Zonation of Rock-Slope Failure Potential of Sungun Copper Mine Based on SMR and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Sungun copper mine is located in the East Azerbaijan province, 45 km north of Varzaqan County. In this research, in order to zonation of potentially unstable areas, slope mass rating (SMR), kinematical analysis and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methods by using of Dips 6.0, Expert Choice and ArcGIS softwares were accomplished. In the study by using Analytical Hierarchy Process method, the effective general criterias on the failure of rock slopes and extraction benches including structural geology, geomechanics, groundwater condition of joints, morphology and degree of alteration were selected and ranked by forming a pairwise comparison matrix. Then the sub-criterias and alternatives are wheighted by using of overall row wheight method on the basis of their importance. Finally, by integration of obtained data layers in the ArcGIS system, the studied mine area was zoned in low, medium and higth category in terms of failure potentially. According to the results, the western, southern, southeast and scattered parts of the north area of the studied mine specially in mining benchs are more likely to rock slope failurs, which is in good agreement with field observations. The results showed that there is a fairly good agreement between the results of the methods used in this research. But due to the fact that in the hierarchical analysis method, other criteria involved in the failure are considered, and the result is more reliable.