Risk Management in Mining: Why Geotechnical Criteria Are the Foundation of Operational Safety

Mining is, by nature, a high-risk activity. It involves large volumes of materials, critical structures, and constantly changing environments. In this context, risk management cannot be an add-on to operational processes; it must be a structuring part of the enterprise's technical and organizational strategy.

Among the various types of risks faced by mining, geotechnical risks stand out for their potential direct impact on human lives, the environment, and the reputation of companies. And for effective risk management, clearly defining technical criteria is essential.

Geotechnical risk: far beyond visible instability

Risk is not synonymous with imminent failure. In geotechnical engineering, risk represents the probability of an adverse event occurring, coupled with the consequences that such an event may generate. This means that even a seemingly stable structure can pose a high risk if:

• High degree of uncertainty in design or monitoring parameters;
  
• Extreme or variable hydrological conditions;
  
• Poorly understood interaction with other structures;
  
• Catastrophic consequences in case of failure.
  

Therefore, identifying risks requires not only technical knowledge, but also clear and objective criteria that allow for the evaluation, classification, and prioritization of each scenario based on data rather than isolated perceptions.

Geotechnical risk criteria: basis for efficient management

The lack of standardized criteria remains a common bottleneck in geotechnical projects. Without a shared technical language, important decisions become dependent on individual expertise, hindering traceability and increasing the risk of miscommunication between teams.

The implementation of well-defined technical criteria allows:

• Establish minimum acceptable performance limits (e.g., safety factor, maximum displacements, piezometric levels);
  
• Apply recognized risk classification methodologies (such as risk matrices, Bow-Tie, FMEA);
  
• Integrate geotechnical risks into corporate risk management systems;
  
• Standardize action plans and response priorities in case of detected anomalies.
  

Risk culture starts with technical criteria

In high-risk environments like mining, a mature organizational culture regarding risk doesn't emerge solely through training or good intentions. It depends on structured assessment and response methods, and this begins with establishing technical criteria that support professional judgment.

These criteria must be built based on:

• In the history of the structure;
  
• In accumulated operational experience;
  
• In continuous monitoring data;
  
• In the integration between the areas of geotechnics, planning, operations and safety.
  

Governance and Accountability: The Strategic Role of EoR

The presence of an Engineer of Record (EoR) in critical structures reinforces the need for well-defined technical criteria. After all, the EoR's role requires a clear documentation base, consistent procedures, and reliable metrics to identify deviations and propose corrective measures. Without these, governance weakens, and organizational risk increases.

Furthermore, well-established criteria help companies respond more transparently to audits, inspections, and legal requirements—especially in an increasingly stringent regulatory environment that is sensitive to geotechnical failures.

Technical criteria as a sustainability tool

Risk management in mining should not be seen simply as a defense mechanism, but as a tool for generating value, enabling more assertive decisions, reduced exposure to liabilities, and greater stakeholder confidence.