Geomechanical Modeling of the Northern Katpar Deposit (Kazakhstan): Assessing the Impact of Rock Mass Disturbance on Stability Safety Factor
Akhmatnurov D. Zamaliyev N. Mussin R. Demin V. Tolovkhan B. Ganyukov N. Skrzypkowski K. Korzeniowski W. Stasica J. Rak Z.
December 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Mining
2025#5Issue 4
The development of a geomechanical model is aimed at enhancing the safety of mining operations through the determination of optimal slope angles and the probabilistic assessment of pit wall stability. For the conditions of open-pit mining, three-dimensional geomechanical models were constructed based on the calculation of the slope stability factor using the Rocscience Slide2/Slide3 (v.9.027, 2023) software package. The stress–strain state of the rock mass at the final stage of extraction was evaluated using the finite element method. Strength reduction factors (SRF) were determined considering the physico-mechanical properties of the rocks forming the near-contour zone of the massif. The stability of the pit slopes was assessed along individual geological cross-sections in accordance with the design contours of the Northern Katpar open pit. Calculations performed using several methods confirmed the overall stability of the pit walls. The final design parameters of the projected open pit were determined. For the first time, it was established that in the southern and southwestern sectors of the Northern Katpar pit, within the elevation range of +700 to +400 m, a reduction in the SFR (from 1.18 to 1.41) occurs due to the predominance of siltstones and the presence of tectonic disturbances. The generalized results of numerical slope stability analyses for the design pit contour, together with the developed geological–structural model of the deposit, provide a basis for ensuring the safe conduct of mining operations at the site.
engineering geology , Geological Strength Index (GSI) , geomechanical modeling , Northern Katpar deposit , open-pit mining , rock mass classification , rock mass disturbance , Rocscience , slope stability , strength reduction factor , Strength Reduction Factor (SFR) , stress–strain state , tectonic faults
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Department of Mining of Mineral Deposits, Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University, 56 Nursultan Nazarbayev Avenue, Office 406, Karaganda, 100027, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Krakow, Krakow, 30-059, Poland
Department of Mining of Mineral Deposits
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management
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