A Conceptual Sector-Scale Numerical Modeling of a Landslide in an Open Pit Mine

Abstract

In this study, an old rotational landslide that has reactivated in the NW sector of an open-pit mine operated within the gneiss rock unit was evaluated for geological and hydrogeological properties. The pit slopes were susceptible to mass movement when there were variations in water inflows. Considering this fact, a conceptual numerical model concerning geostructural features, rainfall infiltration, and varying hydrological conditions was constructed. Initially, finite element (FE) groundwater seepage analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of water flow on stability in the dry and rainy seasons. The rainy season was simulated by vertical infiltration. Since the dewatering measures are of importance in open pit slope instability mitigation, pumping wells were designed to control water flow through the disturbed zone to improve the stability of the sector that can be triggered again with changing environmental conditions. The performance and organization of the pumping wells were also simulated in the FE model. This FE model was part of a dewatering plan. From this, the effect of the pumping rate from the wells on the stability of the sector was revealed. It was also found that there should be an increase in the pumping rate in the rainy season.