Abstract: Most of large and middle scale open-pit mines in China have reached deep mining. Along with the deeping and steepening of the slope, the difficulty to maintain stability of the slope and the probability of failure of the mining area are getting large and large. Due to complicated burring conditions of the ore-bodies in the open-pit mines, the failure modes of the slope are closely related to geological structures and rock mass characteristics. Through systematical field investigations, tests and studies, the tectonic features and general conditions of engineering geology, the mechanisms and modes of failure of the slope in Shuichang mine are basically understood. A geological model of the high and steep slopes in Shuichang open-pit mine is established, which provides a strong basis for stability analysis and optimum design of the slopes using numerical modeling and limiting equilibrium analysis methods.