As underground operations move deeper and face increasingly complex conditions, equipment development is focused on delivering faster, safer, and more consistent ground control. Meanwhile, advances in computer processing capabilities drive the application of newer methodologies for geotechnical analysis, such as numerical modeling and artificial intelligence applied to geotechnical analysis, design, and risk evaluation. Amid the push for innovation, however, “a proper understanding of the geotechnical principles and theory behind modern tools remains paramount for realistically assessing risk,” Diego Negrete, senior consultant (rock mechanics) at SRK Denver, told North American Mining.
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