The mining of remnant coal reserves at the Liddell Open Cut is subject to
a number of risks. These risks are of both a technical and financial
nature. Liddell Open Cut is principally a conventional truck and shovel/loader
operation, supplemented by a highwall coal augering operation. There
are significant areas of divergence from more conventional operations
including working in close proximity to a major dam, working up dip
from an operating underground mine, and working through areas where
there has previously been underground extraction. In addition the site has
major long-term rehabilitation requirements. This paper, rather than concentrating on specific detail of areas of risk,
presents the spectrum of geological, design, operational and post-mining
risks that accrue to the various areas of activity in this open cut operation.
The balance of this paper then provides an outline of the strategies
employed by Liddell Coal to manage their potential impact.