Kentobe Pitwall Stability Estimation Using a Digital Geological-Geomechanical Model

The implementation stages of ground laser scanning of an open pit field and the obtained data processing in Maptek I-Site Studio are discussed as a case-study of Kentobe open pit mine of iron ore. The procedure of a digital geological-geomechanical model is described; the framework is a set of spatial points obtained from the laser scanning. The model enables a detailed study of geological structure of the pitwall rock mass, with regard to the structure and tectonics, as well as the physical and mechanical properties of rocks. Using the developed model, the authors estimated the pitwall stability and substantiated safe slope parameters for deeper mining.