Groundwater quality evaluations of mines

• Main Authors: McCreadie, Hugh, Smith, Rod
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/11071

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.