Groundwater inflow modeling for a Kazakhstan copper ore deposit
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Date
2015
Authors
Sagin, Jay
Yerikuly, Zhaiyk
Zhaparkhanov, Slyamhan
Panichkin, Vladimir
Miroshnichenko, Oxana
Mashtayeva, Shamshagul
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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
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Keywords
mining operations
Citation
Zhanay Sagintayev, Zhaiyk Yerikuly, Slyamhan Zhaparkhanov, Vladimir Panichkin, Oxana Miroshnichenko, Shamshagul Mashtayeva; 2015; Groundwater inflow modeling for a Kazakhstan copper ore deposit; Journal of environmentalhydrology