Geotechnical Engineering for Surface & Underground
In the development of any mineral asset, the geotechnical design is a critical input to the Ore Reserve. Absolute Geotechnics provides the technical expertise required to optimize designs and balance risk with economic efficiency.
We support projects through the study pipeline – from initial Scoping and PEA through to Feasibility Study (FS) and Implementation level.
Our Capabilities
1. Data Collection & Characterization
The integrity of a design is only as good as the underlying data. We manage comprehensive site investigation programs tailored to the project’s specific scale.
- Geotechnical Logging & Mapping: Expert oversight of core logging, oriented data collection, and surface/bench mapping.
- Laboratory Program Management: Designing and supervising rock and soil strength testing suites.
- Structural Domain Modeling: Interpreting complex structural environments to identify kinematic controls on stability.
2. Open Pit Slope Optimization
We define the geometric parameters that influence the limits of your pit shell, focusing on maximizing slope angles safely to reduce stripping ratios.
- Stability Analysis: 2D and 3D limit equilibrium and numerical modeling for both hard rock and weathered (saprolite) environments.
- Bench & Inter-ramp Geometry: Optimizing catch bench widths and berm intervals based on kinematics, rockfall analysis and operational requirements.
- Hydrogeological Integration: Assessing pore pressure impacts and recommending depressurization strategies.
3. Underground Mine Design (to PFS Level)
We provide geotechnical assessments for underground development, ensuring that early-stage mine designs are grounded in realistic stability parameters.
- Stope & Excavation Stability: Determining stable spans and stope dimensions to guide early-stage production scheduling.
- Ground Support Requirements: Developing preliminary support regimes (bolting, mesh, shotcrete) based on rock mass quality and stress environments.
- Transition Analysis: Evaluating the geotechnical interactions between open-pit and underground workings for projects moving to depth.
Strategic Study Management
We deliver the geotechnical chapters and sign-offs required for international technical reporting standards (JORC, NI 43-101).
- FS-Level Confidence: Providing the rigorous engineering required for project advancement, investment decisions, and reserve declaration.
- Trade-off Studies: Evaluating the geotechnical implications of various mining methods, pit phasing, and pushback strategies.
- Gap Analysis: Identifying data deficiencies early in the study lifecycle to streamline future drilling and testing costs.
Global Experience, Regional Focus
- Specialized Expertise: From the deep tropical weathering profiles of West Africa to the hard rock environments of the Arabian Shield. AG has the global experience and geological understanding for your project/
- Technical Partnerships: We work as a collaborative partner with resource geologists and mining engineering firms to ensure geotechnical inputs are seamlessly integrated into the Mine Plan.
“Our focus is delivering designs that are technically defensible, operationally practical, and economically optimized.”
Ready to define your project parameters?
Contact Rob Thomas to discuss your technical delivery needs.
