Site investigation and data acquisition
- Core and face logging (RMR/Q), structural mapping and stereonet interpretation
- Lab program design and interpretation (UCS, triaxial, direct shear, point load, density, moisture)
Mining Geotechnical Consultants — Western Australia
Locate WA‑experienced geotechnical consultants for pit slope, underground ground support, monitoring integration and study inputs. YouMine is a directory; consultants provide the engineering.
The problem
- Reactive interventions consume equipment hours and reduce production KPIs.
- Late geotechnical updates force redesigns and compress study gate timelines.
- Monitoring data sits in silos without clear TARPs to trigger action.
- Generic support and conservative assumptions raise cost or miss key risks.
- Pore pressures aren’t integrated into acceptance criteria, increasing slope risk.
Services consultants offer
Slope and pit design support
- Kinematic and probabilistic stability assessments; limit equilibrium and numerical modelling (FLAC, RS2, 3DEC where needed)
- Inter‑ramp and bench design geometry, catch capacity, dilation/back‑break reconciliation
- Depressurisation strategy aligned to structure and pore pressure targets
Underground geotechnical engineering
- Ground support design/optimisation (Q, Mathews, yielding elements for squeeze ground)
- Intersection and sill pillar stability, extraction sequence constraints
- Seismic hazard assessment and exclusion zones
Hydrogeology interface
- Piezometer network layout, pressure trend interpretation
- Link pore pressure reduction to slope FOS uplift and monitoring thresholds
TSF and waste landform geotechnics
- Starter/raise stability review, interface shear strength, liquefaction screening
- Closure stability, erosion susceptibility, drainage and cover thickness rationale
Monitoring integration
- Slope radar deployment, prism spacing, convergence/extensometer workflows
- Practical TARPs tied to measured deformation rates
Study and due diligence inputs
- Scoping/PFS/DFS design criteria, risk registers, acceptance notes, independent reviews
Operational coverage and advisory
- Short‑term site fill for geotech roles, wall inspections, ground support QA, incident investigation mentoring
Where consultants operate
Regions
- Pilbara
- Goldfields–Esperance
- Yilgarn
- Mid West
- Kimberley
- South West
- Peel
Commodities
- Iron ore
- Gold
- Nickel
- Lithium
- Critical minerals
Methods
- Large open pits
- Satellite pits
- Deep underground (SLS, bench stoping, room‑and‑pillar)
- Decline development
Delivery
- FIFO
- DIDO
- Perth‑based analysis with site campaigns
- Remote data review
Lifecycle
- Concept
- Scoping
- PFS
- DFS
- Execution
- Operations
- Care & Maintenance
- Closure
Representative outcomes
Pilbara multi‑phase cutback
Reconciliation of radar vectors against structural domains isolated a wedge release mechanism. Targeted depressurisation and revised berms limited over‑break while preserving ramp alignment.
Goldfields underground convergence
Convergence monitoring showed load shedding in existing bolts. Yielding support plus adjusted firing and paste fill sequence stabilised the drive with clear triggers.
Lithium saprolite wall post‑rain
Pore pressure sensitivity analysis and staged trim design enabled continuous access while instruments confirmed dissipation to target.
Who our consultants serve
- Technical Services Managers needing geotech inputs aligned to mine design iterations
- Study Managers requiring defensible design criteria and calc packs at each gate
- Geology and Geotech teams seeking surge capacity for mapping, monitoring, TARPs
- Owners’ teams requesting independent review before board/JV/lender milestones
- Mine Managers wanting operational controls tied to production windows
How engagement typically works
- Requirement definition: commodity, method, depth, structures, decision date
- Data provision: models, mapping, lab results, monitoring exports, design assumptions
- Scope confirmation: methods, acceptance criteria, deliverables, timeline, risks
- Execution: field acquisition (if needed), modelling/design, drafts and refinement
- Close‑out: drawings/support classes, TARP/risk updates, implementation notes