Slope stability assessment is essential for safe and sustainable development widely applied in mining, civil, and environmental engineering projects around the world. This study aimed to conduct a stability analysis of a selected Himalayan road cut slope from two different sections, named sections (A) and (B). The strength reduction factor (SRF) based on the finite element method was used to simulate the slope sections using Phase2 software. A mesh pattern of six node triangle elements was used during the numerical simulation. The Mohr-Coulomb parameters and other inputs used in the numerical modelling of the investigated slope were estimated by different geotechnical tests, namely, the direct shear test, density analysis test, rock hardness test, and Brazilian test. The results indicated that the critical SRF of the completely weathered slope profile section (A), with a relatively low overall angle, was found to be 1.25, which is approximately 50% lower than the value obtained in the moderately to highly weathered profile section (B), equal to 2.53. These results are in agreement with other published studies, which revealed that the geometry of a slope influences the weathering grade, which in turn destabilizes the slope. The results of this study will help in engineering slope design considering the influence of weathering.

Few investigations have focused on the potential uses of artisanal gold (Au) mine tailings, despite the fact that artisanal gold mining activity contributes to environmental issues such as greenhouse gas. Mineralogical characterizations of artisanal gold mine tailings in Miyove gold mine (Baradega and Masogwe) in Rwanda were investigated for potential utilization as a source of valuable gold, using the centrifugal separation technique. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence showed that artisanal gold mine tailings samples have significant amounts of gold to justify economical gold extraction opportunity. The gold grades in the ores and artisanal gold mine tailings were in the ranges of 37–152 and 2–7 g t⁻¹, respectively. Quartz was a major phase, with minor impurities in two different types of gold ores and their respective tailings. The beneficiation carried out using centrifugal separation, regarded as an extension of gravity separation, showed gold grades in the range of 535–1515 g t⁻¹ for gold ores and 36–302 g t⁻¹ for artisanal gold mine tailings. The gold recoveries for ores and artisanal gold mine tailings were in the range of 21.8–47.3% and 46.9–63.8%, respectively. The results showed that the centrifugal separation technique was more efficient in boosting gold recovery compared to the present panning approach employed at the site, which sometimes recover as low as 10%. The results suggest that mineralogical characterization of artisanal gold mine tailings allows for the development and design of a suitable methods for improving gold ore beneficiation and artisanal gold mine tailings reprocessing.

The nature of gold (Au) ore deposits plays an essential role in determining the best gold recovery method as an alternative to cyanidation, considering environmental concerns. Thiourea (Tu) leaching of gold is an alternative lixiviant for treating sulfide gold ores and concentrates. The present study investigated the leaching behavior of Au from sulfide gold ore concentrates obtained from the Cripple Creek site (Newmont operated mine) using acidified thiourea solution. The concentrates containing pyrite, K-feldspar, quartz, and gypsum as major minerals were roasted before leaching to break down complex sulfides and improve the gold’s leachability. Parameters investigated include the leaching time (1–7 h), temperature (20–60 °C), pulp density (20–60 g/L), and thiourea concentration (20–60 g/L) to determine optimum conditions for Au dissolution. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used as an oxidizing agent and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) to maintain an acidic environment during the leaching process. The highest Au dissolution percentage of 96.2 was obtained after 6 h of leaching with 40 g/L thiourea at 60 °C, pH 1, and pulp density of 20 g/L. Based on the results presented in this work, the dissolution of gold with thiourea in an acidic solution would be a potential alternative to the traditional cyanide process, with the increase in understanding of the green leaching of Au from sulfide gold ores.