Comparison of Bishop and Janbu Methods for Stability Assessment of Four Tailings Dams in Caravelí, Arequipa, Peru

Abstract

Tailings dam stability is a critical aspect of mining safety, as structural failures can cause severe environmental and socioeconomic impacts. This study compares the Bishop and Janbu methods for assessing the stability of four tailings dams in the province of Caravelí, Arequipa (Peru), using SLIDE software. The objective is to determine which of these methods provides more precise and reliable safety factors (FS) under different geotechnical and environmental conditions. To achieve this, site-specific data were collected, the dams were modeled, and both methods were applied under static and pseudo-static loading scenarios. The results reveal significant differences in the sensitivity of the calculated FS values. The Bishop method, which considers moment equilibrium, tends to be more conservative, yielding higher FS values. In contrast, the Janbu method, based on force equilibrium, is more flexible and better accounts for variations in soil properties. The choice of method should be based on site conditions and project requirements, considering soil saturation, seismic loads, and material heterogeneity. This comparative analysis enhances the design and management of tailings dams, optimizing structural safety and ensuring the sustainability of mining operations in Caraveli.