Investigation of instability of rock slopes based on Geomechanical parameters in Jajarm alumina mine region

Jajarm alumina mine is located in the north of Kavir in southern structural zone of Kopeh-Dagh area and Eastern section of Albourz Mountain. Because of structural setting, distinct structural’s features and major discontinuities were formed. One of the most important structural features is the Kuh-e-Zoo anticline. The axial plane of the anticline, in most part, is trending east-west. The most important formations that crops out in the area are: Mobarak (Carboniferous), Elikah (Triassic), and Shemshak (Jurassic). The topography of the region is trending northeast-southwest that is coinciding with Eastern Alborz structural setting. In order to study the instability of the mine area, data regarding the discontinuities of the layers were collected. Regarding to rock mass classification, three common classifications such as RMR, Q and GSI has been used. Base on GSI classification, the geomechanical characterizations of rock mass are determined. Finally, based on this analysis, the main agent for instability of the region is evaluated.