# Slope Stability Analysis of Open-Pit Mine Considering Weathering Effects
## 1 Introduction  
Slope stability analysis is a pivotal aspect of mine planning and operations in open-pit mines, as it directly impacts the safety of mine workers and the efficiency of mining activities [1, 2, 3]. Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted to assess slope stability. With the advancing technology in open-pit mining, the scale and depth of excavations are constantly increasing. Slope stability is a crucial aspect of civil engineering and geotechnical studies. The following are the most influential parameters in slope stability: soil properties, geological structure, slope geometry, groundwater conditions, and external loads [4]. As the depth of mining increases, slope heights are also escalating annually, resulting in concave or deeply concave mining fields. In open-pit mines, every marginal increase in slope angle can significantly augment the stripping volume, emphasizing the importance of optimizing slope design and accurately evaluating slope stability [5, 6]. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to slope stability analysis, considering various factors such as geological conditions and weathering effects is essential for ensuring the safety and sustainability of mining operations. Slope stability is often influenced by a range of geological and environmental factors, with weathering effects being particularly significant contributors [7, 8, 9, 10]. Rocks varyin composition and structure, leading to differences in stress-strain relationships and deformation characteristics. These properties are further influenced by factors such as temperature and humidity, which are integral parts of the weathering process [11; 12; 13; 14; 15]. Rock weathering is a natural process that involves the gradual breakdown and alteration of rocks due to their interactions with the environment over time [16; 17; 18; 19; 20]. This ongoing process leads to intricate changes in the petrographical, mineralogical, microstructural, and geomechanical properties of rocks. Typically, weathering reduces the strength of rocks by enhancing the deformability and degradation. Furthermore, weathering alters the mineral composition of rocks, causing certain minerals to undergo dissolution, oxidation, or hydrolysis through chemical reactions. These chemical alterations result in changes in the physical and mechanical properties, further compromising the tensile strength of rock and increasing its vulnerability to failure [21]. Given the adverse impact of weathering on strength and deformational characteristics of rocks, a thorough evaluation of the physical-mechanical behavior of rocks under weathering conditions is crucial in the context of underground mines [22; 23]. Previous investigations into the geotechnical state of railway tunnels have revealed that weathering can pose significant challenges, leading to substantial economic losses [24]. Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of weathering on the mechanical properties of granitoid rocks. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [25] observed a decrease in the elastic modulus of granodiorite as weathering time increased. Leveraging the correlation between weathering grades and changes in mechanical and petrographic properties, [PERSON] and [PERSON] established a weathering classification system for granitoid rocks. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [26] delved into the characteristics of granitic rock masses across various weathering zones in tropical environments. Additionally, researchers have discovered that weathering reduces the elastic modulus of rocks by modifying their mineralogical characteristics. Specifically, for calcareous rocks, the elastic modulus has been shown to exhibit a negative exponential relationship with calcite content. In open-pit mines, weathering can significantly reduce the strength and stability of slope materials, posing potential safety hazards [27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32]. Despite the crucial role of weathering effects in determining slope stability, many traditional analysis methods overlook or oversimplify these factors [33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38].