Comparative Stability Analysis of High and Steep Rock Slopes Before and After Ecological Restoration Using Rocscience Slide

The stability of high and steep rock slopes in open-pit mines, particularly under ecological restoration, remains a significant concern. However, the quantitative assessment of the influence of vegetation restoration on slope stability is still underexplored. This study assessed the stability of a high and steep limestone slope in the Kazimiao mining area, Ningxia, before and after ecological restoration, utilizing Rocscience Slide software and 3D laser scanning point cloud data. The limit equilibrium method was applied to simulate slope stability under multiple conditions: natural, rainfall (20 mm/h to 200 mm/h), seismic (magnitude 6 to 9), and coupled slope-cutting–seismic scenarios. Results indicated that the slope’s safety factor increased slightly from 2.041 to 2.096 after restoration, demonstrating a marginal improvement in stability. Under rainfall conditions, the safety factor decreased from 1.861 to 1.342 (before restoration) and 1.979 to 1.408 (after restoration), showing limited but positive effects of revegetation. Seismic simulations revealed a decrease in stability with increasing magnitudes, as safety factors dropped from 1.761 to 0.916 in magnitude 9 conditions. These findings highlight the limited role of vegetation in enhancing slope stability, which is primarily determined by the intrinsic properties of the rock mass, while also contributing positively to surface integrity, erosion resistance, and ecological recovery. This study provides a novel framework for evaluating slope stability and ecological restoration performance in mining areas.