Groundwater inflow modeling for a Kazakhstan copper ore deposit

Abstract

Mining exploration is widely spread throughout Kazakhstan and it is an important part of the country’s economy. However, mining can create landslides, as well as both surface and groundwater pollution. The purpose of this research is to model the water movement and water volume changes for one of Kazakhstan's mining operations. In this study, we have modeled and predicted the water volume changes within a mining operation for the next 50 years, until the year 2065. The sulphide-ore mining operation, which was studied, is located in East Kazakhstan. Several mining development scenarios with groundwater volume changes were prepared. One of the modeling scenarios was related to the mining pit exploration up to a depth of 100 meters. The groundwater inflow was computed at 106.3 m3/hour, or 2551.6 m3/day for this scenario. Another modeling scenario for the same mining pit had a depth at 585 meters. The groundwater inflow for this scenario was computed at 268.6 m3/hour, or 6447.3 m3/day. Calibration and verification were provided for the modeling work, and results were compared to the water balance. The results of this work could be considered for the engineering design to drain the groundwater from the mining pit. This research work and methodology are replicable and could be applied to other mining explorations and groundwater inflow prediction analyses. The methodology can be adapted to open pit mines under similar conditions