RISC MANAGEMENT POSSIBILITIES OF SLIDING PROCESSES IN OPEN PIT MINES Metodi Mazhdrakov, m.mazhdrakov@acmo-2006.eu Dobriyan Benov, d.benov@acmo-2006.

eu Nikolai Mihaylov, n_mihaylov@geoconstruct-bg.com () , . . , , . . Modern mnes for nonferrous metals characterstcs End of century marks the exhaustion of the most "rich" deposits of ores of nonferrous metals. To be profitable mining even under fluctuating metal prices on the London Stock Exchange, had to make technical and technological modernization of the mines that developed relatively poor, but large-volume deposits of mineral resources. Currently, open pits for the extraction of ores of nonferrous metals are characterized by several factors: - array separation, transportation and filling of significant mining materials - over 10 million t underground wealth and hence 30-40 million m3 of overburden; - application of high-performance machines, such as excavators with bucket volume over 15-20 m3, with a dumper capacity over 120-150 t, speed drills, etc.; - machinery that allows mining to be carried out dynamically and on large areas, putting increased demands on the operational management of sites; - extraction technology requires a long period to be large open areas (over several km2), which distorts the natural balance of the array and creates opportunities for slide boards. From this description of the technical system "Open pit mine is that the stability of slopes is a vital condition for the planned and continued development of the system. XX-th Safety factors of slopes The numerical indicator for assessing the steady state of the board is safety factor. By definition, the safety factor is the relationship between sliding and retaining forces, making it dependent to some extent adopted computational scheme. In Bulgaria, open pits are designed for safety factor between 1.2 and 1.3, which significantly exceeds the factor assumed for capital construction - 1.1 (10% reserve). Higher values of the safety factor is justified by several reasons. 1. Insufficient reliability of geotechnical parameters, from which is calculated the safery factor. This is due to their limited number, especially in the early stages of development of the field when are used samples from drilling nuts. As a rule, spatial change of the indicators is not followed and it is assumed that these indicators have the same value for each geological variety within the field. Not infrequently are encountered and unexpected manifestations, especially cracks tectonics. 2. The most frequently used computational schemes with which are calculated safety factors are based on the idea of circular-cylindrical slip surface expressed by Felenius [1]. Familiar solutions are also from G. L. Fisenko [2]. Typical of these schemes is that the array is represented by relatively large "elementary" objects and calculations are made using the previously set slip surface. Computer programs improve to some extent the realization of that principle, replace the intuition of the specialist with multivariate deployment slip

surface, but retain its circular-cylindrical nature. Furthermore, it is not certain that they will be playing a most dangerous variants of locating this surface. 3. Part of the reserve is due to the expected deviations from the technology of conducting mining operations. Negative impact occurs from acceleration, respectively delay, progress in some areas to project, technological gaps in mass bombings, etc. 4. An important reason for the higher reserve is the lack of active management of processes related to stability position of the board. It is not quite justified that the high safety factor does not require special measures by the management staff. So often is overlooked the need for observations of the board state, obtaining new values for geotechnical parameters, design of new boards, etc. The excavation of underground natural resources in high safety factor has a significant negative effect. This we will illustrate, using the popular model for the development of open pit with a truncated cone (Fig. 1) [eg. 3].

Fig. 1 We will use two indicators the absolute (k1) and the relative (k2) changes of the volume of overburden when changing the slope angle from to +1 k1 V V 1 , million m 3 ,

V . V 1 The example (fig. 2 and fig. 3) is calculated with the following parameters of a hypothetical open pit: - vertical thickness of the underground resource, HUNR=150 m; - vertical thickness of overburden, H0=300 m; - radius of the lower base, R0=100 m; - amendment to the General board angle, between 30 and 40. k2

Fig. 2

Fig. 2 shows the absolute change in the volume of overburden, which corresponds to an increase in the angle of the slope with 1 (the red line) or to the average angle - 35 (the green line). It appears that the change is significant, especially in 30-35; such change in the angle of 31 to 32 (Item A, Fig. 2) would save about 12 million m3 (in an optimistic estimate - 200 million BGN). Fig. 3 shows the relative change in the volume of overburden, which corresponds to an increase in this angle of 1 (the red line) or relative to the average angle of 35 (the green line). It is clear that the change k1 is significant, especially in the area 30-35; such change in the angle of 32 to 31 (point A, Fig. 3) would increase the entire excavation with some 7% (k2 = 1.07).

Fig. 3 What s the outcome? These potential losses explains the fact, that in world practice are increasingly working with a safety factor between 0.9 and 1.1. In order not to be an engineering adventure, work with a reduced safety factor should be made subject to certain rules. To this end, we offer one possible flow diagram (Fig. 4). The diagram includes the following successive processes. 1. Determination of the actual physical-mechanical properties and cracks in the array. As an update we are understanding not only collecting a sufficient number of new samples, but using of modern tools and methods for determining their properties. It is particularly important to identify cracks in large areas of mines.
1. Finding the physicomechanical parameters, cracks

2. Geometrisation in 3D

4. Choosing computational scheme

3. Design

? yes

no

5. Factual state of the slopes

8. Management

6. Displacement analysis

7. Analysis of the results

Fig. 4

2. The information gathered should be presented in a 3D model, taking into account the spatial variability within the same geological type [4,5]. It is especially important to follow the anisotropy of the indicators and to find the main directions of their volatility. 3. The calculation of stability must be an integral part of the project for development of mining operations for over one year period. Therefore, the computational scheme for stability of the slopes is an integral part of design, and runs on any change in the situation. 4. The choice of computational scheme is essential. In our view, at present, sufficiently adequate results are obtained by applying variants of the finite element method [eg. 6]. Finite Element Method is designed for numerically solving partial differential equations. As is known, this class of equations is used for mathematical modeling of physical processes, incl. also processes that occur as a result of the conduct of mining operations in the rock massif. The task is solved in the plane (x, y), in this case - vertical sections in the soles of the open pit, and the physical and mechanical properties of rocks, cracks and mining operations are defined in that coordinate system. There are also options that solves the task in three-dimensional space (3D Nearest-Nodes Finite Element Method (NN-FEM)) [eg. 7.8]. The idea of the method is to divide the array into node of irregular mesh of triangles and/or rectangles, so that for each node point the dependencies between stress and strains and between strains and displacements can be considered linear and is represented by polynomials involving the coordinates the node. To obtain a meaningful assessment of the status of the massif with the finite element method, must be fulfilled certain requirements. One of these requirements are related to the applied mathematical tools. These include defining the boundary conditions of the decision, ensuring stability and convergence of the calculation and verification of uniqueness of the solution. The reliability and adequacy of input data for the geotechnical properties of the massif is very important. The aggregation of indicators over large areas or within geological formations, renders the advantage of the large number of nodes. Important for the reliability and shaping the final results are also the used implementations and their relationship to the numerical models of mine sites and geotechnical parameters. We should note that the computer realization of the finite element method, especially with a large number of variants of the input information, requires higher computing resources. Application of the finite element method in a hypothetical open pit can be traced in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Fig. 5 shows the input - geotechnical section with the situation of mining works, the boundaries of geological types and cracks. Fig. 6 shows the environment, divided by the irregular triangular mesh, which is characteristic of the finite element method.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6 Fig. 7 is obtained after the calculation process. In blue color in appropriate scale is outlined the area of deformation and is shows the estimated cumulative displacement of the vertices of triangles (in Fig. 7 is not visible due to small scale).

Fig. 7 Of course, the results must be interpreted by specialists, and depends on the particular situation. 1. Based on the project, with smaller or larger deviations, is realized the factual state of the boards. 2. The active managements first event is the study of displacements of certain points (control benchmarks) [9.10]. The number and the location of these points must correspond to the expected dangerous places, which are derived from the applied calculation scheme or determined after the assessment process of experts. Modern technologies and technical resources, known as Geo-robot, makes the ability to measure the projections of the vector displacement of fiducial marks with minimal work and in sufficiently small time interval [11]. These results must be analyzed by appropriate methods. Conditional analysis divide into three groups. - the first group aims to outline the zone of displacement and setting out the essential factors that may have influence on the process; it is graphic and analytical data processing for single or group profile lines, respectively benchmarks, over time, where the most important parameters are the cumulative size of the vector of displacement, movement speed of benchmarks and areas with deformations of pressure and tension; - the second group of studies concern the computational scheme; this consists of defining any slip surfaces, the determination of cracks, from which happens the movements (Fig. 8 and Fig. 9), control the calculation of stability to the current situation on board; - the third group of tests will lead to appropriate mathematical models, eg. Fourier line, establishing relationships and forecasting processes. Fig. 8 represents the relative statistical frequencies of the azimuth of the cracks, on which eventually is expected displacements. It can be seen clearly expressed maximum corresponding to the azimuth between 100 and 120. Fig. 9 shows relative statistical frequencies of the cracks inclination, on which eventually is expected displacements. This inclination is between 30 and 50. For an explanation of the obtained maximums, further analysis should be done.

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

3. The most important element of the scheme in Fig. 4 is the active management of the process. This management should be carried out by a team of highly qualified specialists. It is appropriate to be developed activities, that can be implemented in the event of a situation, i.e. prior to be traced the connection symptom event effect prevention activities. Conclusons From this survey can be made the following conclusions and recommendations: 1. Slope stability is a vital condition for the systematic and continuous development of the technical system "Open pit mine. For numerical indicator for assessing the stability of the boards is used the safety factor. 2. In Bulgaria, open pits are designed with values for the safety factor between 1.2 and 1.3, taking into account a number of risk factors. 3. The seizure of underground natural resources in unjustified high safety factor has a significant negative effect. 4. In world practice, increasingly is working with a safety factor between 0.9 and 1.1, which however shall be subject to certain rules. 5. Computational scheme for stability of the slopes must be an integral part of current design tools for the development of mining operations. At present, sufficiently adequate results are obtained using the finite element method. 6. The study of actual movements is extremely important event when working with a reduced safety factor. Of course, the results should be promptly analyzed. 7. The most important element of the proposed approach is to actively manage the process stability, which must be conducted by a team of highly qualified specialists. Of course, the compliance with the flow diagram (Fig. 4) is not 100% guarantee for the stability of the slopes, but if the recommended measures are done, in the worst case - a landslide of large mining masses, it will be able to do reverse calculations and take appropriate conclusions, i.e. to earn valuable experience. References 1. Venkatramaiah, C. 1993. Geotechnical Engineering, New Age International Publishers, New Delhi, 905 p. 2. , ., ., , ., ., , ., ., 1962. , , , 138 . 3. Da, A., zer, ., 1995. Optimum open pit mine limit of Hekimhan-Deveci iron mine: Determination by the moving cone optimizing technique. Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, Balkema, Rotterdam, p. 45-48. 4. , ., 1974. . , , 383 .

5. , ., 2006. . , , 288 . 6. , ., , ., , . , . , . 7. Sevilla, R., Fernndez-Mndez, S., Huerta, A., 2008. 3D nurbs-enhanced finite element method. 7th Workshop on Numerical Methods in Applied Science and Engineering (NMASE 08), Vall de Nria. 8. Luo, Y., 2008. 3D Nearest-Nodes Finite Element Method for Solid Continuum Analysis. Adv. Theor. Appl. Mech., Vol. 1, No. 3, 131 139. 9. , ., , ., 2005. , - . . . , , . 387-392. 10. Ivanov, I., Royalski, G., 2009. Project for Observation of the Deformations of the Massif in Mine Ellatzite. Balkanmine 2009. 3rd Balkan Mining Congress, Izmir, p. 291-298. 11. , . . . (. www.acmo-2006.eu/library).