Lima, August 04, 2025. Antonio Samaniego, a member of the Organizing Committee, noted that mines in the Andes and seismic zones of Peru will be the focus of debate at Slope Stability 2026, one of the world's most significant mining slope stability events, which will be held in Peru for the first time in 2026.

Slope Stability 2026 is organized by the Large Open Pit Project (LOP) and supported in Peru by the Peruvian Society of Geoengineering and the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP).

Geotechnical challenges

Samaniego emphasized that the Andes Mountains are home to a significant portion of Peru's mineral deposits; therefore, the industry faces several challenges in achieving sustainable mining and minimizing environmental impact in the area.

The mining engineer added that, from a geotechnical perspective, there are eight mines in Peru located in a very complex territory. These are: Antamina, Toromocho, Las Bambas, Cerro Verde, Cuajone, Toquepala, Quellaveco y Constancia.

“All of them are considered world-class mines operating in complex territory and presenting interesting challenges due to their location. Some are located at high altitudes in the Andes Mountain range, or in seismic areas in desert regions along the coast,” he said.

Samaniego noted that Slope Stability is especially important because geotechnical engineering plays a crucial role in mining. It offers essential information on the strength and deformation characteristics of the rock mass where mining takes place, whether on the surface or underground, allowing for safe and cost-effective design.

Our current understanding of how rock masses respond is limited due to the many factors that influence their behavior under loads or excavations. There have been significant advances in rock characterization, both through laboratory testing and numerical modeling, which have helped improve our knowledge of rock. That is why events like Slope Stability 2026 are so valuable, as they provide a platform for sharing and exchanging experiences from different parts of the world.

For more information about the event, registration, and opportunities for participation and business engagement, please visit the official website https://www.slopestability2026.com/.