ABSTRACT: Underground stone mines in the United States generally use room-and-pillar mining method, and designing stable pillars, and knowing their behavior through the mine's life is of vital importance to avoid hazardous conditions. In the USA, empirical pillar strength equation and S-Pillar program developed by Esterhuizen et al., (2011) are used to assess the global stability of stone mines. This study shows the derivation of the empirical pillar strength equation to obtain the stress gradient equation as a function of pillar width-to-height ratio. This function provides the stress distribution within the pillar and it was used to derive concentric rings of zones to simulate stone mine pillar yielding in boundary element software. 1. Introduction In the US, the S-Pillar program was developed to assist in the design of stable pillars in underground stone mines (Esterhuizen et al, 2011). Esterhuizen et al. collected operational information and pillar performances from 34 different stone mines in the Eastern and Midwestern United States. They classified a total of 18 cases of individual pillars as failure and assessed each of the failed pillars visually. Modes of pillar instabilities were categorized as crushing or structure controlled failure. Esterhuizen et al. indicated that rib spalling and emergence of hourglass shape is the indicator of crushing failure, and they sub-characterized structure-controlled failures as: pillars intersected by large discontinuities and pillars with weak bedding planes. Roberts at al. (2007) developed empirical pillar design guidelines in lead mines of the Viburnum Trend in Southeastern Missouri from back-analysis of pillar damage with DDA variation of boundary element model. Later, Esterhuizen et al. (2011) used this empirical information to derive base strength equation used in S-Pillar. Roberts at al. (2007) simulated the strength of hard rock pillars with different rib and core cell elements to simulate effect of confinement on pillar strength. This approach is essentially the same approach used in LaModel to simulate coal pillar strength (Heasley et al., 2010). To numerically simulate a yield zone in LaModel, concentric rings of different materials are used against the openings and the material properties of the ribs are set such that the pillar yields from the rib inward. Essentially, LaModel can simulate any empirical strength equation with concentric material bands.

ABSTRACT: Gas wells drilled through coal seams may be influenced by underground coal mining, especially longwall mining. To evaluate the stability of gas wells in longwall chain pillars, NIOSH has developed numerical models to calculate longwall-induced ground pressure, subsurface movements, and stresses and deformations in gas well casings. In this study, FLAC3D modeling was used to model the test gas wells drilled in the chain pillars in a longwall mine under shallow depth. Site-specific geological and mining conditions were used to set up the models and compared the modeling results with the actual measurements of pillar pressure, surface subsidence, and casing deformations. The study shows that the developed model provides reasonably accurate prediction of longwall-induced stresses and deformations in both the overburden over chain pillars and the gas well casings. The study indicates that the longwall-induced horizontal movements are dependent on the depth of cover and overburden geology and concentrate along strong-to-weak rock interfaces. The study also shows that large horizontal displacements are more likely to occur under shallow cover with wet and inclined overburden strata, which may cause shear failure in gas well casings. This study demonstrates that gas well stability in longwall chain pillars can be effectively evaluated using FLAC3D modeling and field measurements. 1. Introduction Gas wells drilled through coal seams can have interaction with underground coal mining, especially longwall mining. Conventional gas wells have long been a problem if present in the vicinity of longwall panels, but they can be plugged if gas well pillars are considered insufficient. Many more safety concerns have been raised for unconventional shale gas wells in longwall coal pillars because gas well damage caused by longwall mining can allow high-pressure gas to leak into the mines potentially causing fire and explosions. In addition, shale gas wells are so costly that it is a huge financial loss if simply plugged. Over the past decade, over 1,500 shale gas wells have been drilled in the current and future reserves of the Pittsburgh coal seam. Influence of longwall mining on these shale gas wells will have to be addressed as future longwall panels are mined. Therefore, it is important to understand how longwall-induced subsurface movements and stresses affect gas well casings and to develop reliable models to assess the stability of shale gas wells.

ABSTRACT: The use of cemented hydraulic backfill in underground mines has gained momentum in many parts of the world. The effect of material composition on the hydraulic backfill material in South African gold mines has been determined through research. A high level of variation of backfill strength results was obtained from a deep-level gold mine in South Africa and factors causing this variation were determined. Factors such as tailings material properties, binder flow rate and curing affect the strength of backfill material. A strategy to maintain backfill strength consistency and improve backfill performance on the mine was developed. Possible solutions to the current operational constraints causing inconsistent backfill strength and quality control and monitoring procedures on the current backfill practice were developed. A new improved backfill strategy will help maintain consistency of the backfill quality at the plant and improve backfill performance underground. Improved backfill quality will ensure long-term stope stability, improve safety, and reduce backfill operational costs. 1. Introduction Backfill is an important component of underground mining operations and is a critical part of the mine design process. The increase in mining depth poses a need for improved ground control and maximum ore recovery which is essential in ensuring safe and economic mining (Kluge, 2011). The performance of backfill in deep-level mines is determined by its ability to support underground mining voids effectively and efficiently. The strength of the backfill placed underground can be affected by a wide range of factors that can be identified and controlled to maintain consistency of the strength achieved by the backfill material. Understanding the impact of factors affecting backfill strength can assist in optimising the backfill operation and save cost for the mine. Most underground mining environments have predominant stress conditions where compressive stresses exist. It is important to assess the behaviour of rock masses and backfill placed underground to ensure the stability of underground excavations (Masniyom, 2009). The strength of backfill placed in underground stopes must be sufficient to provide stability throughout the stope. This allows even distribution of stresses within the filled stope and maintains stope stability. The effectiveness of backfill as a support medium depends on inherent material properties and conditions of placement (Clark, 1988). To maintain consistency of backfill strength, these properties must be monitored and controlled during preparation, mixing and placement.

ABSTRACT: This paper summarizes the results of a unique study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) over the past four years to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations on shale gas well casing integrity and underground miner safety and health. Results from the NIOSH instrumentation sites are compared to the results from a previous study by the coal and gas industries, which clearly indicate that under shallow and medium covers, the measured horizontal displacements within the abutment pillar are one order of magnitude higher than those measured under deep cover. Effects of casing couplers are evaluated and indicate that the couplers may aggravate longwall-induced casing deformations if the longwall-induced deformations coincide with the coupler locations. Cementing alternatives are found to have significant impact on longwall-induced casing stresses and deformations. Detailed evaluations of the 1957 PADEP Gas Well Pillar Guidelines indicate that the regulation can be applied to longwall mining if the depth of cover is less than 228 meters. Preliminary engineering guidelines are proposed on longwall-induced deformations, casing and cementing alternatives, and gas well setback distances under chain pillar and barrier pillar scenarios. Introduction Due to a recent shale gas boom, approximately 1,500 unconventional shale gas wells have been drilled through active and future coal reserves in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio over the past 17 years. These shale gas wells have penetrated both current and future Pittsburgh Seam coal reserves. These unconventional gas wells, whether tapped into the Marcellus or Utica formations, contain very high gas pressure. Strata deformations associated with underground longwall coal mining could induce high stresses and deformations in the shale gas well casings, which in certain situations could compromise the mechanical integrity of the production, intermediate, and coal protection casings. Damaged well casings could potentially introduce high-pressure, high-volume explosive gas into underground mine workings to jeopardize underground miners' safety and health.

ABSTRACT: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) first developed the Analysis of Retreat Mining Pillar Stability (ARMPS) program to help the U.S. coal mining industry to design retreat room and pillar panels. Similar to other pillar design methodologies, ARMPS determines the adequacy of the design by comparing the estimated in situ and mining induced loads to the load bearing capacity of the pillars. ARMPS calculates magnitude of the in situ and mining induced loads by using geometrical computations and empirical rules. The program uses the “abutment angle” concept in calculating the magnitude of the mining induced loads on pillars adjacent to a gob. The value of the abutment angle for coal mines in the United States was derived by back analysis of field measurements, and ARMPS2010 engineering design criterion was derived from the statistical analysis of the databases of more than 640 retreat mining case histories from various U.S. coal mines. In this study, stress measurements from U.S. and Australian coal mines were back analyzed using the square decay stress distribution method, and the abutment angles are investigated. The results of the analyses indicated that for shallow mines with overburden depths of less than 200 m, empirical derivation of 21° abutment angle used in ARMPS2010 was supported by the case histories. However, at depths greater than 200 m, the abutment angle was found to be significantly less than 21°. A new equation employing the overburden depth to panel width ratio was constructed for the calculation of abutment angle for deep cover cases. Finally, the new abutment angle equation was tested using 336 deep cover cases from the ARMPS2010 database. The new abutment angle equation was found to perform a good classification compared to using 21°. It was also apparent that, for deep cover cases (deeper than 200 m), the barrier pillar stability factors were the governing parameters in classification of failed cases and the results can be considered an indicator for the importance of barrier pillars in deep cover retreat mines.

ABSTRACT: In order to assess the performance of radioactive waste repository in argillite, the investigation of gas migration properties is indispensable. In this work the pore space morphological model is generated through union of excursions of Gaussian random fields with respect to the experimental pore size distributions. Pore space characteristics are investigated through purely geometric analysis using morpho-mathematical operations. This paper firstly gives a brief review on the model generation and the simulation of gas breakthrough process in COx argillite, then focuses on the water imbibition process induced by the gas pressure reduction after breakthrough. Several important parameters such as the gas shut-off pressure, the imbibing water saturation and the residual gas saturation are numerically predicted.

ABSTRACT: The underground limestone mining industry has one of the highest fatality rates compared to all other types of mining in the United States (MSHA, 2016). Ground control issues heavily contribute to these fatalities. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, 2011), structurally controlled instability is a predominant failure mechanism in underground limestone mines. Existing analysis methods, such as the limit equilibrium method, do not represent the real structure and behavior of a rock mass in-situ. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) when coupled with representative Discrete Fracture Networks (DFN) has been proven to provide accurate models of the actual response of a rock mass undergoing excavation. However, considering the statistical nature of DFN's, multiple simulations need to be run in order to obtain statistically significant results of the model. The following paper introduces a stochastic approach for analyzing rock block falls in underground excavations. This approach utilizes DEM (Itasca's 3DEC) and DFN's representing virtually mapped discontinuities obtained from terrestrial laser scans. The numerical models were carried out considering rigid blocks. Failed blocks were defined as those blocks that had displaced more than 2 cm and presented velocities indicating that the block was still in movement. This approach allows engineers to define the probability of block failure based on the geometry and weight of failed blocks formed by the intersection of discontinuities in the section of interest, as well as to define kinematics of the blocks. Such information can provide mining operators control measures to evaluate, map and mitigate risks associated with rock falls in underground mines, ultimately improving safety in the underground limestone industry.

ABSTRACT: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting a monitoring program at the Pleasant Gap underground limestone mine in central Pennsylvania. This dipping mine is experiencing high horizontal stresses and is at a depth of over 400 m in the monitoring area. Part of this program includes using LiDAR measurements to assess the geotechnical condition of the rock mass and track movements of ground throughout the development of an instrumented pillar. A total of 79 LiDAR scans were collected from May 2017 through December 2018 that map the area surrounding an active development. The scans are particularly useful for establishing opening dimensions, mapping joint sets, and determining bedding spacing from breaks in the roof beam. Progressive damage has been shown on the ribs along the tall side of headings and on highly stressed pillar corners nearby active mining. Cutter roof formation is also prevalent in the monitored area, and the location and severity of this damage can be easily tracked. Most damage to the roof was observed after failure had occurred, but at two locations convergence was detected that has not yet resulted in failure. Convergence of the roof in excess of 5 cm is present in two intersections, one of which was also measured with a Miner's Helper, and appears to be correlated with adjacent development. The scanning program able to consistently and effectively track and measure a variety of displacements related to high stress and stress reorientation.

ABSTRACT: Rock salt formations are a common reservoir seal worldwide with excellent sealing capacity. Restoring the sealing capacity of rock salt caprocks penetrated by wells using the same rock salt as plugging material is therefore an attractive, safe and environmentally friendly option. The concept is based on the removal of a section of casing over a part of a formation consisting of rock salt and creation of a sealing well barrier (plug) by the creep of rock salt. Geomechanical numerical simulations were conducted to estimate wellbore closure times for a range of conditions representative of the Zechstein evaporites overlying Rotliegend reservoirs in the Northwestern Europe. Results showed that the salt creep largely depends on the salt properties, differential stress and in-situ temperature. Estimated closure times of a reamed interval, for the maximum underbalance, were in the range of a few weeks for a depth of 3100 m, a few months for a depth of 2500 m and a few years for a depth of 2000 m. Reamed intervals should be at least 10 m long to avoid slowing down the process of creep that occurred for shorter reamed intervals.

ABSTRACT: Rib falls are a major hazard in underground coal mines. Currently, rib control in coal mines in the United States is defined based on a trial-and-error approach. To eliminate fatalities caused by rib falls, researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are conducting a research project for developing an engineering-based rib design methodology. Numerical modeling of the fracture mechanism of coal ribs and the assessment of their stability are the cornerstones in this methodology. NIOSH recently developed a coal mass model to realistically simulate the deformation and loading behaviors of coal ribs. The reduction in the strength of the coal specimen as its size increases is considered by introducing a scale parameter called Coal Mass Scale (CMS). In this paper, a procedure to calculate the factor of safety (FOS) of coal ribs was proposed by using the strength reduction method (SRM). The key function of this procedure is that the strength of the coal material is reduced by increasing the CMS of the coal mass model. The proposed method was verified using a case study of surveyed coal rib in underground coal mine.

ABSTRACT: Flying automated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) missions has become commonplace in aboveground mining applications. In global positioning system- (GPS-) and radio frequency- (RF-) denied environments, such as underground mines, using UAVs has been limited to areas where an experienced pilot could maintain line of sight and successfully navigate hazards. RESPEC and AutoModality are working together to leverage technology advancements in mobile computing and remote sensing to create a fully autonomous UAV platform that can travel more than 1 mile through an underground mine and perform complex tasks, such recognizing defects in equipment or delivering a breathing apparatus to a miner in an emergency. Powered by artificial intelligence running on an advanced onboard mobile processor, the UAV collects data from light and detection ranging (LiDAR), infrared (IR), and visible light sensors and controls the UAV's movement based on a map of the mine and mission specifications that direct the UAV. The technology developed through this project, which is partially funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), will reduce personnel exposure to unsafe conditions and eliminate the need for expensive ground-support rehabilitation when attempting to identify and access problems in unmaintained, underground areas.

ABSTRACT: Ground falls represent a significant hazard in the nation's underground stone, sand, and gravel (SSG) mines. Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are currently conducting detailed investigations into the complex loading conditions at underground SSG mines operating in challenging conditions. This paper presents numerical modeling using FLAC3D of a detailed case study of the conditions encountered in a dipping underground limestone mine. To accomplish this, a preliminary model was updated to include sequential development of an instrumented pillar. Stress concentrations calculated by the model provide good agreement with the observed initiation and propagation of cutter roof and a location where roof displacement was observed and measured with laser scans. Finally, the inclusion of blast-by-blast development and simulation of bedding planes in the roof provides good correlation with areas of observed and measured roof displacement that occurred in the mine.

ABSTRACT: The Santo Niño ore body at Pinos Altos Mine has been in production since 2009 using both open pit and underground mining methods. Between 2015 and 2017 an extensive study was conducted to evaluate extraction of the crown pillar which remained between the open pit and underground mine workings. The project evaluation considered numerous factors influencing mine safety, operations and economics. This case study paper will describe the geomechanical aspects of the project evaluation and execution. 1. INTRODUCTION The Santo Niño ore body is one of several mineralized zones at Agnico-Eagle Mines’ Pinos Altos property. Pinos Altos is located in the state of Chihuahua in northwestern Mexico within the Sierra Madre mountain range (Fig. 1). Gold and silver production at Pinos Altos started in 2008 with the extraction from the Santo Niño and Oberon de Weber open pits. The Pinos Altos Complex produces over 2Mt per year from the main Santo Niño orebody and nearby satellites. Milling and heap leach are used to treat the underground and open pit ores. Underground mining was initiated simultaneously with the open pit production at the Santo Niño orebody with the first pyramid extending from Level 20 to Level 16 (Fig. 2). The mining strategy consisted of excavating and backfilling the upper most stopes up to Level 16 before the open pit reached its final depth. The recovery of the crown pillar between the pit bottom and Level 16 was not fully detailed in the initial mine planning. Following the technical and economic evaluations in 2015-2016, the crown pillar ounces between the pit bottom (elev. 2023 masl) and the top of the underground mining (elev 2000 masl) were incorporated into the Life of Mine Plan and contribute to the replacement of higher grade ore to the mill following depletion of the large Santo Niño open pit. Initial thoughts on crown pillar recovery focused on simply mining the open pit in the usual 7 m benches down to the top of backfill on Level 16. Open pit mining is less costly than underground extraction and geotechnical studies focusing on open pit slope stability indicated that deep slope instability was not expected with the removal of the crown pillar. Nonetheless, further analyses demonstrated that there were advantages to recovering the crown pillar from the underground; economic evaluations showed that resource recovery could be increased which made underground recovery more profitable (60% by open pit versus at least 85% from underground), slope deformations could be reduced hence the risk of localized slope instability was decreased and exposure of personnel in the pit ramp could be significantly reduced. A thorough risk analysis and review process was implemented by a team of key personnel from pit and underground operations, mine and corporate technical services, health and safety and mine management. The objectives of the exercise was to develop measures to control identified risks to personnel and machinery while optimizing the recovery of the reserves. This paper documents the geomechanical analyses and monitoring measures implemented to support the design and recovery of the high grade Santo Niño crown pillar.

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of a 2017 study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations within a longwall abutment pillar under deep cover. Results from this 2017 study were compared to the results from a similar study in 2014 that evaluated the same effects but under medium cover. The 2017 study was conducted in a southwestern Pennsylvania coal mine, which extracts 457-meter-wide longwall panels under 361 meters of cover. One 198- meter-deep, in-place inclinometer (IPI) monitoring well was drilled and installed over a 46-meter by 84-meter centers abutment pillar. In addition to the monitoring well, surface subsidence measurements and underground coal pillar pressure measurements were conducted as the 457-meter-wide longwall panel on the south side of the abutment pillar was being mined.

ABSTRACT: Sound pillar design and cutting practices maintain the integrity of mining operations. This paper evaluates pillar design and cutting practices in geotechnically poor ground conditions at one of the platinum mines along the Zimbabwean Great Dyke. Both numerical and empirical methods were used to analyse and improve the current system. The effects of overbreak together with pillar robbing have led to a decrease in safety factors of insitu pillars. Scaling of pillars and a decrease in actual safety factors gave an acute reflection that the current pillar design needs to be improved. The gathered results of regional pillars show that larger than design pillars were left to support potential fall zones resulting from persistent shallow north dipping structures. Pillar scaling was also influenced by the presence of geological structures. Undersized pillars and the existence of steeply dipping faults and sympathetic joints reduce pillar strength. The failed pillars are no longer contributing to the overall mine stability but provide local support due to the residual strength. New pillar design (7m by 4m) which takes into consideration the current structural data need to be implemented in a bid to improve safety. Staggering of pillars reduces the catastrophic consequences that may be spread over to the neighboring ends, hence causing pillar run. Numerical modelling softwares such as MAP3D and EXAMINE2D can be used for optimum pillar design as they show stress distributions as well as strength tension factors. The findings of this study can be adopted by other platinum mines within the same geological location since they are mining the same type of deposit using the same mining method.

ABSTRACT: Underhand cut-and-fill mining has allowed for safe extraction of ore in many mines operating in weak rock or highly stressed, rockburst prone ground conditions. However, design of safe backfill undercuts poses unique geotechnical challenges that must be addressed by these operations. Hecla Mining Company and the Spokane Mining Research Division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have worked collaboratively for several years to better understand the geomechanics of cemented paste backfill (CPB) and thereby improve safety in underhand stopes. This work has included a series of laboratory strength studies and an extensive in situ backfill instrumentation program to monitor long term stope closure and resulting stress in the backfill. The fill must be strong enough to resist flexural failures, but the large stope closures (5 to 10 cm) that occur during undercutting also require the fill to have significant residual strength in order to remain stable after the elastic strain limit has been exceeded. This paper provides an overview of underhand-cut-and-fill mining with CPB as practiced at the Lucky Friday Mine, the collaborative research that has been undertaken with emphasis on the instrumentation and monitoring program, and technical insight that has been gained through this work.

ABSTRACT: Mining ground support systems typically include rockbolts, wire-mesh, and shotcrete or fibercrete. The selection and installation sequence of these products is determined by operational needs and ground support requirements. Without quantifiable performance data, finding the proper balance can be a challenge. In this study, mechanical testing is used to measure the relative performance of different installation sequences of mesh, bolts, and shotcrete. 6×6-ft, 4-inch thick shotcrete panels bolted on a 4×4-ft pattern were constructed to represent different installation sequence options, and tested in a specially constructed test machine to measure the force-displacement response during 10 inches of deflection between the bolts. Afterwards, post-bolted macro-synthetic fiber reinforced shotcrete was tested for comparison with the wire-mesh alternatives. Low (5-lb/yd 3 ) and high (11-lb/yd 3 ) fiber content mixes were tested. Lastly, the influence of external mesh was measured. The results demonstrate the importance of shotcrete in the overall support system, the benefit of post-bolting, and provide a direct comparison between mesh and macro-synthetic fiber reinforcement. The test results are coupled with empirical shotcrete design guidelines to provide recommendations for selecting appropriate surface support based on ground conditions. The overall goal of this work is to help match the right support for the ground conditions, thereby improving the safety of underground workers.

ABSTRACT: Drawbacks of underground rock mechanics instruments (e.g. extensometers) are that they provide only a single measurement location, may not be installed in the area most likely to fail, and can be an obstruction within the mine. Alternatively, developing technology such as photogrammetry requires regular image collections and often time-consuming post processing to identify movement. Video technology provides an exciting opportunity to monitor for hazards across a large field of view. A real-time hazard recognition system for underground mines has been applied using a commercial, digital image correlation software that resolves displacement measurements of movements captured on video. The system can automate video collection and processing to export mine displacement measurements remotely. Preliminary tests have been performed at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), the former Homestake Gold Mine. Multiple cameras, each capable of monitoring a 100 m (350 ft) length of mine drift, have demonstrated a measurement resolution of 0.12 mm (0.005 in)-sufficient for correlating measured vibrations to periodic pumping intervals in a water pipe. The system was then deployed at an active potash mine in New Mexico where it recorded real-time displacement measurements of the roof movement and roof-to-floor room closure.

ABSTRACT: The catastrophic failure in coal mines, known as bumps, is one of the most challenging engineering problems associated with coal mining in highly stressed conditions. In this study, coal samples obtained from a Utah coal mine are investigated by conducting laboratory tests. However, the results of the unconfined compressive test do not agree with the strength models of the classical strength formula because the strengths at certain orientations of cleats appear much higher than the estimation by the classical solution. The influence of non-persistent cleats on coal strength is, thus, also investigated using a numerical modeling approach. The 3DEC models are developed to randomly generate cleats with various lengths that follow a given degree of persistence in the numerical model. The 3DEC simulation results successfully replicate the results of the laboratory test for the coal strength with non-persistent cleats. It is concluded from the study that cleat persistence significantly affects the overall anisotropic strength of coal.

ABSTRACT: Slope stability and maximum productivity are critical to the success of any open pit mine. To achieve a profitable balance of the two, the slope has to be steep enough to minimize waste stripping and gentle enough to ensure slope stability. One means to this end is careful interpretation of slope monitoring data. This paper presents a real life case study of a platinum open pit mine which had been plagued with slope stability challenges and how slope monitoring data interpretation techniques were used to restore and enhance stability. Through monitoring data analysis the investigation identified that the hangingwall of the North Pit of the mine showed progressive movement with maximum movement found to be 8.5 mm/day. This proved a hypothesis that there is a crack existing behind the slopes. Routine inspections of the mine were done with the purpose to identify geological structures, hazardous conditions and review the quality of the highwall. The conditions of the footwalls were found to be fairly good and it is recommended that the same mining technique carried out when blasting trim benches in the footwall need to be carried out in hangingwall. The implementation of new technology in slope monitoring manages to solve slope failure challenges, however there is also need to optimise costs such that the most effective less costly technologies are implemented. In this light, this study highlights the practical applicability of different slope monitoring technologies including GroundProbe Slope Stability Radar, IBIS radar systems and GeoMos.