Numerical modeling of groundwater inflow from a confined aquifer into Sangan open pit mine, northeast Iran

Numerical models are useful in the evaluation of the interaction between groundwater systems and mining activities. They can be successfully used to predict the quantity of inflow into open pits and to design an appropriate dewatering system. In this paper, a two-dimensional axi-symmetric finite ele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geomechanics and geoengineering : an international journal 2009-09, Vol.4 (3), p.189-199
Main Authors: Aryafar, A., Doulati Ardejani, F., Singh, R. N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquifers
confined aquifer
finite element model
Geoengineering
Geomechanics
Groundwater
groundwater inflow
Inflow
Mathematical models
Mines
Northeast
open pit mine
Sangan iron ore mine
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Summary:Numerical models are useful in the evaluation of the interaction between groundwater systems and mining activities. They can be successfully used to predict the quantity of inflow into open pits and to design an appropriate dewatering system. In this paper, a two-dimensional axi-symmetric finite element model called SEEP/W has been used to predict the groundwater inflow into Sangan open pit mine (anomaly north C). The Sangan iron mine is located at 280 km south-east of Mashhad, Iran, in arid and warm climate conditions wherein precipitation is generally limited. The water inflow to the pit is mainly from a confined aquifer, mainly by horizontal flow in the upper layers and vertical flow at the pit bottom. The results of the numerical model of the ground water inflow are presented and compared with those obtained from Theis, Cooper-Jacob and Jacob-Lohman analytical solutions. Ground water inflow monitoring was also carried out in a trial excavation at the Sangan mine in order to calibrate the model. The model was then used to predict groundwater inflow into Sangan open pit mine during its advancement. This model provides valuable information for designing an appropriate dewatering system.
ISSN:1748-6025
1748-6033
DOI:10.1080/17486020902919138