slope stability analysis of itakpe iron ore mine, itakpe, nigeria边坡稳定分析itakpe铁矿山,itakpe,尼日利亚.pdf

Engineering, 2011, 3, 602-608 doi:10.4236/eng.2011.36072 Published Online June 20 11 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/eng) Slope Stability Analysis of Itakpe Iron Ore Mine, Itakpe, Nigeria 1* 2 3 Rasheed A. Adebimpe , Jide Muili Akande , Chinwuba Arum 1 Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria 2Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure , Nigeria 3Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure , Nigeria E-mail: rasheed4u1@ Received February 24, 2011; revised April 1, 2011; accepted April 10, 2011 Abstract The slope stability of the Itakpe Iron Ore Mine has been carried out using computer software, ROCKPACK III. One hundred and twenty three dip and dip direction values were obtained using compass clinometer. The Itakpe Iron Ore Mine was divided into four benches; 241 - 258 m, 263 - 275 m, 276 - 286 m and 308 - 312 m. Joints along the discontinuities were mapped. The data obtained were analyzed using ROCKPACK III. The results indicate that the discontinuities within the critical zone are potentially unstable and can lead to planar failure. The Markland test carried out for wedge failure indicates that the intersection of the discontinuities does not fall within the critical zone hence there cannot be any wedge failure of the slope within the level 241 - 258 m. The presence of discontinuities that plot within the toppling critical zone indicates that there is potential toppling failure on the slope at the 276 - 286 m level. In addition, the toppling failure test shows the absence of discont