To prevent landslides, the slope is a crucial component that needs to be evaluated. Mining activities produce slopes, both natural slopes and artificial slopes, and if a slope is not designed properly, its stability will be adversely affected. The purpose of this study is to determine the stability of a slope supported by sedimentary rocks as the constituent material of the slope. Data processing is carried out using the RS2 Version 11 software and finite element methods (FEMs) by considering the value of the strength reduction factor (SRF) and maximum displacement of the slope. The results obtained for stage 1 show that a maximum displacement of 0 m was obtained, along with a critical value of SRF = 1. A maximum displacement of 0.2 m was obtained in stage 2, with a critical SRF of 1.25. In stage 3, 0.2 m was the highest attained displacement, and the critical SRF was 1.26. A maximum displacement of 0.4 m and a critical SRF of 1.31 were found in stage 4. The maximum displacement in stage 5 was 0.8 m, while the critical SRF was 1.34, and the critical SRF in stage 6 was 1.35, while the maximum displacement was 0.8 m. Finally, the maximum displacement in stage 7 was 1.6 m, while the critical SRF was 1.36. A general pattern emerged from the results of stages 1 through 7. Specifically, the maximum permitted displacement value increased with the critical value of SRF. As the slope moved, it also became more stable, with a big critical SRF. If a slope’s deformation exceeds 1.6 m, it will collapse at a safety factor of 1.36. Furthermore, the contour level showed that the factor of safety (FoS) falls between 1.4 and 4.2. Additionally, as sigma 1 and 3 increase, the resulting FoS value increases as well.

Saudi Natural Pozzolan (SNP) can be processed and used in construction as a partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Its use as a supplementary cementitious material supports more sustainable and eco-friendly building practices. This study investigates various treatment methods for enhancing the reactivity of SNPs, including thermal, mechanical, thermo-mechanical, mechano-thermal, and chemical techniques. The activity of 18 different treated SNP mixtures was evaluated using the Strength Activity Index (SAI). Results identified the optimum conditions for each treatment: thermal treatment at 600 °C, mechanical treatment through 6 h of grinding, and chemical treatment with a 9% addition of hydrated lime. The SAI results demonstrated that a 6 h mechanical treatment was the most effective method for activating the raw pozzolan. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that phases such as quartz, anorthite, and aluminate are significant contributors to pozzolanic activity. The XRD analysis was further supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which examined microstructural changes. This study highlights the potential of maximizing the utilization of extensive pozzolan resources in the Harrat region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Treated SNP can be applied in various industries, such as mining backfills, brick industry, and pozzolanic concrete, as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material.

Alternate rock-breaking techniques to drilling and blasting could include using microwaves to break up rock masses. Drilling for blasting has a significant issue with the cost of drill bit replacement in a short time (weekly). The microwave-breaking technology could be a solution, but research is continuing. This research clarifies the proposed methods through a case study of PT. ATC is an andesite quarry that employs the drill-and-blast technique to break rock. This experiment replicates the previous study’s conclusion that rock strength decreases following microwave treatment on two rock strength tests involving the Point Load Index (PLI) and Schmidt Hammer (SH). The dynamic test (PUNDIT) result indicates that the p-wave velocity of microwaved samples is greater than that of non-microwaved samples (NMW). As a consequence of evaporation and mineral transformation within the rock, the density of the rock decreases, and the porosity increases.

There are 21 million tons of nickel deposits in Indonesia, which produced 800,000 tons in 2019. The amount of nickel waste has increased because of the high nickel production rate. Both liquid and solid by-products of nickel processing, slurry, and slag, are created. The amount of tailings slurry produced annually in Indonesia is up to 25.6 million tons, compared to 13 million tons of nickel slag. Nickel slag can be recycled since it contains valuable metals, including nickel, cobalt, and copper. The chemical composition of 70% nickel slag is 41.47% Silica, 30.44% Ferric Oxide, and 2.58% Alumina. An inventive solution to replace components of shotcrete with nickel slag was discovered through literature research. On the other hand, some businesses intend to use a technology to tackle the slurry nickel, known as "Deep Sea Tailing Placement (DSTP), to dispose of nickel sludge waste on the ocean floor. However, the government has not approved this DSTP method because it might harm marine habitats. This research discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the Deep-Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) approach and the onshore tailings disposal method. This document can serve as a starting point for the usage of shotcrete in the mining sector and is hoped to be a resource for mining businesses looking to dispose of tailings on land or at sea.

Underground excavation is required for mining engineering and nuclear waste repository. As the excavation progresses, the stress increases, and brittle failures frequently exist. Brittle failures are arranged into two types: spalling and rock bursting. Spalling in the shape of a V-notch may severely damage the machine and workers involved in its development. This potential hazard can be mitigated by fully representing all parameters that cause spalling in the model. Thus, optimized tunnel design can be achieved. As a result, the company can strike a balance between profit and safety. Several possible results can be proposed by conducting a series of sensitivity studies on a credible model based on a real-world case study of spalling in the Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in Canada. It includes predicting the Depth of Failure (DOF) of spalling by changing two main parameters, particularly strength (tensile and crack initiation) and stress (σ₁). The result reveals that increasing tensile strength over UCS decreases DOF, increasing percentages of crack initiation (CI) over UCS decreases DOF, and increasing σ_max over UCS increases DOF. Moreover, systematic errors in the generated model can lead to inaccurate DOF estimation. This problem must be approached with engineering judgment in order for the solution to correspond to the actual spalling phenomenon.