Getting rid of chemical analysis – Mine water management with indicator parameters (original) (raw)
Related papers
Methodology of Quantitative Assessment of Mine Water Inflow
This paper presents a methodology of quantifying different sources of water in the overall water entering a mine. The quantification is based on the hydrochemical nature of waters from individual aquifers contributing to the resulting mine water mixture in the pit. In order to solve the general mixing equation, the software tool KYBL-7 has been developed using an over determined set of linear equations (3–10 sources defined by 4–12 parameters). Its computational methodology is generally based on the balances of selected components of mine waters in steady state conditions without considering chemical reactions.
Evaluating the Impact of Mine Groundwater on the Environment
International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 2002
Ef®cient monitoring of mine groundwater conducted with a standard methodology makes the evaluation of the in¯uence of mine water on the environment easier. The paper examines problems of monitoring and proposes a groundwater monitoring system for existing and¯ooded abandoned mines. The ®nal effect of mine waters monitoring enables ecochemical and economical evaluation. It also makes it possible to select and use the appropriate proecological technologies for mine waters.
Statistical hydrochemistry as tool to facilitate the control of mine water
1982
Principal component factor analysis with the varimax orthogonal rotation criterion applied to hydrochemical data is shown to be a promising tool in determination of the origin of water. With advance dewatering becoming more important, this is illustrated in a case study of an area in pre-mining state having an almost homogeneous water chemistry. The R-mode classification reveals the ruling chemical processes, enabling selection of ions to study the arc,al distribution of a reduced number of processes. Determination of the origin of water entering mines can add to the development of more effective and economic schemes for mine dewatering [I]. In addition to active dewatering, infiltration control and grouting of source aquifers may help to reduce water inflow and consequently the need for costly water treatment plants [2]. A way to identify the origin of the water is to determine its chemical composition. Due to the strict water pollution controls in many countries, the chemistry of water from mines and surrounding dewatering wells must be analysed frequently. Therefore only a few additional analyses of samples are needed from water inrush areas inside the mine and from surface waters in the mine area. Common techniques to obtain a regional picture such as a Stiff Symbol Map (effective when large variations occur [I]) or a Piper Plot only take into account the major ions. Furthermore they are time consuming to construct and when this is done by hand, errors can be made. Moreover the information is often limited if the samples show only a minor differentiation in chemistry, i.e. samples from still unpolluted water. In conclusion, a grouping technique which incorporates all available information in the grouping procedure and with a sensitivity to minor changes in composition is needed.
Mine Water and the Environment, 2012
The paper presents a methodology of quantifying different sources of water in the overall water entering a mine. This quantification is based on the hydrochemical nature of waters from individual aquifers contributing to the resulting mine water mixture. In order to solve the general mixing equation, the software tool KYBL has been developed using an over determined set of linear equations (3-10 sources defined by 4-12 parameters). The latest version KYBL-7 is the result of the research cooperation between VSB
WASTE WATER IN MINES AND STATUS OF UTILIZATION
The quality of water in mines at production stage affects the working of mines and surrounding water regime significantly. In many mineral producing countries, the pre-mining prediction of water quality is must for getting lease or license for mining operations. In this paper, various methodologies for prediction of the water quality in terms of pH, TDS, conductivity and metal concentration at the exploration stages were discussed. Such adverse information before start of mines is not only be useful for planning the water pollution control in advance but also help in mitigation of ill effects on mining on surrounding water regime.
Guidelines for mine water management
2016
This report aims to identify current and expected future needs for mine water management, to describe water management procedures and decisions in different phases of a mine's life cycle, to introduce good practices for water balance management, and present selected case study examples. Based on these, guidelines for mine water management are being created. This work is a part of the project "Management of water balance and quality in mining areas" (WaterSmart). The WaterSmart project is a part of the sustainable extractive industry program Green Mining by Tekes.
Detection of Mixing Dynamics During Pumping of a Flooded Coal Mine
Groundwater, 2014
In complex hydrogeological environments the effective management of groundwater quality problems by pump-and-treat operations can be most confidently achieved if the mixing dynamics induced within the aquifer by pumping are well understood. The utility of isotopic environmental tracers (C-, H-, O-, S-stable isotopic analyses and age indicators—14C, 3H) for this purpose is illustrated by the analysis of a pumping test in an abstraction borehole drilled into flooded, abandoned coal mineworkings at Deerplay (Lancashire, UK). Interpretation of the isotope data was undertaken conjunctively with that of major ion hydrochemistry, and interpreted in the context of the particular hydraulic setting of flooded mineworkings to identify the sources and mixing of water qualities in the groundwater system. Initial pumping showed breakdown of initial water quality stratification in the borehole, and gave evidence for distinctive isotopic signatures (δ34S(SO4) ≅ −1.6‰, δ18O(SO4) ≅ +15‰) associated with primary oxidation of pyrite in the zone of water table fluctuation—the first time this phenomenon has been successfully characterized by these isotopes in a flooded mine system. The overall aim of the test pumping—to replace an uncontrolled outflow from a mine entrance in an inconvenient location with a pumped discharge on a site where treatment could be provided—was swiftly achieved. Environmental tracing data illustrated the benefits of pumping as little as possible to attain this aim, as higher rates of pumping induced in-mixing of poorer quality waters from more distant old workings, and/or renewed pyrite oxidation in the shallow subsurface.
Metals and Minerals are today very important components in the overall developmental process. With rapid development particularly in developing countries the demand for Coal, Iron, steel, aluminum, zinc , limestone, dolomite , chrome ore and various other minerals is increasing at a very fast rate. This rapidly increasing demand can be met only through development of large scale mines. Any major mining activity causes major modification of topography, drainage system, forest regime , land use , geomorphologic characteristics and also causes damage to the aquifers below earth surface. The aim of mining is to extract as much raw material as possible and the consideration for impact of mining on basin characteristics like hydrology, geomorphology, hydrogeology , geohydrochemistry is secondary. However, with increasing importance of environmental and ecological factors in human life and importance of conservation of water resources the necessity of technically sound mine water management has become essential. Fundamentally, the mining industry distinguishes between surface opencast mine and Deep underground mine. Deep underground mines can be differentiated into shaft mines or drift mines depending on entry to underground workings. Many metal deposits occur in the narrow vein type ore bodies.
Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2002
Although mining is no longer a key industry in the UK, the international mining industry continues to expand. One of the principal legacies of past mining in Britain is water pollution emanating from abandoned mine voids and waste rock depositories. This has necessitated many expensive technical evaluations and remedial programmes in recent years, from which important lessons may be drawn for the still-growing mining industry overseas. Perhaps the single most important lesson is that there can never be too much information on mine hydrogeology and geochemistry available at the post-closure phase. As this phase is also the longest in the overall life cycle of any mine, it should be given appropriate consideration from the outset. The post-closure studies described in this paper and in this volume (as well as elsewhere) highlight the dearth of hydrological data that are usually available when compared with the wealth of geometric information available from mine abandonment plans. It is advocated that the collection of appropriate environmental data is built into the initial mine development plan and that monitoring commences from the green field site onwards. The uncertainties related to predictive modelling of mine water arisings are considerable, whilst those of predicting mine water quality are even greater. Numerous pointers towards robust mine water management strategies are identified, and a call for 'defensive mine planning' is made, in which relatively modest investments in hydrogeochemical control measures during the exploration and exploitation phases of the mine life cycle will yield dividends in the post-closure phase. With such measures in place, and enhanced monitoring data to hand, the conjunctive application of physical and geochemical evaluations will eventually provide much-needed predictive tools to inform site management decisions in the future.