Recent operating experience from West Australian open pit gold mines has shown that geotechnical input into initial design is rare. As a result, ground stability is poor - almost half the pits designed in this way suffer major failure._x000D_
West Australian experience shows that geotechnical studies for individual mines are site specific, and therefore empirical experience cannot be transported from site to site. Geotechnical studies performed prior to design have resulted in significantly improved pit stability.