Mining Depth Assessment for Tailings Considering Existing Open-Pit Slope Stability
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
The recovery and utilization of tailings can reduce safety risks in open-pit mines while improving resource efficiency. This study develops a stability model for tailings recovery based on current slope and ore pillar conditions, incorporating mechanical parameters of tailings and waste rock from laboratory tests. Results indicate that complete extraction of Tailings Ore Body No. 1 in Section 1 caused no landslides, whereas excavation to 35 m in Section 2 triggered large-scale sliding on the southern slope. In Sections 3–7, northern waste rock slopes experienced varying degrees of failure after full extraction. To ensure stability, Section 2 should adopt a stepped scheme: after mining 15 m at a 20° slope angle, excavate an additional 10 m, reserve a 10 m bench, and repeat to the ore body bottom. This approach prevents southern slope failure while stabilizing the system. For northern slopes, applying a 35° slope angle effectively eliminated sliding across all profiles.
