Implementation of multi-tier integrated monitoring of wall stability in open pit mines

Rozanov I.Yu., Rybin V.V., Konstantinov K.N.
Mining Institute Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №1S / 2023 р. 135-141

Abstract: A large number of deposits are currently mined using the open-pit method. As mining progress, both the size and the depth of the pits increase. The more intensive the mining operations are, the greater the impact they have on the environment, including the host rock mass. This in turn affects the stability of both individual benches and the pit wall in general. In order to ensure the safety of mining operations it is necessary to obtain reliable information on changes in the condition of the rock mass and to identify potentially unstable areas of the open pit. It is impossible to obtain such information without an integrated system of geomechanical monitoring of the rock mass condition, which needs to take into account both heterogeneity of the rock mass and the types of geomechanical processes that take place inside it, as well as the scale of the deformation zone. Various in-situ methods are currently used to monitor the stability of the pit walls, which cover both individual benches, groups of benches and the pit wall as a whole, which in turn also implies a multi-tie process of monitoring the stability of the elements of the open pit mining system. This approach to monitoring involves treating the pit wall and its benches as specific engineering structures which their safe condition largely determines the sustainable and efficient operation of the mining enterprise as a whole. This approach is exemplified in the article by the integrated monitoring system organized in the Zhelezny open pit mine of the Kovdorsky GOK JSC.

Keywords: open-pit mining, quarry, integrated monitoring of bench stability, rock mass deformation, wall, slope, bench, mining system

For citation: Rozanov I.Yu., Rybin V.V., Konstantinov K.N. Implementation of multi-tier integrated monitoring of wall stability in open pit mines. Russian Mining Industry. 2023;(1 Suppl.):135–141. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-S1-135-141

Article info

Received: 21.01.2023

Revised: 07.02.2023

Accepted: 09.02.2023

Information about the authors

Ivan Yu. Rozanov – Researcher, Laboratory of Geomonitoring and sustainability of pit walls, Rock Mechanics Department, Mining Institute Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vadim V. Rybin – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher, Chief of Laboratory of Geomonitoring and Sustainability of Pit Walls, Rock Mechanics Department, Mining Institute Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Konstantin N. Konstantinov – Researcher, Laboratory of Geomonitoring and Sustainability of Pit Walls, Rock Mechanics Department, Mining Institute Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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