Is Treatment of Mine Dewatering Water Necessary Prior to Rapid Infiltration Basin Recharge? A Case Study

Davis, Andy; Zhan, Guosheng; Sims, N.; Metheny, Maura A.; Whitehead, C.

doi:10.1007/s10230-021-00839-2

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Despite this, appropriate hydrogeological investigations can demonstrate to regulators that treatment may be unnecessary due to natural dilution processes in the subsurface. Davis et al (2022) used field data, hydrogeological modeling, and geochemical analysis to assess the need for treatment of mine dewatering water with 0.045 mg/L arsenic (As) prior to discharge via rapid infiltration basins. The study demonstrated to the Nevada State Division of Environmental Protection that through dispersion and attenuation the state reference value of 0.010 mg/L As and the natural background level of 0.015 mg/L As would be met at all monitoring wells.…”

Section: Feasibility Of Mar In Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managed Aquifer Recharge in Mining: A Review

2023

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Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been gaining adoption within the mining industry for managing surplus water volumes and reducing the groundwater impacts of dewatering. This paper reviews MAR for mining and includes an inventory of 27 mines using or considering MAR for current or future operations. Most mines using MAR are in arid or semi-arid regions and are implementing it through infiltration basins or bore injection to manage surplus water, preserve aquifers for environmental or human benefit, or adhere to licensing that requires zero surface discharge. Surplus water volumes, hydrogeological conditions, and economics play a pivotal role in the feasibility of MAR for mining. Groundwater mounding, well clogging, and interaction between adjacent mines are common challenges. Mitigation strategies include predictive groundwater modeling, extensive monitoring programs, rotation of infiltration or injection facilities, physical and chemical treatments for clogging, and careful location for MAR facilities in relation to adjacent operations. Should water availability alternate between shortage and excess, injection bores may be used for supply, thus reducing costs and risks associated with drilling new wells. MAR, if applied strategically, also has the potential to accelerate groundwater recovery post-mine closure. The success of MAR for mining is emphasized by mines opting to increase MAR capacity alongside dewatering expansions, as well as prospective mines proposing MAR for future water requirements. Upfront planning is the key to maximizing MAR benefits. Improved information sharing could help increase awareness and uptake of MAR as an effective and sustainable mine water management tool.

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Section: Feasibility Of Mar In Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managed Aquifer Recharge in Mining: A Review

2023

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“…Groundwater levels decline in response to active and passive dewatering (Henton 1981;Timms et al 2018). Conversely, groundwater levels rise in response to pumping-recovery (Henton 1981;Timms et al 2018); mine-induced in ltration at rapid in ltration basins (Nimmer et al 2009; Davis et al 2022); and stream in ltration following mine-water discharge to streams or unlined ditches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coupled Baseline Estimation and Trend Analysis Approach to Differentiate Natural and Mine-Related Stresses on Groundwater Levels

Jackson,

Zhan

2024

Preprint

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Permitting and regulatory obligations require mine operators to periodically report the spatial extent of mine-induced water-level changes, and to provide water-level monitoring data for review, along with explanations of all hydrologic stresses causing water-level trends. This study couples a baseline-estimation method with a curve-fitting trend-analysis approach to determine all natural, mining, and non-mining aquifer stresses affecting water levels in wells. The approach was applied to the Twin Creeks Mine monitoring network in north-central Nevada, USA. Stresses identified in wells were used to delineate the approximate extent of pumping effects and indicated that drawdowns have not coalesced between mining and non-mining pumping areas. Trend-analysis results indicated that ten study-area well hydrographs have natural trends, and statistical methods identified three of these wells as having statistically significant downward trends. Thus, caution should be used when interpreting the meaning of statistically significant downward trends, because the downward trend may be climate driven rather than pumping related. The curve-matching approach requires the development of a baseline water-level trend to understand expected natural fluctuations. The baseline trend assumes a dynamic-equilibrium natural condition, where long-term net changes in groundwater levels are zero. The baseline trend and trend analysis require a recharge proxy for the study area. This study developed recharge proxies using winter precipitation data, peak reservoir-storage volumes, and metered mine-water discharge to a surface-water channel. The curve-matching approach also can be used to identify and remove erroneous data, reconcile water-level and pumping datasets, or build hydrologic conceptualizations.

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通过对曲线进行基准估计和趋势分析, 以区分天然应力及矿山应力对地下水位的影响

Jackson,

Zhan

2024

Mine Water Environ

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Is Treatment of Mine Dewatering Water Necessary Prior to Rapid Infiltration Basin Recharge? A Case Study

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Managed Aquifer Recharge in Mining: A Review

Managed Aquifer Recharge in Mining: A Review

Coupled Baseline Estimation and Trend Analysis Approach to Differentiate Natural and Mine-Related Stresses on Groundwater Levels

通过对曲线进行基准估计和趋势分析, 以区分天然应力及矿山应力对地下水位的影响

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