Objectives:
This project aims to develop industry guidelines for the geotechnical assessment and protection of environmentally and culturally sensitive structures located near large open-pit (LOP) mining operations. The guidelines will provide standardized, practical guidance for geotechnical and mining professionals to manage risks associated with mining activities that may impact these sensitive sites.
Mining operations increasingly encounter sites of environmental or cultural significance that may be affected by nearby excavation. Mining-induced changes can threaten the structural integrity of these sites, yet there is limited guidance on consistent assessment and protection methods. Existing practices vary widely across companies, creating uncertainty for stakeholders. This project addresses the need for an industry-wide, standardized methodology to ensure safe and effective management of sensitive sites.
The project aims to leverage the expertise of LOP sponsor representatives to develop comprehensive, best-practice guidelines. It will fill an industry gap, promote stakeholder confidence, and demonstrate collaborative leadership in environmental and social impact management. The guidelines will be applicable across diverse mining contexts, enhancing industry exposure and knowledge sharing.
The project will produce guidance to assist professionals in assessing, recording, and communicating pre-mining risks, predicting future performance and risks based on planned mining activities, and developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies. Key deliverables include the definition of threat factors, impact criteria, and influencing factors such as rock mass, mining method, and site geometry; geotechnical classification for baseline and future susceptibility; monitoring requirements and recommended methods; risk management processes including critical controls and adoption of new technologies; and case studies from Pilbara, Brazil, and other relevant sites.
The scope includes rock shelters, caves, cairns, natural rock formations, watercourses, and earthen structures. Rigid structures and large water storages are out of scope but will be reviewed in the literature to inform the guidelines. The project will deliver robust, standardized guidelines to support safe, consistent geotechnical management of environmentally and culturally sensitive sites near open-pit mines.