Editorial Feature

What is Geotechnical Engineering and Testing?

Geotechnical engineering focuses on the composition and behavior of earth materials, with engineers qualified to understand their characteristics, such as soil and rock mechanics.

geotechnical engineering in mining

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In the mining industry, engineers investigate, design, and monitor underground and open-pit mines. They also focus on waste dumps and tailings storage facilities.

Geotechnical engineering helps to ensure safe and effective mining operations through multidisciplinary teamwork that includes hydrogeologists and mining engineers.

Purpose of Geotechnical Testing in Mining

Understanding the surface and subsurface conditions at the mine site is critical to designing, maintaining, and investigating mining operations. Geotechnical testing investigates these conditions through site characterization techniques, laboratory testing, and professional analysis.

Slope stability analysis is a common form of geotechnical testing in mining operations. Understanding slope stability is critical because it directly relates to the efficiency of mining operations and the safety of workers. It typically involves collecting samples from the mine slope and performing tests to determine their mechanical qualities. These tests typically include direct shear, Brazilian splitting, and uniaxial compressive strength tests.

Another common type of geotechnical testing in mining is subsurface analysis. Based on physical, electrical, or chemical testing, subsurface features can be identified, mapped, and characterized. These investigations are critical to guiding and monitoring mineral extraction operations.

Mining-Specific Geotechnical Testing Methods

Geotechnical engineers use several mining-specific testing methods. Two key methods are Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and core drilling.

RMR is a method used to evaluate the mechanical qualities of rock masses. This method incorporates five key measurements to produce a value between 0 and 100. These measurements include:

  • Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS): Calculated based on the strength of a rock mass withstanding uniaxial compression, the higher a UCS value is, the more stress-tolerant a rock mass is.
  • Rock Quality Designation (RQD): RQD is calculated based on the percentage of core recovery that is longer than a specified length, with higher percentages representing better rock quality.
  • Joint Spacing (J): Calculated by determining the spacing between significant discontinuities within the rock mass.
  • Joint Condition (Jn): This measures the surface conditions of discontinuities inside the rock mass based on factors like weathering in the presence of infilling materials.
  • Groundwater Conditions (GSI): This is a rating of the effects of groundwater on rock mass stability and behavior.

Core drilling involves extracting a long, continuous shaft of rock that enters the drill barrel just above the bit as it cuts into the rock below it. Recovering a core provides all kinds of information about subsurface rock because it extracts samples along the length of the core.

Applications of Geotechnical Engineering in Mining Operations

Geotechnical engineering is critical to many aspects of mining operations, including the design of mining and environmental management operations.

For underground mines, geotechnical engineers begin with a comprehensive site characterization. They work with geologists to analyze the geological composition of a site, including the types of rocks, soil, fault lines, and structural integrity. Geotechnical engineers also test how rocks at the site will react under stress. Understanding how rocks will crack and deform when they interact with mining machinery is critical for designing underground mining shafts and tunnels, ensuring the safety of miners and efficient operations.

Geotechnical engineers will primarily focus on analyzing slope stability for open-pit mines. Engineers can predict and prevent slope collapses using complex testing and monitoring techniques. They can also devise proactive measures, such as a rock bolt system, to protect mine workers.

Geotechnical engineers also manage mining waste. They help develop engineering solutions such as tailings, dams, and impoundments. When correctly designed and constructed, these structures ensure that mining wastes are safely contained until they can be properly sequestered.

Challenges and Innovations in Geotechnical Mining Applications

Geotechnical engineers constantly face challenges that are both specific and general in nature. Specific challenges involve each mining site's uniqueness, including varying geological conditions. Mining is also dangerous work, and engineers are under constant pressure to ensure that catastrophic accidents do not injure workers or cause fatalities.

Geotechnical engineering is increasingly concerned with minimizing the environmental impacts of mining. In addition to facing public pressure for responsible mining, the industry is heavily regulated, and engineers must ensure that their operations comply with all regulations.

The latest solutions involve advanced remote sensing technologies like satellite imagery and the ability to quickly analyze massive amounts of data using advanced analytics. Geotechnical engineers also embrace the latest machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies in areas such as predicting proper behavior and developing ground improvement techniques.

Conclusion

Geotechnical engineering and testing play vital roles in ensuring the safety and efficiency of mining operations and minimizing their environmental impact. Geotechnical engineers use various testing techniques to analyze various aspects of a mining operation, including subsurface rock composition, the slope stability of open pit mines, and methods for containing mining wastes.

Geotechnical engineers are constantly challenged by the uniqueness of mining sites and the pressure to minimize environmental impacts. The field constantly evolves as innovations leverage the latest technologies.

References and Further Reading

Afrapoli, A., Osanloo, M. (2014 January). Determination and stability analysis of ultimate open-pit slope under geomechanical uncertainty. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology Vol. 24, No.1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2095268613002243

Priyadarshi, H. et al. (2023). Rock Solid Solutions: Geotechnical Aspects of Mining Engineering. Tuijin Jishu/Journal of Propulsion Technology Vol. 44 No. 3. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/18/8449

Structural Community. Subsurface Investigation – Boring and Sampling Methods. Retrieved 2024, November 6. https://structural.community/articles/foundation/subsurface-investigation-boring-and-sampling/

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Brett Smith

Written by

Brett Smith

Brett Smith is an American freelance writer with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Buffalo State College and has 8 years of experience working in a professional laboratory.

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