Getting rid of chemical analysis - Mine water management with indicator parameters

Abstract

Mine water management within the 1 B Mine Pool of the Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada coal field is conducted by means of 10 wells. Depending on the infiltration rate between 1 and 10 of those pumps are in operation. Because the pump wells are drilled into different depths, the mineralisation of the pumped mine water differs with a trend to lower mineralisation in the shallower wells. In order to pump only water with low Fe-concentrations the mine water's analysed on a 6 monthly plan. Based on the analytical results the sequence in which the pumps are turned on is determined. The mine operator needed a cheaper but precise method to determine the turn-on-sequence of the pumps. A hydrogeochemical investigation of the mine water in the 10 wells at different flow rates was initiated. Based on statistical investigations, the electrical conductivity and temperature of the mine water were identified as an indicator parameter for the Fe-concentration. In combination with the flow rates of the pumps, the lowest Fe-concentration possible at the discharge pipe is estimated using on-site parameters.