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GAMAH-R: a new mining rock slope classification system

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A Correction to this article was published on 23 July 2021

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Abstract

This article aims to present GAMAH-R as a new mining rock slope classification system, which was applied on three iron mines located in the western Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil. This system allows to determine the slope performance concerning drainage, geometry and deformation aspects based on visual inspection, using a classification chart. Additionally, it was possible to represent all slopes evaluated on a GAMAH-R Map, providing guidance, not only for monitoring, but also to assessment of slopes performance. The performance map of mine A, a hillside mine, shows that predominate T4 slopes, mainly due to erosive processes caused by inefficient drainage system. Mine B, a deep open pit, shows that the slopes belong to classes T5, T4, T3 and T2, due to the failure mechanisms. The mine C, due to some final pit slopes with geometry according to geotechnical sectorization and maintenance drainage system, indicates a predominance of slopes of class T2. Herein, a new methodological failure susceptibility slope analysis correlating the Global Slope Performance Index (GSPI) and GAMAH-R is presented. This correlation, still under study and development in the Ph.D. thesis of the first author, allows to insert the studied slope in a matrix of failure susceptibility, defined as “Matrix of Failure at Mining Rock Slope”. Slopes with medium–high and high failure susceptibility are selected for a stability analysis, with a probabilistic approach using the probability of failure calculation, and slopes with low and medium failure susceptibility can be evaluated using deterministic approach.

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adapted from Marinos and Hoek 2000 apud Sullivan 2013) and B geological structure hierarchy and GSPI classification (after Davis 1984 apud Sullivan 2013)

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Acknowledgements

The authors thanks to the Núcleo de Geotecnia Aplicada (NUGEO), of the Escola de Minas (EM), of the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP) and the VALE S.A. for the support to the development of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Núcleo de Geotecnia, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil

    Flávio Affonso Ferreira Filho & Romero César Gomes

  2. Vale S. A, Rio de Janeiro, MG, Brazil

    Teófilo Aquino Vieira da Costa

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  1. Flávio Affonso Ferreira Filho
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  2. Romero César Gomes
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  3. Teófilo Aquino Vieira da Costa
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Correspondence to Flávio Affonso Ferreira Filho.

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The original article contains an error in author name. “Ferreira” was listed twice during processing.

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Ferreira Filho, F.A., Gomes, R.C. & da Costa, T.A.V. GAMAH-R: a new mining rock slope classification system. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 7287–7308 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02330-2

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