The MSR (Movement and Surveying Radar) 200 scans the selected open-pit wall on a continuous basis to detect movement in the rock surface. The system will generate slope-stability alarms once a predetermined threshold in movement and/or acceleration is detected. The MSR provides real-time 100% coverage without the need to install any reflectors on the mine surface. According to the supplier, the MSR 200 includes the latest radar technology available and has extremely high levels of reliability.

A further advantage of the MSR 200 is that it provides fully geo-referenced surveying information, allowing areas that are normally not accessible to be surveyed.

The radar was supplied by Reutech Radar Systems (Pty) Ltd, (RRS). The company specializes in development of precision search and tracking systems for both military and high tech commercial applications. According to Jan de Beer, RRS business manager–mining, the current system is the first fully commissioned on Australian soil but there are more on order that will be delivered shortly.

Peter Booth, Sunrise Dam open-pit manager, said, “The introduction of realtime radar slope monitoring to open-pit operations in recent years has been a major advance in managing geotechnical risk. The MSR 200 complements the existing slope stability risk management system by giving us the ability to focus on specific areas of the pit walls in much more detail than is possible using any other method of monitoring.

Sunrise Dam Gold mine is owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti and produces over 580,000 oz/y Au. RRS has been involved in the mining industry for the past four years. MSR products are currently used in Africa, South America and now in Australia.