Cerro Vanguardia is an Au-Ag mine located in the central plains of Santa Cruz, Argentina. The deposit comprises several veins 3.5 - 10m wide and 19km long. The exploitation is carried out by means of open pits 100 - 240m deep. More than fifty pits will be developed during the project lifetime. The mineralization process caused different degrees of argillic alteration in the veins’ surroundings, potentially compromising pit wall stability. Two geotechnical rock-mass characterization programmes were carried out in 2012 and 2015 to perform slope stability assessments. This work compares and contrasts the two analysis methodologies in order to show a data management procedure aimed at reducing uncertainty. Wide variations in data quality and quantity implied that key parameters had to be estimated by disparate methods. Enhanced geotechnical characterization and detailed analyses led to targeted recommendations on excavation procedures and produced a more consistent and reliable pit design.
