In a dynamic environment such as the Star Mountains of Papua
New Guinea Geotechnical Engineering for the Ok Tedi Project
must be described as both interesting and challenging. To be
effective a reasonable sized team of dedicated people is required
with occasional supplementation by specialist consultants and an
annual review process. Ok Tedi Mining Limited's (OTML)
Geotechnical Section has a vision to be recognised as the leading
mine-based geotechnical engineering section in PNG and to be
world class by any international standards. This paper deals with the organisational and operational duties
of the Geotechnical Section at the Ok Tedi Mine. One of our
major roles is in the area of safety, and in particular in the early
warning of natural and mining induced geological hazards that
may affect safety and/or productivity. The major activities in- clude geotechnical inspections (pit, waste dumps, tunnels, re- gional), data collection activities and database management,
geotechnical design and control work.