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Abstract of the Article

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Use of mathematical model for predicting problems associated with the mine land settlement in backfilled open cut mines

Authors:
[ F. Doulati Ardejani ] - Faculty of Mining and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology
[ S.Z. Shafaei ] - Faculty of Mining and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Environmental Department, Iran Colour Research Centre
[ F. Sereshki ] - Faculty of Mining and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology
[ A. Moradzadeh ] - Faculty of Mining and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology

Abstract:

In many surface mining sites where mining is carried out below the water table, groundwater inflow from the surrounding strata towards the mining excavation creates economical, operational, safety and environmental problems. When mining is completed and the dewatering operations have ceased, the water table will return to its equilibrium level as was prior to the commencement of the mining operation. The environmental and safety problems associated with the mine land settlement during the recovery period of groundwater should also not be ignored. To find an appropriate relationship between groundwater recovery and soil settlement, is an important aspect in hydrogeology and can be used as a suitable tool in predicting safety and environmental problems. In this paper, a two-dimensional numerical finite element model called SEEP/W was modified to predict the groundwater recovery within the spoils of the open cut mines after termination of mining operations. For calibration purpose, the model was first used to simulate groundwater inflow into the surface mine excavation. The predicted inflow by model was compared to those inflows calculated using three existing analytical equations and the agreement was somewhat close between various models. The numerical model presented for groundwater recovery showed that the rate of water rebound is rapid at the early stages of mine abandonment and cessation of dewatering. This causes a considerable settlement. The results obtained from the simulation of the post-mining groundwater recovery can be used by environmental groups and mine operators in order to design a mine drainage pollution prevention scheme. Furthermore, it can also provide useful information related to the settlement of mine soils, which is particularly important for the further use and development of abandoned, mine lands.

Keywords:

numerical modeling, analytical models, soil settlement, groundwater recovery, SEEP/W