Geotechnical evaluation of a waste rock dump from a limestone mine in south Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents the geotechnical study and stability assessment of a Mining Waste Rock Dump (WRD) from a Limestone Mine in the city of Dom Feliciano/Rio Grande do Sul (RS), south of Brazil. A literature review is used to provide considerations on the geotechnical properties of materials and geometries adopted. These parameters were the basis for the stability evaluation performed on realistic profiles of the WRD and on a proposed expansion. The conclusions regarding stability are confirmed and supported by a quantitative Waste Dump classification methodology. The results obtained demonstrate the viability of adopting an optimized geometry, with a height of 25 meters for the first level and 15 meters for the second level. It is concluded that the methodology and sequence of steps adopted in the evaluation can be replicated for other WRDs and even serve as an indication for similar structures.