Being able to describe the rock mass accurately and in a statistical fashion gives us a tremendous advantage when it comes to designing rock slopes. For example, we can:

• statistically describe bench failure modes;
• incorporating strengths and rock fabric, accurately determine bench face angles;
• determine safe, effective catch bench widths and appropriate profiles;
• determine, statistically, interramp and overall slope stability;
• provide recommendations, install, and monitor slope deformation instrumentation

We can also evaluate, or provide the operator with means of evaluating present rock slope performance.

See how innovative techniques improved bench face angles, and maintain steep interramp angles, at BHPBilliton's Ekati mine site.

For those of you with a thirst for technical knowledge, try our bench stability course. This provides practical and theoretical know-how on how to analyze and maintain catch benches on rock slopes.