Stress–strain and stability assessment of deep open pit slopes under the action of tectonic stresses

The subject of study is rock mass at the Kurzhunkul deposit in the conditions of mining advance to deeper levels (down to -290 m). This article describes an integrated approach combining the in-situ and analytical methods of taking into account tectonic stresses. The actual stress tensor is determined using the borehole slotting with the help of the Goodman jack, with recording of acoustic emission (Kaiser effect). The slope stability assessment involved the comparative analysis of two approaches: the limit equilibrium method (in Rocscience Slide) and the finite element-based modeling (in MIDAS GTS NX). The full-scale measurements reveal a considerable tectonic-related component in the stress field: the horizontal stresses exceed the estimated gravitational stresses by 2 times. It is found that the most vulnerable site is the northeastern slope of the test open pit, where the tectonic forces together with the mining-induced impact initiate deformations in adjacent rock mass of the pitwall. Numerical modeling identified concentration zones of the maximal shear stress τmax, which activated spalling at deep levels. The calculations show that the classical methods of limit equilibrium may underestimate risks at deep levels. The numerical modeling confirms deformations at the level of –290 m, which requires updating of the project designs and introduction of active monitoring in weakened zones of the northeastern pitwall. The research findings are the framework for the safety provisions for mining operations at the project depth of 490 m in the Kurzhunkul open pit mine.

Abdykarimova G. B., Shamganova L. S., Toksarov V. N., Berdinova N. O., Khairullaev A. M. Stress–strain and stability assessment of deep open pit slopes under the action of tectonic stresses. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2026;(8):18-30. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_8_0_18.

The study was supported by the Zhas Galym Grunt Financing Program, Project No. AP22688305: Scientific–Methodological Framework for Integrated Rock Mass Stress–Strain Monitoring at the Kachary Open Pit. 

G.B. Abdykarimova¹, Senior Researcher, e-mail: abdykarimovagulnur@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0767-7538,
L.S. Shamganova¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Academician of the Public Association «National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan», Head of Laboratory, e-mail: l.shamganova@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5903-5118,
V.N. Toksarov, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, Senior Researcher, Mining Institute, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia, e-mail: toksarov67@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0006-105X,
N.O. Berdinova¹, Leading Researcher, e-mail: bno0204@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8752-9406,
A.M. Khairullaev, Chief Researcher, Satbayev University (Kazakh National Research Technical University named after K.I. Satpayev), Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, e-mail: alikhan.khairullayev@outlook.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9521-1780,
¹ D.A. Kunaev Institute of Mining, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.

A.M. Khairullaev, e-mail: alikhan.khairullayev@outlook.com.

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