Problems in Designing Stable Open-Pit Mine Slopes

The general significance and possible effects of the ~ttit ud e of rock joints and faults, groundwater, overblastmg, and the geometry and character of stresses created by previous mining, gravity or tectonic forces on the steepness and stability of open-pit mine slopes are dis- cussed in this paper. lnf?rmation derived from slope stability r esearch studies now m progress reveals that failures of rock slopes are ~ore ?f~en due to an adverse attitude and s pacing of bedd11:1g, )omt or fault planes than to g ravitationally-induced failures.