Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd is currently developing the
'Super Pit' gold mine in the mining area known as the Golden Mile
adjacent to the city of KalgoorlieBoulder, Western Australia. The
presence of numerous abandoned mine workings and complex structural
geology has required considerable geotechnical input into the
determination of the optimum pit slope geometries for both interim and
ultimate pit slopes. Slope design is based on detailed site investigation
and stability analysis which is balanced with historical operational
experience. This paper discusses the process of determining the optimum pit slope
angles for each of the stages of the west wall of the 'Super Pit'. The risks
associated with slope instability are discussed for each stage.