Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)

P. I. Afanasev, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor, Afanasev_PI@pers.spmi.ru
M.-S. Yasmani, Associate Professor

This study proposes a comprehensive approach for the analysis and assurance of slope stability at the iron-nickel deposits in the Moa region (Cuba), developed specifically for the conditions of metamorphic rock masses. The proposed approach is based on the integration of limit equilibrium methods (Morgenstern – Price) and elastoplastic modeling using the Phase² software. A key element of the methodology is the application of the modified Hoek – Brown failure criterion, utilizing the Geological Strength Index (GSI), which enables the description of the nonlinear behavior and scale effect of the disturbed rock mass. The work established that the choice of the calculation method critically impacts the results, revealing a significant variation in the safety factor (from 1.86 to 2.20 under static conditions). It was also determined that seismic impact can reduce the safety factor to values below 1.0. The proposed methods contribute to quarry design practice by providing justified recommendations for the application of numerical models at various design stages. The developed comprehensive approach allows not only for the determination of the safety factor but also for the visualization of the failure mechanism and the mapping of deformation and stress fields, which is essential for creating stable slopes in the challenging conditions of the Caribbean region.

1. Bazhin V. Yu., Fernandez P. Al., Slobodin V. A. Application of motor scrap in the production of aluminum-alloy ingots with thixotropic structure (under the conditions of the Republic of Cuba). Metallurgist. 2025. Vol. 69, No. 6. pp. 905–913.
2. Kruk M. N., Millán A. P., Batista Y. T. Evaluation of the Efficiency of Implementation of the Sustainable Development Program at Nickel-Cobalt Ore Mining Enterprises. Sustainability. 2025. Vol. 17, Iss. 21. ID 9441.
3. Mazurov B. T., Mustafin M. G., Panzhin A. A. Estimation method for vector field divergence of earth crust deformations in the process of mineral deposits development. Journal of Mining Institute. 2019. Vol. 238. pp. 376–382.
4. Volohov E. M., Kozhukharova V. K., Britvin I. A., Savkov B. M., Zherlygina E. S. Assessment of impact of mining operations on surface infrastructure. MIAB. 2023. No. 8. pp. 72–93.
5. Fomin S. I., Lelen A., Govorov A. S. Project decisions reliability assessment of definition opencast mining parameters and indicators. Marksheyderiya i nedropolzovanie. 2024. No. 5(133). pp. 60–66.
6. Fernández J. A. C., Rodríguez R., Linares R. Interfaz agua-aire en los suelos lateríticos de la región de Moa, Holguín. Cuba. III Congreso Cubano de Ciencias de la Tierra. La Habana, 2009. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4685.3281
7. Valdés-Mariño Y., Muñoz-Gómez J. N., Orozco-Melgar G. A., Blanco-Quintero I. F., Pérez-García L. A. et al. Petrologic-geochemical characterization of ultramafic association in Camarioca Sur area of Moa-Baracoa ophiolite complex. Minería y Geología. 2019. Vol. 35, No. 4. pp. 384–399.
8. Gospodarikov A. P., Revin I. E., Morozov K. V. Composite model of seismic monitoring data analysis during mining operations on the example of the Kukisvumchorrskoye deposit of AO Apatit. Journal of Mining Institute. 2023. Vol. 262. pp. 571–580.
9. Fomin S. I., Ovsyannikov M. P. Substantiation of the optimal performance parameters for a quarry during the stage-wise development of steeply dipping ore deposits. Journal of Mining Institute. 2026. Vol. 277. pp. 157–166.
10. Pavlovich A. A., Korshunov V. A., Bazhukov A. A., Melnikov N. Ya. Estimation of rock mass strength in open-pit mining. Journal of Mining Institute. 2019. Vol. 239. pp. 502–509.
11. Rodríguez-Infante A. Estilo tectónico y geodinámica de la región de Moa. Minería y Geología. 1998. Vol. 15, No. 2. pp. 37–41.
12. Pospehov G. B., Savón Y., Delgado R., Castellanos E. A., Peña A. Inventory of landslides triggered by hurricane matthews in Guantánamo, Cuba. Geography, Environment, Sustainability. 2023. Vol. 16, No. 1. pp. 55–63.
13. Gabibov F. G., Zeynalov A. Z. Stability analysis of homogeneous clay slopes under uniformly distributed loads on localized areas. Fundamental and Applied Issues in Modern Soil Science. Sergeev readings : Materials of annual session of Science council of Russian Academy of Sciences on the problems of geoecology, engineering geology and hydrogeology. Moscow : Geoinfo, 2022. No. 23. pp. 251–256.
14. Serrano D. H. G. Metodología aplicada al análisis geotécnico y evaluación de la estabilidad de taludes mediante SIG en entornos mineros. Revista Científica de Salud y Desarrollo Humano. 2025. Vol. 6, No. 4. pp. 797–829.
15. Saldívar A. B. R., Fernández J. A. C. Caracterización geotécnica del perfil de los suelos lateríticos, Moa, Cuba. Boletín Geológico y Minero. 2021. Vol. 132, No. 4. pp. 523–538.
16. Zhang J. State of art and trends of rock slope stability with soft interlayer. Journal of Engineering Geology. 2020. Vol. 28, No. 3. pp. 626–638.
17. Kanda M. J., Stacey T. R. The influence of various factors on the results of stability analysis of rock slopes and on the evaluation of risk. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. 2016. Vol. 116, No. 11. pp. 1075–1081.
18. Afanasev P. I., Medina S. Ya., Savon V. Yu., Kartayya P. M., Garcia de la Cruz M. I. The analysis of slope stability of the mining road of the Camarioca Este deposit of the Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara Company. Bezopasnost Truda v Promyshlennosti. 2024. No. 4. pp. 78–84.
19. Kazantseva V. V., Ozhigin D. S., Kosarev N. S., Satbergenova A. K., Ozhigina S. B. Development of complex system of geotechnical monitoring of technogenic objects based on geospatial data. Journal of Mining Institute. 2025. Vol. 276-1. pp. 142–156.
20. Cobiella Reguera J. L. An Overview to the Tectonics of Cuba. Geology of Cuba. Series: Regional Geology Reviews. Cham : Springer, 2021. pp. 189–218.
21. Batista Samé Y. Percepción del riesgo sísmico del sector este del municipio de Moa : Trabajo de Diploma. Moa, 2019. 145 p.
22. Safiullin R. N., Prisyazhnyuk M. S., Parra A. Z., Safiullin R. R., Ungefuk А. А. An integrated approach designing an automated processing system for Big Data on the haulage by transport vehicles. Gornaya Promyshlennost. 2025. No. 4. pp. 122–129.
23. Yodsomjai W., Keawsawasvong S., Likitlersuang S. Stability of Unsupported Conical Slopes in Hoek-Brown Rock Masses. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology. 2021. Vol. 8, Iss. 2. pp. 279–295.
24. Vystrchil M. G., Mukminova D. Z., Baltyzhakova T. I., Paramonov V. G., Valkovа E. O. Analysis of deformation processes by survey data of laser scanning and photogrammetry. MIAB. 2025. No. 2. pp. 78–98.
25. Rivas E. Y., Vyacheslavov A., Gogolinskiy K. V., Sapozhnikova K., Taymanov R. Deformation Monitoring Systems for Hydroturbine Head-Cover Fastening Bolts in Hydroelectric Power Plants. Sensors. 2025. Vol. 25, Iss. 8. ID 2548.