LESSONS LEARNT FROM OPEN PIT WALL INSTABILITIES: CASE STUDIES OF BC OPEN PIT HARD ROCK MINES
Slope stability is a critical safety and production issue for mining. Major wall failures can occur seemingly without any visual warning, causing loss of life, damage to equipment, and disruption to the mining process. This study reviews eight different mine operations at different geographical locations. The eight case histories discuss the challenges mining operations have faced regarding instabilities over three decades. Recent rock slope instabilities are also discussed to verify the similarities and differences in past and recent instabilities. The studies show how all the instabilities have been managed, and outline recommendations that will benefit present and future pit operations in managing slope stability issues. The case histories were chosen based on the availability of the data obtained from the mine operations, literature reviews, and consulting reports. At the time this study was conducted, one of the BC mines (Mount Polley) had no records of instabilities in their operation.