| Summary: | Groundwater quality is an aspect of mine reclamation that is now receiving increased attention.
The potential impact of mines on groundwater quality can be estimated by considering: mine water
sources; groundwater flowpaths; waste characteristics; groundwater geochemistry, and environmental
impacts. Primary groundwater flowpaths are within the more permeable geologic materials. These
flowpaths can transport a significant mass of contaminants even though they generally comprise a small
proportion of the materials. Impacts include potential degradation of water quality in local aquifers, lakes
and streams.
Groundwater assessments can be carried out in four phases. Phase I consists of a review of
existing data that are used to develop a preliminary hydrogeologic interpretation and define a Phase II
field program. The preliminary interpretation is verified and a groundwater monitoring network is
installed during the field program. The Phase I and Phase II data are amalgamated into a Phase III
report, which documents the analysis and presents estimates of future impacts. Mine personnel, in
Phase IV, collect and compile monitoring data that can be used to check the model estimates. In this
manner, potential environmental liabilities are identified and the costs of remediation and/or mitigation
are minimized.
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