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Back-Analysis of the Bingham Canyon South Wall: A Quasi-static Complex Slope Movement Mechanism

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Abstract

A 610-m-high portion of the South Wall of the Bingham Canyon open pit has experienced slow-moving slope deformations several times during spring melt until the movement was stabilized approximately 7 years ago. To develop and optimize life of mine slope designs, an understanding of the mechanism(s) and associated material strength parameters, was required. A back-analysis and calibration of the strength parameters for the salient rock mass and structural features was undertaken. The back-analysis consisted of understanding the conditions and trigger for the slope movement and adjusting strength parameters to match available monitoring data (time-domain reflectometer cables, inclinometers, interferometric radar data, etc.). The trigger for the movement was attributed to the spring high-perched water levels in the upper part of the wall. A FLAC3D model was built to back-analyze and capture the complex behavior of the slope during the high deformation period (August 2011). The back-analysis was consistent with the conceptual model and indicated that the slide was composed of mixed mechanisms, namely, a structurally controlled mechanism for the upper wall and a rock mass controlled mechanism for the lower wall (toe). The analysis supported by a converging FLAC3D model, were used to guide mining engineers in developing robust pit design in the South Wall. Today, the O-Slide instability is being fully managed by rigorous monitoring, implementation of a toe buttress, successful dewatering efforts, and unloading of the movement mass as another slice of mining advances down the South Wall.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper management and legal for support in development of this content; the modeling teams at Golder Associates who have contributed to this content. Call & Nicholas, Inc. and Itasca Consulting Group for their historic work on the O-Slide movement. In addition, we would like to thank the reviewers for their thoughtful comments and efforts towards improving this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rio Tinto Kennecott, 4700 W. Daybreak Parkway, Salt Lake City, UT, 84009, USA

    D. Cambio & D. D. Hicks

  2. Golder Associates Inc., 9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 270, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035, USA

    K. Moffitt & M. Yetisir

  3. Golder Associates Ltd., 6925 Century Ave, Suite 100, Mississauga, ON, L5N 7K2, Canada

    J. L. Carvalho

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  1. D. Cambio
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  2. D. D. Hicks
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  3. K. Moffitt
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  4. M. Yetisir
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  5. J. L. Carvalho
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Correspondence to D. Cambio.

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Cambio, D., Hicks, D.D., Moffitt, K. et al. Back-Analysis of the Bingham Canyon South Wall: A Quasi-static Complex Slope Movement Mechanism. Rock Mech Rock Eng 52, 4953–4977 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01958-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01958-7

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