An integrated geotechnical risk management approach using cloud-based risk assessments, artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring and drone technology

Abstract

Open-cast slope monitoring consists of a combination of visual, drone, satellite, and radar monitoring. The size and complexity of open-cast strip mines and the amount of data generated complicates hazard identification and communication on mines. In the South African coal mining industry, geotechnical data is manually processed by the rock engineering departments. To ensure that the geotechnical data are optimally used, automated systems are required to process and display the data. An improved geotechnical risk management approach, which uses an integration of the latest technology, was proposed. This includes improvements in the geotechnical monitoring process by using artificial intelligence for crack detection, elevation differences of drone data to track slope movement, radar monitoring, and satellite monitoring. A cloud-based mobile application was developed to capture and display geotechnical risks to improve communication. This paper will focus on how these technologies have been utilized at Mine X.