Slope Stability Radar (SSR) is the world’s best practice to measure and monitor the stability of rock walls in open-cut mine sites.

GroundProbe was the first to introduce the slope stability radar to the mining industry. Today, our SSR systems are used by the world’s largest mining companies to both actively manage production-critical slopes and background monitoring of general slopes.

SSR combines the strengths of both radar and visual information to provide the full picture of slope movements. The SSR uses radar to remotely measure the movement of all wall surfaces and uses visual images to confirm and display the result. These dual measurements enable geotechnical engineers and mine personnel to confidently track slope movements and set alarms to improve safety and optimize productivity.

SSR systems are reliably operated in the most extreme global conditions and diverse applications of open-pit mining. We provide comprehensive support of SSR through our dedicated team of experienced technical specialists based around the world. We deliver immediate reports from SSR data through our dedicated on-site or remote-service geotechnical engineers.

Download the case studies to see how mines have benefited from the application of SSR, including:

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.