Engineering Geology in Colorado: Contributions, Trends, and Case Histories
Authors: J. Cremeens (AAI)
Moment-driven, regressive slope deformation has been observed in many large open pits. The Homestake Pitch Mine provides another example of this type of pit slope stability. The North Pit of the Pitch Mine was developed in a geologic setting that led to moment-driven slope instability. Moment-driven slope movement is typically regressive and often manageable during mining operations. However, pit excavation, coupled with extreme climatic conditions, led to large-scale, rapid slope failures that eventually terminated mining in the North Pit. The Pitch site is currently in reclamation. The North Pit slopes are in a regressive state and displacement velocities continue to decline.
Downloadable PDF: Geologic Controls on Complex Slope
