Mine Rippability Assessment Services

PT Geo Labora Indonesia provides comprehensive mine rippability assessment services as an essential component of geotechnical investigations to ensure safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant mining operations. Rippability assessment is conducted to evaluate the ease with which rock materials can be excavated or ripped using mechanical equipment—such as bulldozer rippers or excavators—before blasting methods are considered.

This service supports the optimization of excavation equipment planning, productivity estimation, operational cost control, and selection of the most effective rock breakage method
Scope of Services

1. Field Data Collection and Geological Assessment

• Identification of lithology, weathering levels, and rock mass characteristics in the excavation area.
• Measurement of rock hardness using geotechnical tools (e.g., Schmidt Hammer).
• Observation of geological structures, discontinuities, and weakness zones.
• Measurement of existing slope geometry and site conditions

2. Rippability Measurement and Classification

• Evaluation of rippability based on:
  o Seismic wave velocity.
  o Degree of weathering.
  o Surface hardness values.
  o Frequency and orientation of fractures.
• Determination of rippability classes using international references such as the Rippability Chart and relevant geotechnical standards.

3. Rippability Classification

• ]The material is categorized into classes such as:
  o Highly rippable
  o Rippable
  o Marginally rippable
  o Non-rippable / Blasting required
• Classification is based on the integration of field data, geotechnical characterization, and seismic velocity analysis.

4. Technical Recommendations

• The assessment provides operational recommendations including:
  o Selection of appropriate ripping equipment (D8, D9, D10, D11 bulldozers or blasting)
  o Estimated ripping productivity and operational performance.
  o Identification of zones requiring blasting for improved efficiency.
  o Staged excavation and material removal planning

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