Bench Crest

The uppermost edge of a mining bench, forming the boundary between the bench face and the upper working level or surface. The bench crest is a critical geotechnical boundary requiring careful management to prevent crest failures that could endanger personnel and equipment operating on the bench below. Crest stability depends on rock strength, geological structure, blast design, and equipment proximity. Safety exclusion zones are established from the bench crest based on geotechnical assessments and regulatory requirements in open pit mining operations.