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Use of Numerical Groundwater Modelling for Mine...
discharges back into creeks through the layer of surficial sand. The deep ground-
water system also receives recharge from the shallow groundwater system due to
differences in hydraulic heads and the existence of a vertical downward gradient.
The River A is a major surface water body within the hydrologic study area with
the riverbed being located within the till unit. Groundwater discharges into the
river during pre-mining conditions.
During mining conditions the major sources of inflow to the proposed pits
would be: (a) groundwater storage of the shallow groundwater system (during
initial stages of pit excavation); ( b) groundwater storage of the deep groundwater
system (during late stages of pit excavation); (c) direct inflow from precipitation;
and (d ) inflow from River A (most likely limited) through the lower till and by re-
charge to the sandstone groundwater system through overlying shale.
Both pits will be excavated from the ground surface through the lower portion
of the sandstone unit to the depth of 320m. A dewatering well system was simu-
lated as a total of 22 pumping centres on the perimeter of each pit, pumping water
from the sandstone groundwater system. The water level for each dewatering well
was specified to be 30m below the elevation of the pit bottom at the end of each
year, according to the yearly mine plans.
Constructed 3-d numerical groundwater flow model was calibrated to pre-
mining water levels measured in numerous monitoring wells and to results
of four long term pumping tests. The model was developed by using modflow-
surfact code [2] to simulate two water tables in predictive calculations.
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Use of Numerical Groundwater Modelling for Mine...
SUMMARY
Groundwater generally flows into open pit and underground mines three-dimen-
sionally and variably through time. Collection of 3-d groundwater data, and
commonly, the development of 3-d numerical groundwater and solute-transport
models are required in order to fully characterise the groundwater system and to
predict dewatering requirements and mining impacts. Hydrogeological data nec-
essary for 3-d characterisation should primarily be collected in the area adjacent
to the orebody and at a depth of at least 50m below the proposed ultimate bot-
tom of the open pit or underground mine. Data might include:
A vertical profile of horizontal hydraulic conductivity (Kh) values within different
hydrogeological units.
The vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) value for specific units.
A profile of water chemistry with depth.
The hydraulic connection between the groundwater system and surface water
bodies; and
Water levels in plan-view and at various depths, to estimate lateral and vertical
groundwater gradients.
We emphasise that vertical hydraulic gradients and vertical hydraulic conductivity are
very important components of a conceptual hydrogeological model and predic-
tive simulations of mine inflows and post-mining conditions (pit lake chemistry,
for example), and are commonly missed during even advanced-level hydrogeologi-
cal investigations.
Three-dimensional numerical groundwater modelling developed on geologi-
cal and hydrogeological data, and on proposed mine plans, can be used for sensi-
tivity analyses and planning of field work as well as for predictive purposes.
There are numerous numerical codes and techniques now available; however,
the commercially available and most frequently used finite-difference codes
are Visual modflow with modflow-surfact [2, 3] and finite-element code
eflow [4] . These codes have good modelling features to simulate the open pits
f
and underground mines, are very well accepted by regulatory agencies and in-
ternational experts and could be considered as the first choices in groundwa-
ter modelling of mine dewatering projects.
The fully developed 3-d numerical groundwater model should be calibrated to
steady-state pre-mining and transient (initial mine dewatering, pump tests, etc.)
conditions. After calibration, the model might be used to predict: (a) passive in-
flow to the mine (both in space and time); ( b) active dewatering options (if re-
quired); (c) pore pressures, as input for slope/roof stability analysis; (d ) potential
environmental impacts to water levels and surface water bodies; and (e) post-mining
conditions (including formation of a pit lake or flooding of the underground mine).
If necessary, a simple geochemical mixing model or a more comprehensive solute
transport model can be developed based on the 3-d numerical groundwater model
to predict quality of water discharge during the mining or pit-lake water chemis-
try for post-mining conditions.
REFERENCES
Ugorets, V. & Howell, R. (2008) 3-d Characterisation of Groundwater Flow in Hard-rock Ura-
nium Deposits in publications of 2nd International Symposium Uranium: Resources
and Production, Moscow. [1]
Hydrogeologic, Inc. (2002) modflow-surfact Software (version 2.2). [2]
Schlumberger Water Services (2007) Visual MODFLOW Premium (version4.3). [3]
Wasy Institute for Water Resources Planning and Systems Research Ltd. (2002) feflow
software (version 5.2). [4]
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