The work supported an active northern Canadian mine after a significant schist wall failure threatened safe operarions. GRW’s remediation helped stabilize the open-pit wall, manage high-angle access and rescue requirements, and return the mine to full production in extreme Arctic winter conditions.
Confidential active mine owner/operator.
Northern Canada, approximately 100 km south of the Arctic Circle, at a remote active open mine.
After a significant schist wall failure at an active northern Canadien open mine, GRW assessed the site, planned remediation, and execute scaling, rock stabilization, and bolted mesh barrier installation roughly 60m above the pit floor. The work reduced reduced high-wall risk and helped the mine return to full production quickly.
Work took place in -40°C winter conditions, 100 km south of the Arctic Circle, on 90° open-pit mine faces. GRW also modified equipment so diesel compressors and pneumatic drill platforms could keep working in the extreme cold.
Extreme cold, remote access, active mining operations, vertical pit faces, freezing diesel/pneummatic equipment, and urgent production pressure. GRW addressed these through specialized winter preperation, equipment modifications, rope-access work methods, check scalingm and a site-specific access, safety, and rescue program.
Initial site assessment, rock stability work, check scaling, drilling, bolt installation, bolted mesh barrier installation, twin-rope access, access, safety, and rescue planning.
GRW first assessed terrain, risks, and project requirements, then built a remediation plan with facility project managers. Crews completed check scaling before drilling, followed by bolt and mesh instilation. Twin-rope access techniques and a dedicated access, safety, and rescue program supported work roughly 60 m above the pit floor.
Bencher drill equipment, DTH drill equipment, Marini down-the-hole drill, diesel compressors, pneumatic drill platforms, bolted mesh barrier materials, rope-access systems, site-specific cold-weather equipment modifications.
The case study notes modern twin-rope access techniques, check scaling before drilling, and specialized equipment modifications to maintain drilling performance during safe weather windows.
GRW responded by rapidly assesing the failed high-wall area, planning the remediation with facility managers, preparing crews and equipment for Arctic winter work, modifying drilling equipment agaisnt freezing, and sequencing check scaling, drilling, bolting and mesh installation during safe weather window. GRW completed the high-wall remedation, allowing the mine to return to full production in the shortest time possible. Public schedule and budget details are not specified. No project-specific incident numbers are publicly stated. The case study emphasizes safety planning through a site-specific access, safety, and rescue program and modern twin-rope access techniques.
GRW responded by rapidly assesing the failed high-wall area, planning the remediation with facility managers, preparing crews and equipment for Arctic winter work, modifying drilling equipment agaisnt freezing, and sequencing check scaling, drilling, bolting and mesh installation during safe weather window. GRW completed the high-wall remedation, allowing the mine to return to full production in the shortest time possible. Public schedule and budget details are not specified. No project-specific incident numbers are publicly stated. The case study emphasizes safety planning through a site-specific access, safety, and rescue program and modern twin-rope access techniques.
The owner regained safer access to full mine production after a significant schist wall failure. GRW reduced high-wall risk while working in extreme winter conditions without overstating public details on schedule or budget. The project protected workers and mine operations by remediating and failed high wall in a remote environment. It’s public value is tied to safer industrial operations, risk reduction, and specialized execution in conditions where standard access and equipment would be difficult.
This project reflects GRW’s focus on risk, difficult-access geohazard work: rapid assessemebt, practical feild planning, rope-access execution, safety-first sequencing, and specialized equipment adaptation in extreme enviroments.
Canada’s highest-altitude mountain hut; stone refuge originally built in 1922 by Swiss mountain guides using local quarried stone; later slope instability drove both the 2018 stabilization work and, eventually, the later dismantling decision.
When your project is high elevation, high risk, or both, you want the most experienced team on the job. Our seasoned technicians are ready to take on the most complex geohazard projects to keep your site and community safe.
