Friction: Edition 9 | July 2023
FROM THE EDITOR
Geotechnical risk management is an important part of the mine design and hazard management process. In this edition we look at why it should be built into your mine design from the beginning. We see how you progress through the mine design phase the efficacy of available hazard mitigation options reduces. A proactive process can significantly improve mining performance and avoid costly and dangerous situations.
We also talked to Adrienna Robotham, Geotechnical Engineering Manager Open Cut at Anglo American Steelmaking Coal, about her role, experience and future trends in the industry.
Make sure to keep an eye out on our events calendar to find an event near you. And, don’t forget Friction’s Associations Directory if you are interested in joining a geotechnical association in your area.
If you have something you would like to share with us, please contribute at friction.news
Regards,
Tim Cartledge
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Geotech risk management: why it pays to build it into your mine design from the outset
Sound geotechnical analysis can have myriad positive effects on mine design, planning and productivity and the earlier geotechnical teams are introduced to the design process, the greater the benefit.
Design optimisation is often at the forefront of the minds of mine planning teams. Questions like ‘Where can we maximise our recovery and minimise our costs?’ and ‘How can we build safety into our everyday operations?’ plague discussions and decisions in the early phases of mine design.
By involving geotechnical engineers at this crucial juncture and giving them a greater influence on mine design can allow for improved designs, optimised resource recovery, optimal safety outcomes and a better financial return.
Adam Kerr, Senior Engineering Geologist – Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics discusses the perils and pitfalls of not engaging sound geotechnical analysis at the beginning of a mine design process.
Q&A with Adrienna Robotham
Everyone has a story to tell, and this month we asked Geotechnical Engineering Manager Open Cut at Anglo American Steelmaking Coal, Adrienna Robotham the hard questions.
NEWS, PUBLICATIONS AND UPDATES
Discrete Element Code (cdem2D)
The Discrete Element Code (cdem2D) aims to provide insights into the key processes in driving structural development at various scales, and fill in the gaps and understanding of incomplete real data.
The numerical analogues show examples and faulting and fracturing in the early stages, whilst the growth strata are as strong as the pre growth..
Non-Daylighting Wedges (NDWs) in Pit Slopes
One of the biggest challenges in pit slope management is the Evaluation of Non-Daylighting Wedges (NDWs). With the introduction of WSPs FracMan code and 3DPOF stress analysis, geotechnical professionals can now understand the probability of occurrence and access the stability of larger multi-bench scale NDWs.
New Global Tectonic Map
After 10 years of hard work the new tectonic map is out. It covers a huge amount of available geophysical and geological datasets. Check out the map below.
Powering a sustainable future
In the latest episode of the On The Rocks podcast we hear from Alicia Eastman on how we can power a sustainable future.
From the origin of Green Hydrogen to all renewable sources, this podcast goes into the infrastructural needs and obstacles to overcome in the sustainable energy space.
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