An investigation on the effect of engineering geological factors on stability of slopes at the Sungun Copper mine

The on-site observations and monitoring data showed that large-scale failures occurred mainly along both the interconnected sliding surfaces, consisting of discontinuities, contact zone, and the circular surfaces through the weathered soil-like pyroclasts at the sungun copper mine. Surface water infiltration through the unconsolidated materials contributed to the circular-shaped failures. After a heavy rainy period, an increase in the groundwater table above the contact zone played a major role in the initiation of bi-planar wedge failures. In this study, the main reasons causing instabilities in benches of sungun copper mine have been investigated. For this purpose, the results obtained using monitoring program during a time of 5 years were evaluated and totally 60 slides were identified and investigated. Slide map of pit showed that the instability of slopes has been recorded in south and south west sector of pit. The correlation between slide distribution throughout the pit and parameters such as faults, alteration, geology, hydrology and hydrogeology showed that the most susceptible geology units to instability identified as dikes with phylic type alteration, and water saturated pyroclasts.