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SURFACE (HARDROCK) GROUND CONTROL
1.0PURPOSE
1.1To ensure slope stability, mine design, excavation design, ore dump construction, leach pad design, etc. in order to prevent losses or minimize personal injuries as well as damage to the environment or the property.
2.0SCOPE
2.1This procedure applies to all operating areas, as well as for all employees and contractors, functions and local procedures.
3.0DEFINITIONS
3.1Bench
3.1.1The mine is excavated by cutting horizontal slices to move waste and recover ore. Each slice is called a “bench” and is described by the elevation at which the excavation takes place. The bench face is the rock exposure remaining after excavation is finished.
3.2Catch Bench
3.2.1A bench designed to provide sufficient width to catch loose, fallen rock from the bench or benches above.
3.3Rock fall
3.3.1Any gravity-driven collapse of a small volume of rock.
3.4Slope Failure
3.4.1Any gravity-driven collapse of a significant volume of soil or rock (or both).
4.0RESPONSIBILITY
4.1Employees
4.1.1Persons potentially exposed to the risk of rock slides will be trained annually on surface ground control methods appropriate for their jobs.
4.1.2Shall examine the conditions of the highwall prior to any work in the area and routinely throughout their shift.
4.1.3Inform their supervisor immediately of any adverse conditions regarding ground control.
4.2General Foreman
4.2.1Shall ensure execution of the pit, dump, or leach pad design/mine plan.
4.2.2Directs blasting operations with regard to blast design.
4.2.3Ensures ground control information is communicated to employees potentially impacted.
4.3HSLP
4.3.1Review procedures and perform inspections to ensure compliance with this standard.
4.3.2Perform annual audits to the “Surface Ground Control” procedure.
4.4Manager
4.4.1Develop a management plan for surface ground control.
4.4.2Ensure ongoing monitoring for execution of the management plan for surface ground control against the life-of-mine plan.
4.4.3Ensure that a continuous training program is provided which ensures that employee competency is maintained.
4.4.4Ensure that risk assessments are performed relating to surface ground control elements and include but are not limited to the following:
4.4.5Geotechnical evaluations and monitoring of slope stability according to the site program, giving priority to the operative areas.
4.4.6Selection criteria for mine design, material and equipment.
4.4.7Identification of standard operation procedures required (based on consequences).
4.4.8Training and competence level of employees.
4.4.9Operation planning.
4.4.10Significant changes in operation plans or ground changes.
4.4.11Ground conditions monitoring methods.
4.4.12Emergency Response Plan.
4.5Mine Engineering
4.5.1Pit slope management is the responsibility of the Geotechnical Group within the Mine Engineering Department. Support is required from the Geology Department, Survey Group, Planning Sections, and Mine Operations, each of whom is responsible for their areas. The Geotechnical Group is responsible for the provision of slope design criteria, noting the onset of instabilities, monitoring the development, interpreting the causes and consequences, and communicating the information to all concerned parties. Options are discussed with planning and operations personnel to develop mitigating strategies and maintain a safe work environment.
4.6Supervisors
4.6.1Line managers within the mine are responsible to apply the requirements presented in this document to manage slopes in such a manner as to minimize the risk of serious harm as a result of slope failures.
5.0PROCEDURES/GUIDELINES
5.1General Aspects
5.1.1Surface Ground Control Procedure and SOPs will be written in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
5.2Pit Design/Mine Plans
5.2.1Each pit shall have a pit design/mine plan developed and maintained by Mine Engineering and the Surface Operation Department.
5.3Surface Ground Control Plans
5.3.1Each site shall develop and maintain a surface ground control plan. The plan will address the following key components:
5.3.2Geotechnical design approach
5.3.3Geotechnical data collection
5.3.4Slope monitoring
5.3.5Risk assessment
5.3.6Third party review
5.3.7On-going design and engineering analysis
5.3.8Standard Operating Procedures
5.4FAILURE MANAGEMENT
5.4.1The Geotechnical group working with the operations department shall develop strategies for working areas of the pit when movement in the slopes warrant. The strategies should consider the following:
5.4.2Placing berms to prevent entry into the area when not being worked.
5.4.3Provide design and engineering analysis for remediation measures.
5.4.4Coning areas to mark the area of concern.
5.4.5Use of spotters to monitor ground conditions and warn personnel in the area of any changes.
5.4.6Implementing emergency pull out and area shut down procedures.
5.4.7Increased frequency of survey monitoring.
5.4.8Limiting personnel in an area.
5.4.9Limiting work in specific areas to day light hours or providing additional illumination during night operations.
5.4.10A communication plan for these strategies shall be developed and delivered to the appropriate personnel.
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