A STATISTICAL-METHOD TO STUDY THE VARIABILITY IN STRENGTH PARAMETERS IN AN OPEN-PIT

A method is introduced to determine the homogeneity/heterogeneity of s lope material at different locations and depths of an open pit mine. I n this method, it is ascertained that geotechnical strength parameters are significantly variable or not, using a two-way analysis of varian ce technique. This study is important during the division of a mine in to different statistically homogeneous design sectors and the selectio n of a suitable method for stability analysis. This technique was succ essfully used during the stability analysis of a copper open pit mine.