Geotechnical study of mudcell as a management strategy for slurry overburden material at mine sites

Abstract

The challenge of managing the substantial volume of high-moisture content slurry overburden material at active mine sites is fundamentally a geotechnical problem. Uncontrolled and direct disposal of this material leads to low shear strength and delayed consolidation, significantly compromising the overall stability of the disposal facility and posing substantial geotechnical failure risks. This research proposes the mudcell concept as a structured, engineered solution to mitigate these risks. Specifically, this study aims to geotechnically evaluate the stability of the proposed mudcell geometry by determining its Factor of Safety (FoS). The analysis employs the Limit Equilibrium Method, a standard approach for assessing slope and fill stability, to rigorously calculate the FoS against critical failure modes. The results demonstrate that implementing the mudcell principle provides an effective strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of the fill. Crucially, the final design achieves a Factor of Safety (FoS) that meets the design criteria Factor of Safety satisfying the minimum requirement, thereby confirming the required long-term stability and feasibility of the mudcell approach for large-scale slurry management.