Some Recent Developments in the Surface Mining of Coal

Stability of highwalls in surface coal mines, western Powder Ridge Basin, Wyoming and Montana

“…In a recent survey of surface coal mining procedures, Breslin and Anderson (1974) noted that very few mining companies utilized engineering design for their highwalls or monitored deformation. The same authors called attention to the marginal stability of many highwalls, and they noted that "members of the team were often cautioned not to approach the base of the highwall too closely."…”