The Mines Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Regulation 62(2)

SCHEDULE 2 Content of Geotechnical Assessments

Site Survey

1.  An accurate plan, which should be prepared on a scale not less detailed than 1:2500, showing—

(a) the boundaries of the mine or premises on which the mine or tip, or proposed mine or tip, is or is to be situated;

(b) the site of the mine or tip, or proposed mine or tip;

(c) any contiguous land or structures which might be affected by the mine or the tip or proposed mine or tip; and

(d) all mine workings (whether abandoned or not), buried quarry workings, known cave systems, active or former landslips, springs, artesian wells, watercourses and other natural or manmade features including tunnel pipes or culverts which might affect the safety of the mine or tip, or proposed mine or tip, or which might be relevant for the purpose of determining whether mining or tipping operations can be carried out safely,

which plan must be contoured to Ordnance Datum at a vertical interval not greater than 5 metres and orientated to and correlated with the Irish Grid and marked with squares corresponding to the 100 metre squares shown on Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland sheets on the scale of 1:2500.

Site investigation

2.  A record of all relevant site investigation information including surveys, tests, boreholes and groundwater measurements made for the purpose of the geotechnical assessment together with the results of any testing including the strength of materials within and beneath the tip or within the excavated slope. The record shall include any known historical information relevant to the site investigation.

Cross-sections based on site investigations

3.  Sufficient accurate cross sections on a scale not less detailed than 1:1250 of the site of the tip or proposed tip showing the existing ground surface and all relevant superficial materials and bedrock underlying the site and—

(a) any variation in the thickness, level or character of the superficial deposits and bedrock materials based on the site investigation; and

(b) the position of any surface whether natural or manmade which may affect the safety of the tip or proposed tip.

Plans based on site investigation

4.  Plans showing the position of all boreholes, wells and trial pits used in the site investigation and the location and levels of all materials and surfaces which may affect the safety of the tip or proposed tip.

Assumptions made before analysis

5.  A record of any assumptions relevant to the assessment of ground conditions relating to the safety of the tip made by the geotechnical specialist, including a record of any relevant information which was not available when undertaking the assessment.

Findings of analysis

6.  A record of the calculations carried out in order to determine the safety of the tip, including any variables or parameters used in those calculations and the reasons for using them, and the findings of those calculations expressed as the factor of safety or the probability of failure or other recognised basis of assessing stability.

Design coming out of analysis

7.  An accurate plan on a scale not less detailed than 1:2500 recording, in relation to tips or proposed tips, the design of the tip, including the area of land covered or to be covered, the gradients of that land, the designed contours at vertical intervals of not more than 2 metres, the side slopes and boundaries of the tip and the designed position and nature of construction of any wall or other structure retaining or confining the tip.

Requirements during and after construction

8.  A record of—

(a) the nature and extent of the inspection, supervision and safety measures necessary to ensure the safety of the tip;

(b) a specification of necessary engineering works and safety measures; and

(c) the action to be taken regarding defects specified in the report.