Home / Capability Statements / Open Pit Mines and Slope Stability

 

Open Pit Mines and Slope Stability

Expertise and Experience in Slope Stability

Our work in open pit mining is headed by Mr Tim Sullivan. Other key personnel involved in open pit mining and slope stability are Mr Garry Mostyn, Mr Mark Eggers, and Messrs Alex Duran and Robert Bertuzzi. This team has worked on over 100 mining projects in all phases from feasibility to ongoing mining.

Some of the major projects undertaken by PSM include the following.

2010
Area C, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model for tertiary detrital.
Cape Lambert, WA	Feasibility geotechnical study, including drilling supervision.
Cloncurry Copper, Qld	Slope stability analysis.
Ensham Resources, Emerald, QLD	Ongoing review of operations.
Handlebar Hill, Mt Isa, QLD	Geotechnical model.
Kerry Mining, Mongolia	Feasibility study for open pit gold mine.
Lihir Gold, Lihir Island Papua New Guinea	Geotechnical model, pit slope design, site secondment.
Marandoo, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, feasibility pit slope design includes mapping.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Muja, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Packsaddle 3, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, feasibility pit slope design includes mapping.
Reefton, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations
Sarum, QLD	Pre-feasibility studies for open pit coal mine.
Vickery South, Gunnedah, NSW	Geotechnical investigations for open pit coal mine.
Wandoan, QLD	Feasibility geotechnical studies for open pit coal mine.
Weld Range Project, WA	Peer review of pit slope designs.
Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Yandi, WA	Geotechnical studies of mining above cavity voids; industrial facilities Yandi landfill investigation.
Zambeze Coal Project, Mozambique	Concept studies for open pit coal mine.
2009
A Deposit, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis, pit slope design.
Benga Coal Project,	Feasibility studies for open pit coal mine, hydrogeological
Mozambique	review, groundwater investigation for 400 man camp.
Broula King, Cowra, NSW	Review of geotechnical model.
Cloudbreak mine, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical assessment.
Crinum, Emerald, QLD	Geotechnical model and stability analysis of high wall.
Ensham Resources, Emerald, QLD	Review of underground coal mining project.
Freida River, Papua New Guinea	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis, pit slope design.
Hidden Valley Mine, Papua New Guinea	Model, analysis and design of Haul Road.
Higginsville Mine, WA	Review of slope stability.
Iron Valley Project, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope analysis and pit design.
Liddell Coal, Singleton, NSW	Risk audit for open cut coal mine.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Mt Whaleback, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical review open pit iron ore mine.
Muja, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operating open pit coal mine.
Newlands Coal, QLD	Geotechnical review of operating open pit coal mine.
Northparkes Mines, Parkes, NSW	Ongoing geotechnical review and operations.
Oaklands North, NSW	Geotechnical studies for open pit coal mine.
Packsaddle 3, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
Prodeco, La Calenturitas Columbia	Review of river diversion.
Prominent Hill, SA	Pre-feasibility studies for open pit mining.
Reefton, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations
Rolleston Coal, QLD	Ongoing operational geotechnical advice for open pit coal mine.
Tampakan, Philippines	Feasibility studies for open pit mine and underground drainage audit and galleries.
Ulan Coal, NSW	Design of capping for Tailings Dam.
Wandoan, QLD	Feasibility geotechnical studies for open pit coal mine.
Xstrata Coal, Singleton	Review of Xstrata Underground support procedure.
Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Yandi, WA	Geotechnical studies of mining above cavity voids; industrial facilities Yandi landfill investigation.
Zambeze Coal Project, Mozambique	Concept studies for open pit coal mine.
2008
Argyle Diamonds, Kimberleys WA	Review of Hydrology and Pumping for Underground Mine Risk
Benga Coal Project, Mozambique	Feasibility studies for open pit coal mine.
Cloncurry Copper, Qld	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
Croker Well, SA	Feasibility studies.
Donaldson Coal, NSW	Ongoing geotechnical advice for open pit coal mine.
Ensham Resources, Emerald, QLD	Recovery of flooded open pit coal mine.
Golden West Resources, WA	Review of pre-feasibility design.
Hidden Valley Mine, Papua New Guinea	Review of waste dump design.
Lady Annie Mine, Mt Isa, QLD	Geotechnical review of open pit and suitability of materials beneath stacker.
Liddell Coal, Singleton, NSW	Antienne South Tailings Capping.
Lihir Gold, Lihir Island Papua New Guinea	Geotechnical model, pit slope design, site secondment.
Macarthur Coal, QLD	Due diligence.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Marandoo, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
McFarlane Deposit, QLD	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
Muja, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Newlands Coal, QLD	Design of tailings dam.
North Deposit, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
Olympic Dam Expansion, SA	Surface infrastructure investigation. Numerical modelling of a block north uphole open stoping.
Prodeco, La Calenturitas Colombia	Due diligence coal mine.
Reefton, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Expansion Proj, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
Solid Energy , Huntly New Zealand	Review of open pit coal mining operations.
Solwara 1 Project, Bismark Sea Papua New Guinea	Review of geotechnical conditions for ocean floor mining.
Surprise Pit, WA	Stability analysis for east wall.
Tampakan, Philippines	Concept studies for open pit mine.
Ulaan Ovoot, Mongolia	Pre-feasibility study opencut coal mining project.
Ulan Coal, NSW	Geotechnical review of shaft.
Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
2007
Ban Phuc Nickel Mines, Vietnam	Raise bore assessment, Ban Phuc Nickel Mine.
Ensham Resources, Emerald, QLD.	Review of high wall mining Nogoa Anabranch Ensham.
Freida River, Papua New Guinea	Scoping study.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Marandoo, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis, pit slope design for below water table.
Martha Pit, New Zealand	Consent Strategy for Proposed East and West Pit Wall Cutbacks.
McFarlane Deposit, QLD	Feasibility Geotechnical Studies.
Mineral Hill, Condobolin, NSW	Pre-feasibility studies.
Muja, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations; mine Haul Road design.
Newlands Coal, QLD	Planning of future tailings disposal; Newlands coal mine highwall failure.
Palmarejo, Mexico	Review of pit slope designs.
Peculiar Knob, Coober Pedy, SA	Feasibility studies.
Reefton, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations
Rolleston Coal, QLD	Review of mine collapse.
Tampakan, Philippines	Concept studies for open pit mine.
Western Turner Syncline, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical model and slope stability analysis.
Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
2006
Batu Hijau, Sumbawa Indonesia	Underground drainage feasibility study; Material property testing. Katala pond stability. Risk of undercutting study. 2006 structural study.
Brockman, Pilbara, WA	Brockman 4 - Phase II.
Chuquicamata Mine, Chile	Review of underground crusher station collapse.
Copper Hill, Molong	Concept studies.
Donaldson Coal, NSW	Haul road grade separation, New sediment dam.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Mt Isa Mines, QLD	K76 return air raise.
Mt Owen, NSW.	Advice - Mount Owen Rail Line Management Plan.
Muja, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Northparkes Mines, Parkes, NSW	Ongoing geotechnical review and operations.
Olympic Dam Expansion, SA	Geotechnical studies for open pit mining of Olympic Dam Expansion project.
Pajingo, QLD	Slope design.
Pilbara Iron Pty Ltd, Pilbara, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Reefton, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations
Stuart Oil Shale Mine, QLD	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis and pit slope design.
Tahmoor Colliery, NSW	Mining near Bargo River gorge.
The Super Pit, Kalgoorlie, WA	Geotechnical review.
Waihi, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations, underground feasibility study.
Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
2001-2005
Baal Bone Colliery, Lithgow, NSW	Encapsulation of Tailings Dam.
Batu Hijau, Sumbawa Indonesia	Geotechnical Audit and Review.
Beltana, Qld	Beltana MG4 Highwall Support.
Bengalon Coal Project, Indonesia	Review of Bengalon coal project.
Black Star, Mt Isa, QLD	Review of open cut.
Brockman, Pilbara, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Cadia, Orange, NSW	Cadia Quarry, Tailings Disposal Trials, Geological Model.
Calga Sands Quarry, Sydney	Stability of quarry walls.
Century Mine, Qld	Geotechnical review, short course - pit design and stability.
Channar / Eastern Ranges, Pilbara, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Donaldson Coal, NSW	Geotechnical review of blasting effects, Viability of pen pit backfilling for industrial use, Review of dirty water storage dam, Siltation dam advice.
Ensham Resources, Emerald, QLD	Ongoing review of operations.
Fimiston Pit, Kalgoorlie, WA	Numerical Analysis of KCGM Fimiston Pit.
Geita Gold, Tanzania Africa	Probabilistic Analysis of Slope Stability - Nyankanga Pit.
Glennies Creek, NSW	Water management at Glennies creek coal mine, dam in Camberwell colliery, pillar stability.
Goonyella Riverside Mine, Qld	Geotechnical review.
Grasberg, Irian Jaya Indonesia	Training for Pit Slope Management and Design.
Isa Open Pit, Mt Isa, QLD	Geotechnical Review Isa Open Pit.
Jinfeng Project, Guizhou China	Independent desktop review.
Kaltim Prima Coal, Kalimantan Indonesia	Design of Porodisa pit pond.
Kelian Gold Mine, Kalimantan Indonesia	Landform design for closure, assessment of west Prampus landslide and stability of 1280 waste dump.
Lihir Gold Mine, Lihir Island Papua NewGuinea	Geotechnical Study.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Mandalong Colliery, NSW	Design of support for Mandalong colliery.
Marandoo, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Marulan Limestone Quarry, NSW	Geotechnical Review of Marulan Limestone Quarry.
Maxwell Quarries, Port Macquarie, NSW	Slip Investigation.
McArthur River Mine, Mt Isa, QLD	Geotechnical Review McArthur River Mine.
Mt Whaleback, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical review of south wall.
Muja pit, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations dump studies.
Nammuldi, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical investigation program.
Northparkes Mines, Parkes, NSW	Ongoing review of operations.
Osborne Mine, QLD	Geotechnical Study - Kulthor Mine.
Palmarejo Gold-Silver Project, Chihuahua Mexico	Review of gold-silver project.
Paraburdoo 4 West, Pilbara, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Penjom Gold Mine, Malaysia	Geotechnical Review - Penjom Gold mine.
Pioneer Construct Mat Pty Ltd, Sydney	Failure of Northwall Quarry.
Porgera, Papua New Guinea	Numerical Analysis.
Prominent Hill, SA	Pre-feasibility mining study.
PT Petrosea TBK, Kalimantan Indonesia	Namuk dam upgrading, assistance with tender preparation.
Reefton, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
Rio Technical Services	Haul Road Study.
Robe River Mining, Pilbara, WA	Feasibility Investigations for Deposit E. Bungaroo Deposit. Mesa G Pre-feasibility Study.
Stratford Coal, Gloucester, NSW.	Road Specification.
Stuart Oil Shale Mine, QLD	Stuart Stage 1 Geotechnical Review.
Tarmoola, WA	Geotechnical Review – Tarmoola.
Telfer, WA	Geotechnical Audit and Review Telfer.
Tom Price, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Wambo Mining, NSW	Design and construction supervision of rail tunnel beneath Golden Highway.
Weipa, QLD	Weipa Bauxite Mine Review.
West Angelas, Pilbara, WA	West Angelas Open Pit Geotechnical Program.
Yarrie Mine, WA	Geotechnical Review of Yarrie Mine.
1993-2000
AUS10 Rhyolite, Hartley, NSW	Geotechnical Advice for Quarry development -Hartley NSW.
Bald Hill Quarry, Yass, NSW	Quarrying a volcanic pipe, basalt & granite.
Bannockburn, WA	Advice on East Wall Stability/Bannockburn Mine Underground Rock Mechanics Bannockburn.
Big Howley - Cosmo Howley, NT	Instability at Big Howley - Cosmo Howley.
Blackwater Creek Coal Mine, Qld	Design of Levee Bank, Dragline Rd and Light Road for Blackwater Creek.
Brockman, Pilbara, WA	Brockman Detritals Advice on Stability. Geotechnical Advice - Brockman Mine.
Brock's Creek Gold Mine, NT	Pit Slope Failure - Brock's Creek Gold Mine.
Cadia, Orange, NSW	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design, Review of operations.
Cannington, Qld	Supervision during construction of decline.
Carpentaria Gold, Ravenswood, Qld	Geotechnical Investigation.
Coeur Gold, New Zealand	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design, Review of operations.
Cosmo Howley Mine, NT	Geotechnical advice.
Cumnock, Ravensworth, NSW	Advice on highwall stability.
Darlot Mine, WA	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Delta Gold, WA	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Ernest Henry, Cloncurry, QLD	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Ewington Pit, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Far Fanning, Qld	Far Fanning Project Assessment.
Gosowong Gold Mine, Halmerhera Indonesia	Gosowong Open Pit Geotechnical Review.
Gossan Hill, Eagle Farm, Qld	Geotechnical review.
Granny Smith, WA	Feasibility study for underground.
Grasberg, Irian Jaya Indonesia	Water Archive dam.
Hidden Valley, Papua New Guinea	Hidden Valley - Geotechnical Study for Mining Development Proposal.
Honeymoon Well, WA	Geotechnical Advice - Honeymoon Well.
Jubilee Mine, Boulder, W.A	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Kable Sand Quarry, Lithgow, NSW	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Kaltim Prima Coal, Kalimantan Indonesia	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Kanowna Belle Gold Mine, WA	Review east wall failure.
Kaolin Mining & Develop., Oaklands, NSW	Geotechnical review.
Kelian Gold Mine, Kalimantan Indonesia	River diversion, Acid leachate control, design of dam, Ongoing geotechnical advice, Design and construction of the Nakan Dam, review of Namuk Dam.
Kidston Gold Mines, QLD	Review of operations, Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design.
Labouchere, WA	Slope design.
Lynas Find Gold Project, WA	Review.
Macraes, Otago New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations.
McKinnons pit, QLD	Geotechnical review.
Mt Arthur North, NSW	Mt Arthur North Studies.
Mt Edon Gold Mines, WA	Options for geotechnical programme.
Mt Keith, WA	Geotechnical advice.
Mt Todd, Katherine	Geotechnical advice.
Mt. Leyshon, QLD	Geotechnical model, Slope stability analysis, Pit slope design, Review of operations.
Mt. Morgans, WA	Mt. Morgans Operations.
Mt. Rosebery, Mt Isa, QLD	Mt. Rosebery.
Muja, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Murrin Murrin Nickel Cobalt Project, WA	Dispute Murrin Murrin Nickel Cobalt Project.
Nammuldi, Pilbara, WA	Geotechnical study.
Ok Tedi, Papua New Guinea	Ok Tedi tailings dam, expert advice, pit dewatering.
Otter Gold, Tanami Desert, NT	Geotechnical Studies for Open Pit Mining.
Paraburdoo, Pilbara, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Penjom Gold Mine, Kuala Lipis Panang	Geotechnical review.
Phosphate Hill, QLD	Geotechnical investigation.
Pilbara Iron, Pilbara, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Porgera, Papua New Guinea	Provision of review services, stage 3 and 4 geotechnical study, review of drainage audit portal.
Ranger - ERM, Kakadu, NT	Geotechnical Review.
Reefton, New Zealand	Feasibility studies.
Savage River, Brunei, Tas	Savage River Diversion Tunnel Design.
Silver Standard Australia,	Engineering Geology of Proposed Tailings Archive Area – Mudgee.
South Blackwater Coal Mine, QLD	South Blackwater Coal Mine.
Springvale Coal, Lithgow, NSW	Building dams.
Stratford Coal, Gloucester, NSW	Site investigation and dam design.
Stuart Oil Shale Mine, QLD	Geotechnical investigation and water management.
Sunrise Dam, WA	Geotechnical audit.
Tahmoor Colliery, NSW	Tahmoor Colliery No. 3 shaft, expert witness.
Tallawang Magnetite Mine, Tallawang, NSW	Ongoing review of operations.
Tarmoola, Leonora, WA	Geotechnical Logging.
Thalanga Copper Mines, QLD	Review of Slope Failure at Highway Reward.
The Granites, Alice Springs	The Granites - Geotechnical Assessment.
Tom Price, WA	Ongoing review of operations.
Ulan Coal, NSW	Review of spoil pile stability, boxcut stability, Ulan decline.
Union Reefs, NT	Geotechnical advice, review of operations.
Vera, Charters Towers, QLD	Geotechnical Studies - Vera Project.
Wafi, Papua New Guinea	Geotechnical model, slope stability analysis, pit slope design.
Waihi, New Zealand	Ongoing review of operations, underground study Waihi, review of settlement.
Wall Grove Quarry, NSW	Wall Grove Quarry, Eastern Creek.
Weipa, QLD	Conveyor slot failure, tailings dam audit.
Wesfarmers Premier Coal, Collie, WA	Ongoing review of operations.

 

Project Sites

Current Projects

Brisbane Airport Link

Brisbane’s $4.8 billion Airport Link, Northern Busway (Windsor... READ MORE

Kapit Pit Geotechnical Investigation

PSM is involved with Lihir Gold’s Kapit Pit, providing geotechnical... READ MORE