Predictive assessment of pit wall stability in a tectonically stressed rock mass

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-5S-93-99

Читать на русскоя языкеI.E. Semenova, I.M. Avetisyan
Mining Institute Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5S / 2023 р. 93-99

Abstract: The article presents an approach to determining the stability of the pit walls and benches using a set of methods. The results of numerical modeling of the stress-and-strain state are presented for the rock mass in vicinities of one of the quarries in the Khibiny Apatite Arc. Calculations were made using elastic approach to a three-dimensional finite-element model which incorporates basic geological, mining engineering and geomechanical data. The impact of gravitational and tectonic stress field is demonstrated on the stability of the pit wall and benches during its development. Potentially unstable areas have been determined in the wall and benches of the open pit design contour. The identified features of the stress-and-strain state of the rock mass in vicinities of the pit wall make it possible to increase the justification level of technical solutions for the development of surface mining operations and to design preventive measures that would ensure the stability of structural elements of the open pit.

Keywords: pit wall stability, tectonically stressed rock masses, stress-and-strain state, surface mining, numerical modelling

For citation: Semenova I.E., Avetisyan I.M. Predictive assessment of pit wall stability in a tectonically stressed rock mass. Russian Mining Industry. 2023;(5S.):93–99. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-5S-93-99

Article info

Received: 25.09.2023

Revised: 07.11.2023

Accepted: 13.11.2023

Information about the authors

Inna E. Semenova – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Head of the Sector of Prediction of rockburst hazard of rock deposits, Mining Institute, Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ivan M. Avetisyan – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Research Associate, Mining Institute, Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Apatity, Russian Federation

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