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7th BALKANMINE CONGRESS – Proceedings, Prijedor 2017

DOI: 10.7251/BMC170701297B

RISK MANAGEMENT ON THE INNER LANDFILL OF SURFACE


MINE "TAMNAVA – WEST FIELD"

Danijela BOŽIĆ1
1
EPS RB Kolubara, Serbia, danijelabozic1976@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The greatest engineering challenges in the process of exploitation of lignite began after the flooding at
the SM "Tamnava – West field" in May 2014. Specific geotechnical conditions required changes in
technology on excavation and landfill, and the task in order to continue with production of coal was
solved with methods which exceeded former theoretical knowledge. All solutions are checked with
geotechnical investigation works, geostatic calculations and with geodetic monitoring of problematic
field. The main objective of this paper is to show ways to overcome the shortcomings of previously
designed solutions. At this moment, mullock material is used for ensuring the stability of temporary
slopes and for extrusion of watery and muddy material in landfill toe area.

Key words: risk management, landfill, remediation

1. INTRODUCTION

Formation of the inner landfill in SM ”Tamnava-West Field” started 18 years ago. The site
covers an area of 8.50 km2 and is shown in the figure 1 between the internal lines: OE and PO
(west – east direction) and 172.5 to 142.5 (north – south direction). With the effected height
of 142 masl, the height difference of 132 meters in relation to the deepest open level within
the coal exploitation area is achieved (minimum level on the coal system is 10.50 masl).
Gradient of working slopes system is generally mild, amounting to about 4°. The disposed
material – soft soil (lessoid and coaly clay, gravel, sand, alevrolite, and related varieties) is
filled to thickness of up to 90.00 meters. The lenght of contour of the system of the northern
finishing slopes is about 2.00 km. The southern, advancing front of working slopes is inclined
from 142.50 to 145.00 line, and is up to 3.00 km long. There are plana of interlaminar
sediments developing to the east-west direction, which strenghten the landfill’s footing and
extrude the surface mud from the pre-footing area (figure 5). The entire site overlays the
watered, medium-grained, quartz – micaceous sand, water from which is firstly drained into
collection basins of SM ”Tamnava-West Field” and then re-pumped into collection basins of
inactive SM ”Tamnava-East Field”. The re-pumping process ends into a flowing lake – an
extended part of the artificial flow of the Kolubara river. The figure 1 is a layout of the inner
landfill, flowing lake and the Kolubara, inclusive of surveying benchmarks and area covered
by sludge- watered deposits.

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2. METHODS USED FOR CONTROL OVER INSTABILITIES ON WORKING


SLOPES DURING PRE-FLOODING PERIOD

In the pre-flooding period, there was no technically acceptable method for providing realistic
prognosis on design slope stability of II BTO (alevrolite and related varieties) and I BTO
systems (made of the Quaternary sediments). The unique solution that the author of this paper
considered for control over the sudden landsliding toward lower parts of the open-pit mine
was formation of sandy counterforts in front of the then lable working slopes of II BTO
system. This solution was based on the fact that the quartz – micaceous sand was chemically
viable soil, not prone to degradation under abrupt temperature fluctuations. In addition to this,
their grain-size distribution allowed the surface water drain easily from pores and voids of
fresh disposed, impermeable masses of working slopes (figure 2). Risk controlling by the
proposed method was also acceptable in terms of financial validity, for sand was one of the
lithologic members of the exploitation field.
This implementation of the method started in 2013, and the most important testing was
carried out during the pumping of the mine (2014), when the landslide in lenght 65.00 m and
width 1170.00 m was activated. On that occassion, the sandy cones managed to mitigate the
blows and save the submersed machinery from the mechanical damage. The position of the
diffused cones and moved ground is documented in the two underwater imageries of ”Plov
puta”. The photo of the landslide area (28 November, 2014) is provided in the figure 3.

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Figure 1. Skecth of SM ”Tamnava-West Field”, with benchmarks observed, and area covered by sludge
and water remained after the pumping of working figure

Figure 2. Protective sandy objects,, in front of Figure 3. Activated landslide of watered, poorly
the footing of the inner landfill of SM”TWF”, consolidated masses of II BTO system, during
pre-flooding period decrease of level in the flooding lake for 20.00 m-
28.11.2014

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3. ENGINEERING CHALLENGES IN FORMING THE LANDFILL, DURING AND


AFTER THE PUMPING OF THE MINE

In course and after the pumping specific circumstances were generated in the inner landslide.
The following issues should have been resolved:
 overtopping the ground beyond the design maximum levels (+110 masl) in area of the
north, finishing slope, and securing the continuos pumping of the mine by possible
rescue of submersed machinery,
 rehabilitating the pre-footing watered and sludged area of the landfill, in order to
secure further disposal (figure 4. and 4a),
 securing the slope stability along the corridor in order to move the machinery to the
next mine ”Radljevo”, and
 aligning the landfilling technology with the requirement for increased manufacture of
lignite to 2 000 000 t/annum.
The said assignments required the progressive and cautious analyzing of all available data,
given the solutions had to be complied with the rulebooks on exploitation of mineral raws and
law on mining anf geology.

4. METHODS, INVESTIGATION RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS ON


GEOTECHNICAL CONDITIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF LANDFILL,
DURING AND AFTER PUMPING OF THE MINE

4.1 Methods and results of investigation performed in the inner landslide during and
after pumping of the mine

Doubts about the general stability of the inner landslide were intensified during and after the
mine pumping. In order to ensure the real assessment of possible rescue of submersed
machinery and continuous pumping of the mine, the geotechnical investigations were
designed. The investigation results (two-staged investigation) were a basis for creating the
field model and deploying geostatic calculations. The tables 1 and 2 provide calculation
parameters for the recognized geotechnical zones. Geotechnical investigations were based on
the strength parameters of alevrolite which was a predominant soil in the landslide
composition. The figure 4 shows nonconsolidated blocks of alevrolite, grain-size 300 – 1000
mm. All mathematical analysis of slope stability were verified by geodetic tracking of 33
benchmarks within seventeen cycles (from June 2014 to May 2015) as well as by underwater
recording. During the pumping of the mine, no response on groundwater from piezometers
was received, while during the hydrogeological monitoring it was impossible to define a
unique aquifier and conclude whether the slope stability was affected by action of filtration
forces. Pumping tests showed the soil was poorly permeable to impermeable, and that, by
simplification principle for such type of mining activity, it could have been considered as an
earth fill relying upon permeable sand. The sandy subsoil of the landfill is seismic resistant
and with good bearing capacity, with thickness exceeding 100.00 m.

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Table 1. Engineering geological properties of the field for area - 1 poorly consolidated soil
Density of Density of Angle of Compressibility
cohesion:
Geotechnical naturally humid absolutely arid internal modulus:
cu
environment soil : soil: friction: σ=100-200
(kN/m2)
ϒ (kN/m3) ϒd (kN/m3) φu(0) (kN/m2)
Disposed
18.90 14.80 50 0 1550-7600
material 1
Note: The presented strength parameters are applicable to non-drained conditions for disposed alevrolite, depth
from 8.00 to 10.00 meters.

Table 2. Engineering geological properties of the field for area – 2 highly consolidated soil
Density of Density of Angle of Compressibility
cohesion:
Geotechnical naturally absolutely arid internal modulus:
cu
environment humid soil : soil: friction: σ=100-200
(kN/m2)
ϒ (kN/m3) ϒd (kN/m3) φu(0) (kN/m2)
Disposed
20.80 17.78 32 39.40 1450-6100
material 2
Disposed It has properties of bedrock when positioned at depth
material 3 exceeding 35.00 meters.
Note: The presented strength parameters are applicable to drained conditions for disposed alevrolite, depth
from 10.00 to 35.00 meters. The given parameters can also be adopted by calculating the limit bearing capacity
of the planum on which the planned overtops would be built.

Figure 4. A detail from the slope of nonconsolidated blocks of alevrolite, grain size 300-1000 mm
(II BTO system)

4.2 Conclusions on geotechnical conditions for forming the landfill during and after
pumping

The reahabilitation of the flooded mine and execution of geotechnical works was performed
in regular consultation with the Jaroslav Ĉerni Institute for the Development of Water
Resources from Belgrade. The related results were documented in seven reports prepared by
members of the team in charge of monitoring the pumping process.
It was concluded that the slope security of II BTO system depended on adhesion of earth
blocks due to asperity of great contact area, fill hight and subsoil inclination. The joining of
cones resulted in formation of a working slope made of chaotically filled blocks, grain size
ranging between 300 mm and 1000 mm. Filling the gaps between the cones with material to

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designed levels in the hinterlands of the working slopes resulted in plana in lenght over
100.00 m. The positive impact of so chaotically distributed blocks was the plunging and
natural draining of surface water within the slopes of II BTO system. However, behaviour of
the ground when the earth blocks were highly leached by surface water and voids were filled
with water, what was the case during the flood and long-lasting and heavy rainfall, was
slightly different from behaviour of the monolithes of those sediments in the mine. Simulating
of similar conditions was done through triaxial tests in undrained, non-consolidated
conditions onto samples extracted from 5.00 m depth, from boreholes positioned nearby the
flooding lake. The method resulted in strenght parameters shown in the table 1. For depths
greater than 10.00 m it was assumed that the earth blocks were crushed under the weight of an
overburden of recently filled masses, and that better settlement of materials was reached. This
theory was confirmed by standard penetration testing. The properties of this environment and
measuring methods are presented in the table 2. The uneven values of compressibilty modulus
(Ms(100-200 (kN/m2)=1450-6100 kN/m2) indicated that the soil was not consolidated at the
moment, and that roaming water might occur through voids of loose material. The author of
geostatic calculations for slope stability decided not to model the roaming water as ground
water, for they were not part of a unique aquifier (verified by hydrogeological monitoring) nor
could pore pressures develop in them due to diffused motion and occassional oocurrence
(during rainfall). After the pumping of the mine was finished, the described geotechnical
model was used for preparation of monthly operative plans, and calculated results were
verified in seven cycles of geodetic measurements of 53 benchmarks. It should be noted that
deformations on the working slopes of II BTO system of the landslide occured once, when
water in the flooding lake dropped for 20 meters. The instability exested even before the
flood, when the ground was affected by landslides due to rapid landfilling in thickness greater
than 50 m across the slanted base (figures 3, 8 and 9). The method of risk control against
sudden sliding, before the flood and the works, is described in the chapter 2 (figure 2).

4.3 Overtopping the landfill beyond earlier design maximum levels

The author of this paper analized the space after the pumping (the space was extending from
the muddy area to the finishing slopes on north (2.00 km long)) and obtained positive results
in terms of capacity of the field for safe execution of intervention works inclusive of
landfilling onto the tight area. This portion of the landfill was formed of alevrolite that had
been depositing 15 years before the flood. Stability was checked by geostatic calculations by
Spencer method, including the strenght parameters under tables 1 and 2. As the analysis
showed no existence of sliding plane through a base that was 2.00 km away from the flooded
lake, standard penetration testing and direct determination of capacity were therefore
cancelled. That decision was also supported by the fact that fresh alevrolite on the bank of the
flooded lake had already been tested for standard penetration and that better results in terms of
capacity might have been expected in the area outside impact of the lake. Field overtopping
above the design maximum levels was regularly followed by visual inspection. Observations
on soil behaviour were compared with the instrumental surveying in grid of 33 benchmarks.
The analysis excluded the impacts of the highest onto the lowest, saturated parts of the field
and forming of sliding body in lenght of about 2.00 km. However, due to expressed suspicion
of colleagues into the validity of all previous works and conclusions on geotechnical
conditions in the landfill, it was decided to pay more attention to the given assignment. The
author of this paper tried to mitigate the possibility that certain instability factor was
overlooked in the analysis by proposing that tailings should be filled in steps of 10.00 m high

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in wide fronts. This technology was expected to ensure more even consolidation of loose
material in any weather circumastances. The first overtop above the design maximum levels
was carried out in February 2015 to level +120 masl. The figure 6 shows the state of affairs in
the site for level of +142.00 masl, in June 2017.

5. EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES FOR DISPOSPING SOFT SOIL INTO MUDDY


AREA

Once the pumping of the mine was completed, the watered ground with properties of a marsh,
in an area of around 22 ha, remained to overlay the coal and sand in the pre-footing area of
the working slopes of the landfill (figures 5, 5a and 5b). This geodynamic phenomenon is a
low capacity base for stable fills of tailings soil. The impact of lable soils onto the stability of
higher systems of the landslide and possibilities of their co-action on security of coal systems
were explored. It was also required to determine the degree of risk from sliding down of
disposed, earth masses from higher zones for needs of moving the machinery into the mine
”Radljevo”.

5.1 Proposal for rehabilitation of the muddy field, and implementation

A rough solution to rehabilitation of the watered part of the field was presented by the author
of this paper in June 2016, via means of electronic correspondence, to all members of the
expert team of MB ”Kolubara”. The proposed sandy rehabilitation of the lable field was
documented in the Report on sludge (deposit) at SM ”TWF” no. 04.07-363408/1-16 of
12.09.2016. The rehabilitation measure included the extrusion of the lable, fluid materials by
interlaminar sand to the deepest parts of the field. Sand-made plana in the east-west direction
would be formed by this technology. The filling would last until the contact with a solid base
– coal or flooring sand is achieved, with simultaneous extruding of lable soil into the space
from which water could be injected into the surrounding granular ground or removed by
pumps. At the same time, the sandy plana would serve as counterforts against higher disposed
masses and drains for remaining water masses. The figures 5, 5a and 5b confirm the started
implementation of the solution.

Figure 5. Sandy masses extruding Figure 5a. Marshy part of the Figure 5b. Marshy part of the mine
the mud to deepest,, western part mine bordered by sandy planum confined by sandy masses to the
of land (September 1, 2016) to south (September 2, 2016) western, deepest space (June, 2017)

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6. COMPLETION OF PROPOSED GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR RISK


CONTROL IN THE INNER LANDFILL

Due to thightness of the disposal area, the overtops were performed just during the pumping
of the mine. Currently, they are 32.00 meters above the design maximum heights. Slopes were
not demolished in this area, nor the impact of increased strains reflected to the lower, before-
footing and watered slopes. Land slides or failures were not projected in the calculations, nor
were observed during the new geodetic monitoring of seven cycles on 53 points (the
measurements took place from September to March 2017). The state of affairs in the
performed working slopes of I BTO system (level 142 masl) and wide planum (disposed clay
and terraced gravel) in the area of landfill where the earlier design maximum level was
exceeded are shown in the figure 6.

Figure 6. Planum and slope at the I BTO system of inner landfill OP “TWF” with no deformation and landslide -
25.06.2017

The instabilities occured in lower parts of the landfill, just after the monitoring stopped in
April 2017, when an earth block happened to slide down the working slopes of II BTO system
in lenght of 450 m and width to 380 m (figures 1, 8 and 9). This caused no damages to the
machinery nor delays in landfilling works. The figure 1 shows the sliding body contoured
between the profile lines 150 and 145 (north-south), OO and P (west – east). The influcence
of the ground in motion onto the machinery operating at lower levels was prevented by plana
of sand and interlaminar tailings- the materials which also extruded the mud and water toward
deeper, western part of the mine, as in accordance with the proposal presented in the Report
on sludge (figure 5). The analysis showed that the essential factor for instability was the
landfilling onto the subsoil with morphological anomalies in form of amphitheatre recessions,
within which poorly consolidated masses were repacking due to gravity action. The secondary
factor of instability was dewatering of soil due to abrupt rise of temperature and reduction of
apparent cohesion. The sliding or dispersing of materials are expected to take place in the
ground until local depressions become filled. The risk of landslide actions against the coal
systems is reduced by designing slopes with general gradient of 7° and plana, at the level of
+66,00 masl in width of 165 m. The deformed flooring of second coal complex is illustrated
in the figure 9. The block diagram shows ground in motion bordered with lines Oqr-P-Pbc
(west – east) and 152-135 (north – south).

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7. CONLCUSION

Assessing the same issue in mupltiple manners is a consequence of adjustments in number of


variable data and understanding of conditions in the site that is a dynamic-static system, in
area of 8.50 km2. The investigations performed in 2014 and 2015 enabled new approaches in
defining the instability factors in the area of inner landfill SM ”TWF”.
The main objective of this paper is to minimize the bias impact when assessing the
instabilities, with adjusting the all human values to nature-ruled principles. The accurate
interpretation of instability factors ensures the proper risk control in landfills.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I wish to thank my colleagues in SM ”TWF” for suggesting me to improve the interpretation


of available data, to devise geotechnical exploratory works and provide proposals for
rehabilitation of specific issues.

Figure 8. Landslide on II BTO system of inner


landfill, 400 m wide (April 5, 2017). Contours of the
sliding body follow the shape of deformed plane of
Figure 9. Block diagram with anomalies within the
slope of II coal complex
flooring of II coal complex, disposed material is sliding
and dispersing along them - (Z.Kitanović, geological
engineer)

REFERENCES

[1] Gojković, N., Obradović, R.,Ĉebešek, V. (2008.), Slope stability at landfills of surface mines, University of
Belgrade, Faculty of Mining and Geological Engineering.
[2] Gojković, N., Obradović, R.,Ĉebešek, V. (2008.), Geomechanical properties of materials in surface mine
landfills. University of Belgrade. Faculty of Mining and Geological Engineering
[3] Gojković, N., Obradović, R.,Ĉebešek, V. (2004.), Slope stability of surface mines. University of Belgrade,
Faculty of Mining and Geological Engineering
[4] Pavlović, N. (2016.) Uncertainties and errors in geotehnical investigations. Proceedings of the 15th
symposium on engineering geology and geotehnics, Belgrade, pp 155-176.

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[5] Božić, D. (2016.), Results of detailed and additional geotehnical investigations at the inner landfill of open
pit mine ”Tamnava-West field” after the extreme floods in 2014, Proceedings of the 15th symposium on
engineering geology and geotehnics, Belgrade, pp 115-129.
[6] Fund documentation in MB ”Kolubara”.

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