Role of the computer in managing and applying geotechnical data to surface mine design

In large open cast operations, effective management of considerable volumes of specialized data generated by various earth science disciplines is necessary to ensure optimum pit design and equipment utilization. The development of a computerized geotechnical data base for a coal strip mine is described and the interrelationship between the data base and the geological computer model is discussed, highlighting the advantages as well as shortcomings of the systems approach. Geotechnical input to mine development is outlined including computer models for determining safe pitwall and spoil pile slopes, classifying the mine area into sub-areas of relatively consistent geotechnical characteristics and assessing formation diggability.