COMPUTER SIMULATION OF SAFETY FACTORS USING GEOTECHNICAL PARAMETERS FOR TAR SAND QUARRYING AT LODA VILLAGE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA.

A PROJECT SEMINAR PRESENTED By

BASSAGI, MOPA
95/041516 A SPECIAL PROJECT SEMINAR PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE (M.Sc.) IN GEOLOGY (HYDROGEOLOGY AND ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OPTION).

OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

Statement of the problem and objectives. Justification for the Research. Aims of the Research. Geology of Dahomey Basin. Previous works. Location of the study area Field work. Laboratory work. Computer Simulation.

METHODOLOGY

RESULTS OBTAINED AND INTERPRETATION DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM AND OBJECTIVES Large deposit of tar sand occurs in Southwestern Nigeria along an East west belt and span over 120km long from Ijebu Ife in Ogun State, across Ondo State to the margin of Edo State. Tar sand is the natural resource from which bitumen is extracted while, Sulphur, Phenol, Ammonia, Nickel and Niobium are obtained as by products when it is processed. Bitumen is useful for road construction, while its by products are useful as base stock materials for petrochemical production. The production of synthetic crude is another important use of tar sand (or oil sand). The open pit mining method is utilized in mining oil sand or tar sand. Before excavation or mining takes place in any mine the stability of slopes created in the course of mining must be ensured by the use of stable slope angles. These slope angles are obtained after series of calculations. The angles of inclination of the slope depend on the properties of the formation into which the slope is cut. However, if correct slope angles are not used, the risk of slope failure occurring increases within the mine. Slope failure can lead to loss of lives and earth moving equipment (if no solution is proffered) thus reducing the productivity of the Mine. Therefore it is necessary to calculate the slope angles at which the lithologies overlying the tar sand deposit of Southwestern Nigeria can be mined. This study will do this, using Loda village, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria as a case study.

INTRODUCTION (contd.):

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE RESEARCH

The mining of tar sand just like any other natural resource is capital intensive. The fact that tar sand has to be processed after it has been mined makes its more expensive than some other minerals. Due to this fact, necessary mine design methods and procedures must not be sacrificed if profit is to be made. Billions of Naira would be invested when large-scale mining of tar sand commences in Nigeria, therefore chances must not be taken with standard pre-mining procedures. However, due to the economic importance of tar sands in obtaining bitumen (as material for road construction), synthetic crude and other chemicals (used for production of petrochemicals), it is reasonable to ensure that the slopes cut into the formation overlying the tar sand deposit are stable. One of the important ways of ensuring that the slope are stable is by simulating the various slope angles that would be cut into the formation and calculating the factor of safety values at each of these angles. This would help to know the angle or angles at which slopes cut into the formation are stable. When stable slope angles are used, the risk of slope failure in the mine is reduced and production in the mine can be optimized for huge economic gain.

INTRODUCTION (contd.)

AIMS OF THE THESIS.

a. b.

c.

d.

To carry out a field study of the tar bearing sediments in Loda village, Southwestern Nigeria. Sampling of tar bearing sediments and other lithologies associated with the tar sand deposit in Loda village, Ondo state, Southwestern Nigeria. To carry out geotechnical tests on samples taken from the study area that would help to establish the soil strength parameters necessary for slope stability analysis. To relate geotechnical parameters obtained to mining operations especially as it concerns open pit mining of tar sand and the slope design necessary for optimization of future mining operations, using Loda village as case study

INTRODUCTION (contd.) GEOLOGY OF DAHOMEY BASIN

The Dahomey Basin, located in West Africa, runs parallel to the coastal margins of Ghana, Togo, the Republic of Benin and Southwestern Nigeria

Figure 1 Sketch map of Africa showing the location of Dahomey Basin B. Generalized Geological map of Dahomey Basin (Adapted from Bankole et al, 2006).

INTRODUCTION (contd.)
B A

Study Area

Figure 2. Map of Nigeria showing the Dahomey Basin (Adapted from

Bankole et al, 2006)..

INTRODUCTION (contd.)

Table 1: Stratigraphic setting of the Dahomey Basin, Southwestern Nigeria (Modified form Idowu et al, 1993)

INTRODUCTION (contd.) LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA.

The study area is Loda Village, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria. The study area exists within the Dahomey Basin of Southwestern Nigeria (Figure 5). It is within the 120km long and 5 6km wide belt of tar sand outcrop, which trends approximately East-West from Ogun State, through Ondo State to parts of Edo State (formerly called Bendel State) (Adelu and Fayose, 1991). The study area, Loda Village, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria is located on Longitude 4o55'E and Latitude 6o40'N (Figures 6a and b). Tar sand seepages are observed within the study area
40E 80E 120E

120N

90N
Abuja

Lagos

Loda

Akure

30N

Study Area Phanerozoic Sediments Cretaceous Recent Sediment Pre-Cambrian basement Complex 0 300Km

Figure 3: Map of Nigeria showing the study area, Loda Village, Ondo State Southwestern, Nigeria ( Modified from Kogbe, 1989)

INTRODUCTION (contd.)

Figure 4. Geological and Minerals Map of Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria (Adapted from the Geological Agency of Nigeria Digital Map, 2005).

INTRODUCTION (contd.)
70 00 40 40 50 00 70 00

60 40 40 40

3Km

60 40 0 5 00

Fig 5. An enlarged version of the Geological and Minerals Map of Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria Showing Loda Village, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria (modified from The Geological Survey Agency of Nigeria Digital Map of Ondo state, 2005)

METHODOLOGY: FIELD WORK Field work took place in the month of April, 2005. The Field work involved examination of the various sediments associated with the tar sand deposit located within Loda village, Ondo state, Southwestern Nigeria. A road cut (Ore to Ode-Irele road) was examined at three different points, measurements and samples were also taken a these different points. Soil profiles were also drawn for these three locations. A total of nine samples were obtained from the three different points across the road cut.

METHODOLOGY( Contd.)

Figure 6: Picture of the road cut exposed at Loda Village, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria

METHODOLOGY( Contd.)

Figures 7(A C): Profile of Various Soil types associated with the tar sand deposit and sampled at three different points Location 1(LD 1), Location 2 (LD 2) and Location 3 (LD 3).

0 2.44m
METHODOLOGY( Contd.)

Laterite

Loose sand
32.61m
Figure 8: Diagram of Core-log drilled at Loda Village, Southwestern Nigeria. (Bitumen Project Implementation Committee Report, 2002)

METHODOLOGY( Contd.)
LABORATORY WORK GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS. DRY DENSITY DETERMINATION. DIRECT SHEAR TEST. COMPUTER SIMULATION DRAWING SLOPE PROFILE ENTERING STRENGTH PARAMETERS PIEZOMETRIC LINE SIMULATION OF FAILURE MODE FACTOR OF SAFETY IS CALCULATED BY SLOPE/W SOFTWARE

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION

100

90

80

70

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 2: Proportion of particle sizes present in each of the 9 samples analysed (as obtained from each of the grain size analysis graphs).
Sample Coarse Fine Medium Coarse No (silt (%) sand (%) sand (%) sand (%) LD1A LD1B LD1C LD2A LD2B LD2C LD3A LD3B LD3C 5 30 30 5 20 50 5 30 15 90 60 40 90 70 30 90 60 20 5 5 15 5 5 35 5 5 40 Fine gravel (%) 5 15 5 30 5 20

Medium gravel (%) 5

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 3: Coefficients of permeability for the 9 samples analysed, using Hazens formula Permeability values Sample obtained from Hazens Label formula(m/s) LD1A LD1B LD1C LD2A LD2B LD2C LD3A LD3B LD3C 6.76 x 10-4 1.01 x 10-3 1.96 x 10-4 2.94 x 10-4 4.84 x 10-4 - 7.26 x 10-4 6.25 x 10-4 9.375 x 10-4 1.96 x 10-4 2.94 x 10-4 3.24 x 10-4 4.86 x 10-4 1.96 x 10-4 2.94 x 10-4 1.94 x 10-4 2.94 x 10-4 3.24 x 10-4 4.86 x 10-4 Equivalent values in (cm/s) 6.76 x 10-2 1.01 x 10-1 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 4.84 x 10-2 7.26 x 10-2 6.25 x 10-4 9.375 x 10-2 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 3.24 x 10-2 4.86 x 10-2 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 1.94 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 3.24 x 10-2 4.86 x 10-2

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 4: Classification of permeability (from Lambe, 1951)

soil

Permeability (cm/s) >10-1 10-1 10-3 10-3 10-5 10-5 10-7 <10-7

Degree of permeability High Medium Low Very low Impermeable

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 5: Comparison between permeability values obtained for each of the samples from the study area with Lambes (1951) classification indicating their degree of permeability. Sample Range of Permeability Degree of Permeability No values obtained (Based on Lambes (cm/s) (1951) Classification) LD1A LD1B LD1C LD2A LD2B LD2C LD3A LD3B LD3C 6.76 x 10-2 1.01 x 10-1 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 4.84 x 10-2 - 7.26 x 10-2 6.25 x 10-4 9.375 x 10-2 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 3.24 x 10-2 4.86 x 10-2 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 1.96 x 10-2 2.94 x 10-2 3.24 x 10-2 4.86 x 10-2 Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.) DRY DENSITY RESULTS

Table 6: Dry Density values of 9 samples obtained from Loda Village, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria with their corresponding, calculated unit weight values. Sample Dry Density Values No (mg/cm3) LD1A LD1B LD1C LD2A LD2B LD2C LD3A LD3B LD3C 1.77 1.82 2.62 1.85 1.88 2.56 1.89 1.90 2.54

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

DIRECT SHEAR TEST RESULTS

600
Figure 11: Graph of Shear Stress (kPa) versus Normal Stress (kPa) for Direct Shear test carried out on sample LD 1A

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

600 c = 40 kPa O = 41 500

Shear Stress (KPa)

400

300

200 100

0 0 100 200 300 Strain (%) 400 500 600

Figure 12: Graph of Shear Stress (kPa) versus Normal Stress (kPa) for Direct Shear test carried out

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 7: Table showing the summary of data used for the Slope Simulation using the SLOPE/W computer program.

Average unit weight values (kN/m3)

Average Average cohesion angle of values (kPa) internal friction values

{In ()} degrees

Layer 1 laterite Layer 2 Alluvium (loose sand)

25 18

45 0

41 34

0 RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION 4 m (Contd.)

1 m

Figure

13: Diagram showing a pass at slope angle determination and how excavation might occur for an open pit mine using Loda Village southwestern Nigeria as a case study.

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

COMPUTER SIMULATION FOR VARIOUS SLOPE ANGLES USING THE SLOPE/W SOFTWARE FOR A 10-METRE BENCH WIDTH AND 6-METRE BENCH HEIGHT.
3 .3 6 4 34 3 1 6 32 30 11 28 26 24 4

12 8 9

Depth (m)

22 20 18 16

2
14 12 10 8 6 4 2 7 0 0 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

X-Sectional (m)

Figure 14: Simulation of 100 slope angles to determine the corresponding factors of safety values for different

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

1 .8 2 1 34 32 30 28 26 24

Depth (m)

22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Figure 15: Simulation of 300 slope angles to determine the corresponding factors of safety values for different ground water levels.

X -S e c tio n a l L e n g th (m )

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

1.099 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Depth (m)

X-Sectional Length (m)

Figure 16: Simulation of 900 slope angles to determine the corresponding factors of safety values for

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

COMPUTER SIMULATION FOR VARIOUS SLOPE ANGLES USING THE SLOPE/W SOFTWARE FOR A 20-METRE BENCH WIDTH AND 6-METRE BENCH HEIGHT DESIGN
4.203 2 6 8 9

Depth (m)

4 1 3 32 28 24 20 16 12 8 4 7 0 0

10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

X-Sectional Length (m)

Figure 17: Simulation of 100 slope angles to determine the corresponding factors of safety values for different ground water levels.

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

2.160 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Depth (m)

X-Sectional Length (m )

Figure 18: Simulation of 300 slope angles to determine the corresponding factors of safety values for different ground water levels.

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

35 1.099

30

25

Figure 19: Simulation of 900 slope angles to determine the corresponding factors of safety values for different ground water levels.

Depth (m)

20

15

10

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

X-Sectional Length (m)

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 8: Table showing the factor of safety values obtained from computer simulation using different slope angles for a bench width of 10 metres and bench height of 6 metres cut into the two layers overlying the tar sand deposit at Loda Village, Southwestern Nigeria.
SLOPE ANGLE (IN DEGREES) MORGENSTERN-PRICE METHOD OF ANALYSIS

1m Piezometric level

4m Piezometric Very deep Piezometric level level (O metre )

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

3.37 2.03 1.56 1.35 1.18 1.05 0.79 0.65 0.35

3.91 2.26 1.61 1.39 1.37 1.24 1.22 1.07 1.02

4.20 2.44 1.82 1.58 1.51 1.35 1.25 1.15 1.09

RESULTS OBTAINED AND THE INTERPRETATION (Contd.)

Table 9: Table showing the factor of safety values obtained from computer
simulation using different slope angles for a bench width of 20metres and bench width of 6metres cut into the two layers overlying the tar sand deposit at Loda Village, Southwestern Nigeria.

SLOPE ANG

RECOMMENDATION

RECOMMENDATIONS
For a proposed open pit (strip) mine at Loda Village, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, the following measures must be put in place to guard against slope instability. 1.Installation of piezometers in investigative boreholes to measure the water pressure constantly. A rise in water pressure would indicate that heavy equipment may have to be moved off the benches and heavy submersible pumps used, to lower the level of the water table. 2.Benches must be surveyed regularly to see if small movements are taking place. 3.The use of state-of-the art monitoring equipment like extensometers is suggested. 4.Digging of wide perimeter trenches would go a long way in providing a good drainage network for the flow of surface water from rain fall and ground water in the proposed mine.

CONCLUSION
In the design of a typical open pit, increasing the slope angle decreases the stripping and/or increases the recoverable ore. However, increasing the slope angle decreases the stability of the slope. Because of the variability of geologic structure, soil and rock properties, there is not a unique angle below which there is no slope instability and above which massive failure occurs. An attempt has been made in designing the range of slope angles safe for excavating the lithologic units overlying the shallow tar sand occurrences at Loda Village Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria. The tar sand deposits at Loda Village which is part of the X- horizon mentioned by other authors is part of the enormous tar sand deposit in the Dahomey Basin, Southwestern Nigeria. However, bench face angles less than 300 with controlled groundwater conditions would go a long way in ensuring safe slopes with minimum instability thereby optimizing the operations of the proposed open cast (strip) mine for maximum economic gain.