Slope stability analysis of Gol-E-Gohar Iron Mine of Iran by using numerical methods
Article type :
3rd Iranian rock mechanics conference
The Gol-E-Gohar (GEG) Iron ore Complex is located in Kermanprovince of Iran, and is situated on the Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic belt, which has been played a large part in the history of the tectonics of Iran plate margin. This complex lies at a point approximately equidistant from the cities of Bandar Abbas, Shiraz and Kerman, each of these points being approximately 280 km away. Based on the modern exploration activities, six magnetic anomalies in this district have been recognized. At first stage, most detailed exploration has been focused on the so-called Anomaly 1. Now a large-scale open-pit mine is being developed on this deposit. The landscape is interrupted by ridges and mesas of folded and uplifted metamorphic rocks of Paleozoic and Mesozoic ages. This paper aims to re-evaluate the pre-designed slope angles of Anomaly 1 of GEG Open pit. In order to update the geological model of open pit and for determination of geological and mechanical properties of rock mass, geotechnical mapping was performed. After obtaining the updated vertical and horizontal planes of open pit, the stability of slopes was investigated using numerical methods (FLAC Code). Results showed that depending on the rock type, the safe slope angles in GEG pit are between 32 to 60 degrees. Also numerical analysis indicates that slope drainage can lead to increasing the slope angles from 22 to 38 degrees in some parts of pit. This eliminates the stripping of about 50 million tones of overburden and waste.