Horizontal bores and drains are crucial infrastructures for maintaining the stability of large open-pit mines. Induced deformations as the result of mining activities and the infiltration of water from large surface catchments during heavy rain events can cause the build-up of pore water pressures in brown coal batters. This can potentially lead to catastrophic slope failures. Horizontal boreholes and drains are commonly installed at shallow inclines and typically range in length from 150 to 400 metres. Due to complexities in surveying lengthy horizontal bores, the long-term internal properties of these structures are poorly understood. In this research, a specialised horizontal borehole camera was developed to observe a range of factors influencing borehole performance including the identification of fractured or jointed material, borehole geometry and features, and locationally dependent water outflow and drainage paths. Investigations were undertaken at an operational brown coal mine in the Latrobe Valley, located in Victoria, Australia. Features observed on the profile of horizontal bores are discussed, with an emphasis on providing in-situ material characterisation and for the purposes of maintaining stable mine batters.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	horizontal borehole camera, mine drainage, open pit mine
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Civil engineering
Research Field:	Civil geotechnical engineering
Objective Division:	Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards
Objective Group:	Natural hazards
Objective Field:	Geological hazards (e.g. earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity)
UTAS Author:	Dyson, A (Dr Ashley Dyson)
ID Code:	145290
Year Published:	2021
Deposited By:	Engineering
Deposited On:	2021-07-14
Last Modified:	2021-09-24
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