Keeping pit walls stable during wet seasons

[Alan]

You’re looking at those waterlogged pit walls after a big rain, and you can’t help but wonder what techniques really keep them from giving way. Let’s talk about some effective methods, useful tips, and lessons learned to keep those walls stable and operations safe when the weather gets messy.

 

[rockbreaker7]

Last spring, I noticed a pit wall slowly giving way after a storm. To tackle it I used angled timber shoring along with quick-drain trenches around the perimeter. Checking in on it every hour helped avoid a potential collapse.

 

[Trollminer]

I’ll never forget standing in front of that soggy pit wall, my boots sinking into the mud, thinking it won’t hold. We piled on sandbags and set up angled bracing, keeping a close watch on the rainfall. Watching how the water moved was crucial.

 

[rockdrillpro]

During a heavy downpour last year I noticed the walls beginning to slump. A mix of steel sheet piling and careful backfilling kept everything stable. I learned that wet ground doesn’t forgive easily, so having proactive reinforcement and proper drainage is what keeps a site safe instead of risking disaster

 

[Goldshark]

You’re looking at those waterlogged pit walls after a big rain, and you can’t help but wonder what techniques really keep them from giving way. Let’s talk about some effective methods, useful tips, and lessons learned to keep those walls stable and operations safe when the weather gets messy.

Lots of ways to skin the proverbial cat. Without knowing the geotechnical/mineralogical data of the wall, it is impossible to engineer a solution. But common sense (not really very common ), will say slope profile, material consistency, past slope performance in similar rain falls/ moisture content, will dictate how the slope will respond, and what a safe working margin is relative to the height of the wall.
If trying to mine to the very limits of the property, a soil nailing or piling program will need to be emplaced. Drainage away from area, maybe including reinforced HDPE moisture barrier, skim coat shotcreting, Bentonite clay liner, or a multitude of other options could also be used. The best practice is the 5 P's, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance ( sometimes Piss Poor is added to make it the 6 P's ), Murphy's laws are always in affect, and the list goes on. In the event there is no prior planning, stay away and stay safe. Call MSHA if the boss is a prick.