Monitoring Hazardous Open Pit Mine Slope

We performed geophysical measurements, mainly in the monitoring mode, to control landslide hazard in deep open pit mines. We introduced high resolution tilt measurements inside an exploration gallery. Tilt data indicated high risk periods of low slope stability that were caused mainly by mine blasts or hydrological processes, including flood period. Tilt data were supported by hydrological observations in nearby wells, inclinometry in wells, precise leveling, direct deformation measurements and geodetic scanning of the mine edge. An example of a major landslide on the mine slope is given with tilt data of precursory character. Significant changes of tilt vector trend and tilt velocity preceded and followed the landslide. Tilt observations proved the ability to monitor slope stability.