A highwall in mining is the face of exposed overburden and coal in a surface mine, and its stability is crucial for the safety of miners and equipment(Toolbox Talk – Highwall Safety, n.d.). Highwall safety is a critical aspect of open-pit mining operations.
Some best practices for high wall safety include:
- Proper mine planning and design involve the conduction of geological and geotechnical investigations to understand the site’s unique conditions. In addition, it joints the establishment of appropriate bench heights, widths, and slopes to maintain highwall stability.
- Regular monitoring and inspection imply the Implementation of a rigorous inspection routine to identify signs of highwall instability or deterioration. Mores so, the use of advanced monitoring technologies, such as LiDAR and ground-based radar systems, to detect potential failure points and monitor highwall movement are good safety practices(Toolbox Talk – Highwall Safety, n.d.).
- Never park equipment, perform maintenance or store materials beneath highwalls since, an unexpected block can fall or a sudden deluge of rocks or tailing material.
- Use diversion ditches or slope the ground so that surface runoff drains away from highwalls(Highwall – Safety Alert, n.d.).
- Remove trees, vegetation, and unconsolidated material a safe distance from the top edge of highwalls.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you picture a highwall in a mine? Is it the sheer scale, the potential danger, or something else? Let’s hear your initial thoughts!
