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This paper presents the studies and the findings of various cases encountered during the development of slope failure detection methods at the lignite mines of Ptolemais and Megalopolis, Greece. The type of failure is a compound one consisting of a nearly horizontal surface and a curved one at the back. The most important factor for the stability is the shear strength available in the planar part of the failure surface, which shows that a progressive failure is taking place.The investigations revealed that the development of a failure surface was from the toe to the crest and, therefore, impending slope failures can be detected and analysed long before any crack formation at the slope crest becomes visible. In addition, there are simple tools for failure monitoring that can be easily incorporated in the mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The base-metal sector of the high-sulphidation epithermal deposit of Kirki (St Philippe) was occasionally mined during the period 1973–1998, without strict environmental management. The mineralisation shows a significant content of polluting elements. Mineralogical investigations indicate a very low degree of sulphide alteration. Sphalerite and galena concentrates were produced by conventional flotation techniques. Mine excavation wastes and flotation tailings were dumped and exposed to weathering. Waters draining downstream of the mine waste dump are near neutral. Acid mine waters forming a pit lake are highly polluted. Evapoconcentration of the pit lake waters leads to the generation of a toxic mineral precipitate on the open pit floor, comprising soluble secondary salts. The paper concludes with a consideration of the remedial measures required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]