The Slope Stability Radar (SSR) is a state-of-the-art technology used to measure and monitor the stability of rock walls such as at open-cut mine sites.

The SSR is the only system in the world that provides continuous sub-millimetre measurements of rock wall movements across the entire face of a wall. Utilising radar, the SSR system does not require any contact with the wall. Moreover, its measurements are not affected by rain, dust or smoke, enabling geotechnical engineers and mine personnel to confidently track movements and manage risk whilst optimizing safety and productivity.

The system incorporates sophisticated software, the SSRViewer™, to display and monitor the progression of movement. The software provides a unique method of tracking deformation and set alarms, allowing the system to be fully integrated into an operation's emergency procedures.

There are currently over 60 SSR systems successfully operating around the world. These systems have not only helped mines optimise safety and productivity, but have also led to the establishment of a global user community consisting of professionals from some of the world's largest mining companies and open-cut pits.

Other applications for the SSR exist in areas such as civil engineering and construction.

Effective utilisation of the SSR technology can provide significant benefits as a result of improved geotechnical risk management based on Quantitative data obtained with the SSR.

Typically these include:

Improved operator safety

The SSR allows advanced warning of rock mass failure ranging in size from small scale failures of a few tonnes to failures of several million tonnes. Advanced detection of pending rock mass failure allows removal of equipment and people from risk areas prior to failure thus reducing the risk of human injury or equipment damage.

Improved production optimisation

Data obtained from the SSR provides significantly more data than ever before available when managing production critical Geotechnical Risk. This data allows geotechnical, mine planning and production engineers to make informed and calculated decisions to optimise mine productivity in a safe manner.

Increased Production in Geotechnical Risk Areas

Production in geotechnical risk areas can be increased as the SSR provides near real time information on rock mass acceleration. The high precision of the SSR data allows geotech and production engineers to base risk management strategies on considerably more accurate data than is available without the SSR. The result is increased availability of geotechnically challenging production areas equating to a safe increase in utilisation of production equipment in these areas.

Reduction of Post Blast Production Delays

The SSR can monitor bench stability in response to a blast event. Several mines with wall stability issues associated with blasting have been able to reduce the required stand by time following a blast allowing production equipment into new blast zones sooner, reducing the impact of production delays.

Improved Management of Wet Weather Production Risk

Rather than having to shut down areas of the pit which may be impacted by an increase in hydrostatic pressures, the SSR allows improved feedback on the impact of rain events on certain areas of the pit. Rather than having to shut down pit regions based on assumptions on the impact of rain events, the SSR allows continual monitoring and updates on rock mass movement in response to rain. As a result, production can continue to operate based on informed real time analysis and reaction to geotechnical risk rather than generic procedures.

Increased Pit Life

SSR monitoring in conjunction with detailed risk management procedures has resulted in increased pit life in multiple global applications. Bottom of pit ore that was previously considered too hazardous to recover has been excavated safely in conjunction with SSR monitoring and steeping of final bench walls.

Due to the accuracy and density of data recorded, SSR monitoring of the geotechnical risk allows production crews to operate safely in areas that were previously considered too hazardous to operate.

Potential to improve mine design and ground support requirements

SSR data can be used to improve the understanding of rock mass performance and the impact of structure on wall stability. Some global operations have been able to significantly improve return on investment as a result of increasing the design angle of the pit. The increase in pit design angle was associated with improved understanding of rock mass performance based on data obtained using the SSR.

Download the SSR case studies to see how mines have benefited from the application of the technology.

Current & Past Sites

Slope Stability Radar units are in use throughout a number of high profile open-cut mines throughout the world. Click on the interactive map to see which global operations have benefited from the use of SSR systems.