How does bench height selection directly impact slope stability and dilution control in open-pit mine design?

Bench height selection significantly impacts slope stability and dilution control in open-pit mine design. Bench height refers to the vertical distance between two consecutive levels in the pit. Slope stability is directly affected because higher benches contribute to higher overall slope heights. A higher overall slope increases the potential for large-scale slope failures, as the driving forces (gravity) are greater. This is because a taller slope contains more material, increasing the weight and therefore the forces acting to cause failure. Inter-ramp angles (the angle between the ....