Geotechnical Hazard Awareness 2: Training for Mine Supervisors

Geotechnical Hazard Awareness Training Videos developed by UNSW, ACARP and Mark Coombe Productions - great safety initiative Alison McQuillan and Prof. Ismet Canbulat.

Strata failure is a principal hazard in open cut coal mining. Four videos were produced by UNSW Sydney and Mark Coombe Productions to assist with the education of mine operators, mine supervisors and mine planning engineers to provide an overview of: (i) what to look for so the likelihood and impact of slope failure can be reduced; and (ii) describe the function of a geotechnical engineer within the technical services department. These new videos follow on the production of Unearthing Black Gold which was developed by the Australian Centre of Geomechanics in 2004. The new videos were developed to capture the technological advancements over the last 15 years and include a new technical section for mine planning.

Video 2: Geotech Hazard Awareness for Mine Supervisors

Video 2 is an extension of video 1, with new sections added describing Types of Failures and Typical Controls.

Type of failures are described by slope category, i.e. failure in excavated or dumped slope. Types of failures described include planar, wedge, toppling and composite failures in excavated slopes. Active-passive wedge failures in dumped slopes. And circular and isolated rock falls in both excavated and dumped slopes.

Typical controls are then listed to provide guidance on how to effectively manage a geotechnical hazard. Controls are described using the hierarchy system of elimination, engineering, separation and administration.

Slope monitoring techniques are also discussed in detail.

Video 2 also describes typical processes and systems open cut mines have in place to identify and control geotechnical risk. These include descriptions of Standard Work Procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, Principal Hazard Management Plans and Trigger Action Response Plans that outline the minimum actions and responses for normal and elevated risk states relating to geotechnical hazards.

Video 2 is approximately 21 minutes in duration.