Strengthening Slope Monitoring with GSS: A Collaborative Approach at PT BIB

OVERVIEW

PT Borneo Indobara (BIB) is one of Indonesia’s largest coal mining operations, located in South Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Operated under PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk and part of the Sinarmas Mining Group, the mine targets an annual coal production of approximately 50 million tonnes.

In addition to its operational scale, BIB is recognised for its strong commitment to Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSER), focusing on initiatives in community development, education, health, environmental sustainability, and disaster relief.

Geologically, the BIB concession is notably complex. The deposit forms an inverted U-shape along both limbs of a synclinal structure trending north-northeast. While coal seams generally dip at around 20 degrees, localised steep dips up to 60 degrees occur near basement volcanic and ophiolitic rocks, areas that also yield higher coal rank and calorific value.

The mine employs a combination of truck, shovel, and loader-based methods, optimising extraction efficiency across challenging geological conditions. Its technical sophistication and sustainability focus position BIB as a key contributor to Indonesia’s coal industry.

CHALLENGE

As mining at PT BIB progressed into deeper and more geologically complex zones, concerns around high wall stability intensified. Routine slope inspections, combined with data from geotechnical drilling logs, revealed warning signs of ground movement, particularly during the wet season.

Key indicators included surface cracking, slope deformation, and increased groundwater seepage. These early signs pointed to the potential for slope failure, prompting the geotechnical team to reassess their monitoring systems.

“The issue was first identified through routine slope inspections, geotechnical drilling logs, and increasing ground movement incidents, particularly during the wet season. Early signs such as surface cracking, slope deformation, and groundwater seepage were key indicators of potential failure zones.”
— Mohamad Soleh Joko Santoso, Survey Geotech & Exploration Manager, PT BIB

SOLUTION

To proactively manage geotechnical risks, PT BIB partnered with GroundProbe to implement an advanced slope stability monitoring solution. The primary objective was to enable early detection and rapid response to ground movement in high-risk areas, particularly those influenced by rainfall, geological conditions, and excavation depth.

GroundProbe’s SSR-XT, a high-precision Slope Stability Radar utilising 3D Real Aperture Radar (RAR) technology, was selected for its ability to deliver real-time, tactical monitoring with sub-millimetre accuracy. This empowered PT BIB’s geotechnical team to make fast, data-driven decisions based on reliable, high-resolution data.

A key factor in the effectiveness of this solution was the integration of GroundProbe’s Geotechnical Specialist Services (GSS). GSS played a central role not only in supporting the deployment but also in ensuring the long-term success of the monitoring program through strategic guidance, data analysis, and continuous collaboration with the site team.

The comprehensive solution included:

• MonitorIQ – GroundProbe’s advanced data analytics and visualisation platform
• Geotechnical Specialist Services (GSS) – continuous remote and on-site technical support for ongoing operational assurance
• Advanced SSR Training – capability development for PT BIB’s internal geotechnical team, delivered by GSS experts.

Key features and contributions of the integrated solution included:

• Mobile and flexible deployment of SSR-XT for targeted coverage in critical areas
• 24/7 real-time onsite monitoring via GroundProbe’s GSS placement project and supported by GSS Operations Centre in Balikpapan, Indonesia
• Regular analytical reports from GSS, including interpreted radar data and identified hazard trends
• On-site inspections and technical support from trained GSS personnel
• Competency-based alarm training, led by GSS, enabling safe and timely responses to slope movement
• Use of MonitorIQ to process complex radar data and present it in an intuitive, user-friendly format, allowing users to view and analyse information from one or multiple GroundProbe sensors with ease.

Thanks to the ongoing involvement of GSS, PT BIB gained more than just data, they gained a strategic partner who helped transform data into actionable insight, ensuring geotechnical risks could be managed with confidence and agility.

This fully integrated approach significantly enhanced PT BIB’s slope stability management, reducing operational risk and strengthening site resilience.

RESULTS

The implementation of GroundProbe’s monitoring system resulted in substantial improvements in both safety and decision-making at PT BIB.

• Continuous Monitoring

“GroundProbe’s SSR-XT provided 24/7 real-time displacement data, with sub-millimetre accuracy, enabling early detection of ground movement even under extreme weather and low visibility conditions.”
— Mohamad Soleh Joko Santoso, Survey Geotech & Exploration Manager, PT BIB

Pre-set deformation thresholds, tailored to geotechnical models and historical movement data, enabled timely alerts via the MonitorIQ platform:

• Trigger Alarms and Threshold Settings

“Pre-set deformation thresholds were configured based on geotechnical risk models and historical data, which allowed automatic alerts to be issued via GroundProbe’s MonitorIQ platform to the site’s geotechnical and safety teams.”
— Mohamad Soleh Joko Santoso, Survey Geotech & Exploration Manager, PT BIB

Radar deployment strategies were driven by risk-based mapping:

• Radar Coverage Strategy

“High-risk areas such as the south and west walls of Pit X and Pit Y were prioritised for radar coverage based on risk mapping conducted by the geotechnical engineering department. Mobile radar units allowed flexible deployment across multiple locations as required.”
— Mohamad Soleh Joko Santoso, Survey Geotech & Exploration Manager, PT BIB

Thanks to continuous support from GSS, who ensured real-time data interpretation, alarm validation, and rapid field response coordination, this proactive monitoring framework empowered the PT BIB team to intervene early, protect critical assets, and sustain production even under challenging conditions.

FUTURE ACTIONS

Following the success of the initial deployment, PT BIB aims to further strengthen its geotechnical monitoring capabilities in collaboration with GroundProbe.

One of the main priorities is expanding the use of high-precision radar technologies across more high-risk areas, with continued support from GSS for data interpretation, strategic planning, and hazard response.

Planned next steps include:

• Expanding radar coverage across additional critical zones

“The earth never remains silent, whispering something we may not hear. But with SSR-XT supported by GSS, we can hear its whispers before it speaks in the form of disaster.”
— M. Akram, Geotechnical Foreman PT BIB

• Enhancing staff with advanced SSR training to further grow internal expertise in radar analysis and hazard response

“We’ve seen how effective radar technology can be when combined with expert support and local knowledge. Going forward, our priority is to enable our partners to be fully self-reliant—well-trained, well-equipped, and empowered to act decisively using accurate, real-time data.”
— Rachmat Hamid Musa, Head of Geotechnical Support Services (GSS), GroundProbe

• Integrating monitoring systems into a unified, site-wide visualisation platform

“Integrated geotechnical monitoring systems will allow us to visualise and interpret data from multiple sources in one place, improving our decision-making, enhancing safety, and increasing efficiency across the site. This holistic approach provides us with a clearer picture of ground conditions in real-time, enabling proactive risk management like never before.”
— Barno Joyo Pasubondo, Geotech and Hydrogeology Section Head, PT BIB

These future initiatives will ensure PT BIB continues to lead with a proactive, data-driven approach to slope stability, supported by GSS’s trusted expertise, ensuring safer operations, sustainable production, and long-term resilience.

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