Best practices for automation and control of mine dewatering. Special drainage wells include potable water tank overflow, construction dewatering, swimming pool drainage, and mine dewatering wells. Not only can mines improve their environmental performance by applying this system, they will also see bottom line benefits too. The geology, ground water conditions, and type of excavation all influence the selection of dewatering. Automated control of mine dewatering pumps nwu institutional. The system required a flow capacity of 480ls 7,608 gpm, over a pipeline distance of 4,300 meters.
Experimental wells are used to test new technologies. It presents the short characteristics of particular dewatering arrangements and their advantages and disadvantages in different hydrogeological conditions. Epa hardrock mining conference 2012 dewatering system active pumping well depth. The purpose of the dewatering system is to increase the concentration of the solid discharge removed from the pulp in order to increase the amount of water recovered. The discharge valve isolates the pump from the dewatering column and plays a critical role during the multistage pump starting and stopping procedures. The underground mine was used to assure open pit dewatering by mining twin haulages under the open pit at 1500ft level to the 26 east section position. Dewatering tailings produce a filtered wet cake that can no longer be transported by pipeline. Investigation of stream dewatering incidents with regard to underground mining activities can be challenging for a variety of reasons.
Mine dewatering at open pit mine keywords modflownwt, mine dewatering background open pits are developed in the mining industry for the extraction of minerals, raw materials, and aggregate. The design of mine dewatering systems in poland international. Recycling, provided the water quality is suitable for its intended use. Total pumping solutions for dewatering and process water duties.
The primary technique involved in these dewatering processes is sedimentation, which is the settling of a suspension of particles in a fluid under the effect of an external force, which may. Also the influence of mining operation system on the selection of the best arrangements to be operated has been shortly discussed. The system has been operating successfully for five years. Most mining and quarrying operations the world over require some form of dewatering system to keep their operations moving and as water becomes even scarcer this precious resource is often being reclaimed, used, cleaned, reused and recycled throughout the process. This type of mine drainage has been quite successful in deep star and rosebud underground gold mines in nevada, and the lamefoot and k 2 mines in washington state. Our expert dewatering engineers work with you to deliver total, cost effective dewatering solutions to suit every individual mine site. T l total length of the piping system, s h suction height, s l total pipe length on slope, eq l total equivalent pipe length, w l total pipe length on berm width, p l total pipe length on pit floor, and d l pipe length at delivery end. Construction dewatering has existed as a specialty industry for a long time. A strategic approach to the design and implementation of an. Outotec dewatering solutions while water recovery may be important and in some cases can limit production generally the selection of filtration for tailings dewatering is based on the decision to apply dry stacking of the tailings. He said the ecotails solution involves dewatering and filtering tailings to a point where moisture content is just 10% to 25%.
Mining or mining work is frequently located in remote places that are difficult to access. Our dewatering pump systems, customized to successfully handle high flow rates, maintain ongoing operations for prime mineral exploitation. Michels offers the following groundwater control and soil stability solutions. Mine dewatering operations must optimize the locations and pumping rates of these dewatering wells, as well as control regional drawdownthis cannot be achieved without accurately monitoring groundwater levels around the mine and surrounding areas. The proposed system consisted of four skid mounted parallel pump sets, lined up in series, and fed from an existing pontoon pump system. Every mine faces unique source water and process water challenges, typically related to intake, quality, restricted access or effluent management. Mine dewatering is usually undertaken for several reasons. Comparative study of mine dewatering control systems.
The client requested an investigation into providing more pumps to allow for a revised mine plan at increased depths figure 2. Recycling options include dust control, process circuit water, cooling water systems or washdown water. Wells will not be classified as experimental if the technology can be considered under an established well subclass. With its high flow capacity, it is excellent for dewatering open pit mines. Underground mining is expected to increase by about 50 percent in the next 15 years. Mine dewatering is an essential part of resource extraction, as it lowers the water table around the mine or quarry. Pdf selection and optimization of mine pumping systems. The dewatering system at the homestake mine existed within the ross shaft to 5000 l, in the no.
In the kreka syncline, where underground mining is being done, dewatering of waterbearing sand is being done by oneline system of drilled vertical wells and inspiring. Mine dewatering system design validated using aft fathom. Best practice, automation, cavitation, overheating, efficiency, failure, multistage centrifugal pump, control, schedule typical deep level mines use up to 27 ml water per day for mining operations. Owing to several factors, efforts are being made to increase the efficiency of the recycling of used water rao and finch, 1989 mineral processing plants can consume a large proportion of the local water resources, and this can reduce the amount of water available for other uses. Pdf determination of the operating parameters of an open. Cascade dewatering system for the shaft sinking phase signaling system for emergency hoisting winch platform hoisting winch rescue powerless telephone system for rescue teams haulage monitoring systems for rail haulage automation system for rail switch mine radio system for rail haulage a powerful transformation. Michels has specific methods for the quick installation and reliable operation of. Itt goulds pumps is a leading manufacturer of pumps for a. You can depend on summit esp for our submersible borehole and surface pumps to control groundwater inflows. Dewatering of mines international mine water association. In other mines, and in other geological settings, dewatering is fundamental to the viability of the mine and may require the use of very large resources and management. Pdf optimization of dewatering systems for mineral.
Safety is our number one priority and we have rigorous measures in place to protect our people, partners and communities while continuing to support our customers at this time. Mining storm water, dewatering, and no discharge general permit. Mine dewatering booster pump system elevation hydraulic gradeline. Gcs provides comprehensive services in terms of feasibility evaluations as well as detailed design, management and monitoring. The following graphic uses a size comparison to illustrate the different dewatering systems with a hydraulic capacity of 100 m. The mining general permit covers all areas of the state of mississippi. Slope instability, dewatering of blast holes, and mining operations below the groundwater table are important issues caused by groundwater seepage into the golgohar open pit mine, iran. Xylem tailors water and mining solutions to your location, with pumps and systems for transport and pressure boosting, reliable dewatering, mining water treatment and quality monitoring.
Water control in underground mines international mine water. Goulds pumps recognizes that the importance and extent of mine dewatering varies greatly and can range from a single pump back station at a sump to complicated dewatering schemes involving dozens of dewatering wells pumping several thousand gallons per minute. Office of surface mining reclamation and enforcement 032720. Hydrogeological condition gold mining business antam pongkor require dewatering system to prevent flooding at work front. The complexities involved in mine dewatering systems employed by anglo. This is a clip from nevada mining episode 2 our wealth of minerals part 2 explores the environmental impacts of mining as well as the minerals we extract a. Class v underground injection control study protecting. A strategic approach to the design and implementation of an effective mine dewatering system m. Dewatering of tailings with flottweg decanters mineral. Mine dewatering is the action of removing groundwater from a mine.
In addition, geotechnical inclines were mined from 1500ft level below the nop at 10 east and 15 east to facilitate. Up to 90% of the water in tailings can therefore be reused in the plant, he said. Pit dewatering therefore, is an essential activity in mining. Pdf comparison of the dewatering of underground and open. In many circumstances, these pits are excavated below the water table. Mathematical, graphical, and electroanalogous methods of analyzing seepage flow through generalized soil conditions and boundaries to various types of dewatering or pressure relief systems are presented in the technical literature. Automated systems can avoid system overload and protect the infrastructure. Fathom to model a proposed modification to a mine dewatering system in indonesia. Depending on geologic conditions and mining practices, cones of depression groundwa. Of this total about 200,000,000 tons is bituminous coal. The features are identified as beneficial to the control of dewatering systems, and. While in some operations such as thickenig, the sods concentration of the pulp is the criterion, in others such as ef fluent treatment, it is the clarity of the supernatant that is of major concern. Tips on investigating stream dewatering from underground mines.
The existing brm workforce will complete all work associated with the extensions. Automation, mine dewatering pumps, control, clear water pumping, dsm. Deep gold mine dewatering system control mainly utilises nonreturn and discharge valves to ensure correct pump operation. Proposal of criteria for selection of dewatering methods in. The pump valve configuration is critical for reducing the. Our electric submersible pump esp technology is fieldproven to withstand thermal cycling, scaling, abrasion, and corrosion in the most challenging environments. The reliability of the system is key to the successful operation of the mine. Not the least of which is there is often a lack of pre mining data with.
From ground water to mine water christian wolkersdorfer. In one embodiment, one or more directionally drilled dewatering wells are drilled into the geologic formation such that at least a portion of the dewatering well is positioned underneath the mine. Mining operations optimize dewatering processes insitu. Best practices for automation and control of mine dewatering systems author. Depending on geologic conditions and mining practices, cones of depression groundwater drawdown areas. The flygt 2250 drainage pump is based on the world famous bibo pump that has been serving the mining industry for decades. Mine dewatering and water management at barrick goldstrike. A system and method for efficiently and effectively removing water from mine areas is presented. As a result, several mining companies have started to use seawater in their operations and have also improved their water recycling systems johnson, 2003. Passive and active systems fiber reinforced concrete 8 tunnel linings dewatering 9 sludge dewatering tubes for dewatering mine tailings site remediation 10 revegetation works, channel linings and retaining walls technical support 11 worldclass technical staff, short courses and onsite support. A wellpoint system is an effective way to lower groundwater levels, particularly when drawdown levels are less than 15 feet in depth.
Optimizing dewatering processes in mining operations. Pdf determination of the operating parameters of an open pit. On some projects groundwater is a minor impediment that can be dealt with on an adhoc basis. Mine dewatering system design validated using aft fathomtm.
In mine drainage boreholes are also the main method of dewatering in the konkola mine in zambia, which is considered to be one of the wettest mines in the world. For open pit or underground mining dewatering, goulds can help. Dewatering is essential for the safe and efficient operation of quarries and open pit mines. Dewatering team members, site maintenance personnel, engineers, technicians, operators and hydrogeologists involved in the design, upgrade, operation, installation, testing and maintenance of pit dewatering systems, managed aquifer recharge systems and below water table mining operations. The mining of the broadmeadow extensionis to sustain existing production rates of the brm mine and will extend the life of mine by approximately one year.
One total solution for mining and mineral processing. The water produced is often used for other mining activities. Its a robust and reliable pump designed to handle the harsh environments found in the mine and construction industry. Dewatering in the mining industry is frequently used for processing water, while outof mine dewatering can prevent contamination of groundwater. Pdf the paper describes various factors which affect the design of a pumping system for a mining layout. When a mine extends below the water table groundwater will, due to gravity, infiltrate the mine workings. Groundwater can be controlled by means of one or more types of dewatering systems appropriate to the size and depth of the excavation, geological conditions, and characteristics of the soil. Selecting the proper dewatering infrastructure, such as pumps and controls, is an essential part of the dewatering process. The purpose of a dewatering system for underground and open pit coal mine is to control ground water levels and to reduce pore water pressure in the ground so dewatering systems are also important. Construction sites are dewatered for the following purposes.
Consequently, a number of wellestablished techniques have been developed to lower the ground water table during excavation. The main pumping duties which can be assigned to a mine dewatering system are specified in terms of delivery rate, total head a. Benefits of dewatering include better working conditions and greater efficiency of mining. Mine dewatering system total dewatering solutions weir.
857 167 38 552 629 517 893 1854 252 1839 832 599 1498 1373 1815 645 398 1217 1767 1861 169 552 838 795 619 1363 728 727 642 533