Slope/W program was used to investigate the stability of an open pit mining slope for a proposed mining activity based on a case study in Tanjung Enim, District of Muara Enim, Province of South Sumatera - Indonesia. The results of this study reveal that the slope design for the proposed mining activity is technically not in stable condition due to the shear force of the slope is higher than its shear strength. Such mechanism occurs due to the existence of a complex geotechnical condition beneath the surface, such as faults and discontinuities, which then lead to the reduction of slope strength. Having an inapplicable proposed slope design, this study proposes a re-design of slope for safety purposes in order to support the future mining operation. The analysis approach proposed in this study can be a viable alternative to assess the stability of slopes in any mining operation when a complex geotechnical condition exists.