Using the GRAM Model to Reconstruct the Important Factors in Historic Groundwater Rebound in Part of the Durham Coalfield,UK

Abstract:  Modeling of mine water rebound in the southernmost zone of the Durham Coalfield has been undertaken in an attempt to reproduce observed water level recovery, since the 1970s, within five coal blocks south of the Butterknowle Fault. The lumped parameter model GRAM (groundwater rebound in abandoned mineworkings) was chosen to perform the simulations since it overcomes, to a large extent, a common problem found in such studies, namely a lack (especially concerning historic hydrogeological records) and superabundance of various kinds of data. The results obtained from this approach are satisfying and closely resemble the observed pattern of mine water rebound for the mining blocks studied. Such research indicates the critical dependence of predictions on factors such as the volume of water flowing into the system, the percentage runoff, and the value of storage coefficient assigned to the old workings. Model predictions are most useful as a tool for improving the conceptual understanding of abandoned mine systems and as a basis for evaluating alternative possibilities of coalfield behaviour, rather than as a strict quantitative assessment for all management purposes.     

Predicting Rebound in a Deep Colliery in South Africa

Abstract:  The main challenge facing many of the coal mines in South Africa is the management of mine water following the closure of mining operations. The Sigma Colliery is situated in the Free State Province, adjacent to the town of Sasolburg and bordering the Vaal River, one of the country's largest rivers. The mining includes both opencast and underground operations; however, this paper will only discuss the main underground operations. There are several aquifer systems overlying the deeper mining, which was done by bord and pillar and high extraction mining. Detailed conceptual models of the interactions between several aquifer systems and the rebounding mine voids were constructed using mining and monitoring data. From this, numerical flow models were used to model the complex flow system where rebound of water levels is expected. The results have led to an accurate understanding of the complex flow system and the important controls on the final water levels in the area.     

Rebound at Pb-Zn Mines Hosted in Carbonate Aquifers: Influence on the Chemistry of Ground Water

Abstract  Closure of Pb-Zn mines in the Iglesiente district (SW Sardinia, Italy) caused the cessation of pumping in 1997 at Monteponi, and in 1998 at San Giovanni. Consequent flooding of underground workings occurred in the district and also involved Campo Pisano. In June 1998, as the water table rose from 160 to 20 m below sea level, the deep saline water mixed with the shallow ground water at Monteponi and nearby mines. In the same period, an increase in dissolved metals (especially Zn, Cd, and Pb) was observed under near-neutral pH conditions. Following peak concentrations, a marked decrease of Zn, Cd, and Hg occurred. Dissolved Pb showed fluctuating concentrations over the monitoring period (1996-2005). In January 2000, when the water table rose to 20 m above sea level, the salinity of ground water decreased significantly at all of the mines. Stratification caused the more saline water at depth to settle three years after rebound started. Depth profiles carried out in 2005 at Monteponi, San Giovanni, and Campo Pisano showed an increase in conductivity and dissolved metals in ground water at deeper levels, especially at depths below sea level.After eight years of rebound, a marine component was still present at depth in ground water at San Giovanni (about 2%), and to a lesser extent at Monteponi (about 0.4%).     

Evaluation of Airborne Thermal Infrared Imagery for Locating Mine Drainage Sites in the Lower Youghiogheny River Basin,Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract.  Nighttime high-resolution airborne thermal infrared imagery (TIR) data were collected in the predawn hours during Feb 5-8 and March 11-12, 1999, from a helicopter platform for 72.4 km of the Youghiogheny River, from Connellsville to McKeesport, in southwestern Pennsylvania. The TIR data were used to identify sources of mine drainage from abandoned mines that discharge directly into the Youghiogheny River. Image-processing and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques were used to identify 70 sites within the study area as possible mine drainage sources. The combination of GIS datasets and the airborne TIR data provided a fast and accurate method to target the possible sources. After field reconnaissance, it was determined that 24 of the 70 sites were mine drainage. This paper summarizes: the procedures used to process the TIR data and extract potential mine-drainage sites; methods used for verification of the TIR data; a discussion of factors affecting the TIR data; and a brief summary of water quality.     

Evaluation of Airborne Thermal Infrared Imagery for Locating Mine Drainage Sites in the Lower Kettle Creek and Cooks Run Basins,Pennsylvania, USA

Abstract.  High-resolution airborne thermal infrared (TIR) imagery data were collected over 90.6 km² (35 mi²) of remote and rugged terrain in the Kettle Creek and Cooks Run Basins, tributaries of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in north-central Pennsylvania. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of TIR for identifying sources of acid mine drainage (AMD) associated with abandoned coal mines. Coal mining from the late 1800s resulted in many AMD sources from abandoned mines in the area. However, very little detailed mine information was available, particularly on the source locations of AMD sites. Potential AMD sources were extracted from airborne TIR data employing custom image processing algorithms and GIS data analysis. Based on field reconnaissance of 103 TIR anomalies, 53 sites (51%) were classified as AMD. The AMD sources had low pH (<4) and elevated concentrations of iron and aluminum. Of the 53 sites, approximately 26 sites could be correlated with sites previously documented as AMD. The other 27 mine discharges identified in the TIR data were previously undocumented. This paper presents a summary of the procedures used to process the TIR data and extract potential mine drainage sites, methods used for field reconnaissance and verification of TIR data, and a brief summary of water-quality data.     

Long Term Changes in the Limnology and Geochemistry of the Berkeley Pit Lake, Butte, Montana

Abstract.  The Berkeley pit lake in Butte, Montana is one of the largest accumulations of acid mine drainage in the world. The pit lake began filling in 1983, and continues to fill at a rate of roughly 10 million liters d^-1. This paper details how changes in mining activities have led to changes in the rate of filling of the pit lake, as well as changes in its limnology and geochemistry. As of 2005, the Berkeley pit lake is meromictic, with lower conductivity water resting on top of higher conductivity water. This permanent stratification was set up by diversion of surface water—the so-called Horseshoe Bend Spring—into the pit during the period 2000 to 2003. However, the lake may have been holomictic prior to 2000, with seasonal top-to-bottom turnover events. The present mining company is pumping water from below the chemocline to a copper precipitation plant, after which time the Cu-depleted and Fe-enriched water is returned to the pit. Continued operation of this facility may eventually change the density gradient of the lake, with a return to holomictic conditions. A conceptual model illustrating some of the various physical, chemical, and microbial processes responsible for the unusually poor water quality of the Berkeley pit lake is presented.     

A Survey of the Geochemistry of Flooded Mine Shaft Water in Butte, Montana

Abstract.  This paper outlines general trends in the geochemistry of the more than 10,000 km of flooded underground mine workings in the Butte mining district. The waters in question range in pH from 4 to 8, are all moderately to strongly reducing, and show a huge range in concentration of dissolved metals such as Al, As, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Metal concentrations and total acidity are highest in the Kelley mine shaft, which was the main dewatering station used to pump ground water from the underground mine complex during active mining operations. In contrast, metal concentrations are much lower in the outer portions of the district where many of the mines contain hydrogen sulfide formed by sulfate-reducing bacteria. In comparison to the other heavy metals, concentrations of Pb and Cu are quite low in the flooded mine shafts. An interesting inverse correlation between pH and water temperature is noted, which may be partly caused by exothermic pyrite oxidation reactions in the central portion of the district.     

Effects of a Barite Mine on Ground Water Quality in Andhra Pradesh,India

Abstract.  An investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of a large barite mining operation on local ground water quality near Mangampeta,Andhra Pradesh, India.Water samples were collected from drinking water wells in the mining and adjacent regions. The drinking water in the mining region had sulphate concentrations that ranged from 211 to 589 mg/L, compared to sulphate concentrations of 25 mg/L or less in the non-mined areas. The natural existence of barite and the widespread mine waste dumps at Mangampeta are believed to be responsible for the higher levels of sulphate in the ground water.     

Using the DRASTIC System to Assess the Vulnerability of Ground Water to Pollution in Mined Areas of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin

Abstract  An attempt was made to use the U.S. EPA DRASTIC ranking system to assess the vulnerability of ground water in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Analysis of the various system components indicate that several DRASTIC factors would have to be modified to consider the effects of mining, subsidence, and ground water rebound.     

Pilot-scale Studies of Different Covers on Unoxidised Sulphide-rich Tailings in Northern Sweden: the Geochemistry of Leachate Waters

Abstract.  Leachate water quality from covered and uncovered unoxidised sulphide-rich tailings in six pilot-scale (5x5x3 m³) test cells was monitored during 2004 and 2005. The covers consisted of a layer of clayey till, sewage sludge, apatite or Trisoplast (a commercial mixture of tailings, bentonite, and a polymer). All layers were protected by an unspecified till except in one reference cell, where the tailings were left open. All leachate waters showed near-neutral pH as a result of neutralization by calcite in the tailings and by Ca(OH)₂ added prior to deposition. Average dissolved sulphur concentrations in the leachates were ≈ 600 mg L^-1, except in the cell with sewage sludge (300 mg L^-1). The source of sulphur was mainly pyrite oxidation, but residual sulphur probably remained from the enrichment process. The near-neutral pH favoured precipitation of metal-(oxy)hydroxides with subsequent removal of trace elements such as Cd, Cu and Pb (< 15 μg L^-1) from the solutions. High concentrations of Co, Mn, Ni, and Zn were found in leachates from the apatite, Trisoplast, and uncovered tailings cells. High As concentrations were found in the leachates in the sewage sludge and clayey till cells. The lowest metal concentrations, redox potential, and highest pH were found in the sewage sludge cell. Decreased elemental metal concentrations during 2004 suggest improved performance over time.     

Geochemistry of Perched Water in an Abandoned Underground Mine, Butte, Montana

Abstract.  The Lexington tunnel is the last accessible underground mine working in the Butte, Montana mining district. Used as recently as 1993, the tunnel and adjacent workings have been abandoned for over 10 years. Although the Lexington tunnel is over 200 m above the regional water table, perched water is present over much of its extent. Mine water near the portal is moderately acidic (pH 4 to 5), with extremely high concentrations of metals, including Cu (up to 1000 mg/L) and Zn (up to 1400 mg/L). In the middle reaches of the tunnel, the quality of the water is much better, with near-neutral pH, high bicarbonate alkalinity, and lower concentrations of heavy metals. The low acidity and metal content is attributed to a lack of pyrite and other sulfides in this portion of the mine, as well as the presence of carbonate minerals, such as rhodochrosite (MnCO₃), in exposed veins. Sulfide minerals are more widespread further back in the tunnel, and are now oxidizing rapidly, leading to pockets of severe acid drainage (pH< 3, dissolved Zn up to 5000 mg/L). Geochemical modeling suggests that the near-neutral waters—the most voluminous type encountered in the Lexington tunnel—are close to equilibrium saturation with rhodochrosite and hydrous Zn-carbonate (ZnCO₃•H₂O). The Eh of these waters is most likely controlled by redox reactions involving dissolved Mn²⁺ and secondary, Zn-rich, hydrous Mn-oxides. In contrast, the Eh of the acidic waters appears to be controlled by reactions involving Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Most of the acidic waters are saturated with K-jarosite, which forms delicate, straw-like dripstones at several localities. Decaying mine timbers could be an important renewable source of organic carbon for heterotrophic microorganisms, such as iron- and sulfate-reducing bacteria, especially deeper in the mine workings where the ground is saturated with anoxic ground water.     

Geochemical and Stable Isotope Evidence for Precipitation and Groundwater Sourcing of Recharge at the Green Valley Site,Vigo County,Indiana

Abstract  We examined the recharge sources of acid mine drainage (AMD) seeps that form at the toe of the coal refuse (gob) pile at a site in Indiana, using traditional geochemistry and oxygen isotopes. AMD from this site has impacted local waterways, and reducing the volume of AMD is a priority. Our observations indicate that there are two main sources of recharge. The first is relatively dilute, isotopically homogenous, geochemically-reducing groundwater that flows up through pre-mining karst-like features beneath the gob pile due to localized, precipitation-induced, hydraulic head. This produces a perched water table above the regional water table. The second source of recharge is oxidizing and isotopically variable meteoric precipitation that percolates through the permeable capping material; a partially buried and abandoned railroad grade may also channel meteoric waters into the pile. During periods of low precipitation, oxygenated pore moisture in the unsaturated zone facilitates AMD generation. During periods of elevated precipitation, these metal-rich pore fluids are flushed through the system by isotopically variable, oxygenated, metal-poor meteoric waters. Each source contributes subequal but variable amounts of recharge waters. The hydraulic conductivity and permeability of the gob pile, as calculated by isotopic lag, is consistent with values for silty to clean unconsolidated sand.Electronic Supplementary Material  Electronic Supplementary Material is available for this article if you access it at     

Water Management Aspects of the Britannia Mine Remediation Project,British Columbia,Canada

Abstract.  The Province of British Columbia, Canada, is undertaking environmental remediation at Britannia Mine, located approximately 45 km north of Vancouver. Britannia Mine operated for 70 years and produced mainly copper and zinc concentrates. During its operating life, and since its closure in 1974, the mine has discharged large volumes of acidic water with elevated concentrations of potentially toxic metals, including copper, zinc, and cadmium. Prior to the recent remedial efforts, metal loadings to Howe Sound averaged 300 kg/day each of copper and zinc. In addition to the acid rock drainage, mine infrastructure and mineral processing activities provide secondary sources of metal contamination of soils, sediments, ground water, and surface water. Effective water management is key to the remedial plan for the mine: ground water and surface water are the primary transport pathways for the metal contamination reaching the local receptors of Britannia and Furry creeks, and Howe Sound. The remedial concept includes diversion of clean water from entering the mine, use of the mine workings as a storage reservoir to balance seasonal flows to a water treatment plant, prior to discharging to Howe Sound via a deep outfall, and the interception of a metal-contaminated ground water plume.     

The Potential Importance of Mine Sites for Biodiversity

Abstract  Abandoned mine sites are typically viewed as environmental problems due to their negative impacts on local ecosystems. This paper presents an alternative viewpoint providing evidence of the potential importance of mine sites for supporting rare and threatened species from many of the major taxonomic orders. The potential importance of these species in remediation of polluted environments is also highlighted.     

Investigating the Potential for Ongoing Pollution from an Abandoned Pyrite Mine

Davis Mine was the largest working pyrite mine in the state of Massachusetts during its lifetime between 1882 and 1911. Since abandonment, a highly-polluting mine water discharge has emerged from the site of an old mine shaft and a waste rock pile and is contaminating the nearby Davis Mine Brook. During the past 90 years, no attempt has been made to implement any pollution abatement measures. This paper assesses the likely current volume of mine waste on the site and compares this figure with the amount of mine waste produced during the lifetime of the mine based on old mine plans and production figures. A simple mass balance model allowed us to compute the loadings of contaminants into Davis Mine Brook and to calculate the ratio of loadings from different sources of pollution, namely the mine shaft discharge and ground water discharge from the waste pile. Results for 2004 indicated that the proportion of mine water flowing from the shaft varies seasonally, with the greatest discharge in spring and lowest in summer. These results allow us to assess the potential lifetime of the discharge if left untreated and determine what flow pathways are important if a treatment scheme were to be implemented at the site.     

Evaluation of the Effluent Water Quality Produced at Phosphate Mines in Central Jordan

Abstract.   The effluent water produced by the washing process at the Al-Hisa and Al-Abyad phosphate mines in central Jordan was investigated in summer 2002. Twenty-four effluent and 10 ground water samples were collected and analyzed. There was a significant difference in water chemistry between input (groundwater) and output (effluent water) but, although the investigated area is highly fractured, the stable isotopic results indicated little or no mixing between the effluent water and groundwater in the area. This is attributed to the precipitation of clay-sized particles along the drainage channel. The quality of the effluent from the Al-Hisa mine was better than at the Al-Abyad mine, with electrical conductivity averaging 1474 µS/cm at Al-Hisa and 3250 µS/cm at Al-Abyad. The difference in effluent quality is attributed to slight lithological differences. At both mines, chloride was the predominant ion in the effluent water, with an average concentration of 669 ppm and 1299 ppm at the Al-Hisa and Al-Abyad mines respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the high-pH effluent water were very low, presumably due to precipitation and absorption onto suspended fine-grained particles. The effluent water from both mines was found to be relatively low in sodium and radiation, and suitable for the irrigation of salt tolerant plants.     

Improving the Accuracy of Geochemical Rock Modelling for Acid Rock Drainage Prevention in Coal Mine

Abstract.   The results of static tests are used to geochemically model the distribution of potentially acid and non-acid forming materials and plan mining excavation and overburden dumping to prevent or minimize the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD). The accuracy of the model depends very much on the amount and validity of the available pre-mine data and how the data is interpreted in both lateral and vertical directions. This results of such modelling was compared with subsequent overburden information provided by analysis of blast hole drill cuttings. We found that the model overestimated the amount of potentially acid forming material, but that it was still useful in ARD prevention.     

Underground Mine Water for Heating and Cooling using Geothermal Heat Pump Systems

Abstract  In many regions of the world, flooded mines are a potentially cost-effective option for heating and cooling using geothermal heat pump systems. For example, a single coal seam in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio contains 5.1 x 10¹² L of water. The growing volume of water discharging from this one coal seam totals 380,000 L/min, which could theoretically heat and cool 20,000 homes. Using the water stored in the mines would conservatively extend this option to an order of magnitude more sites. Based on current energy prices, geothermal heat pump systems using mine water could reduce annual costs for heating by 67% and cooling by 50% over conventional methods (natural gas or heating oil and standard air conditioning).     

Modelling the Long-term Release of Sulphate from Dump Sediments of an Abandoned Open Pit Lignite Mine

Abstract.  The generation of acid drainage from overburden spoil piles at open-pit lignite mines impacts water quality in large parts of the Lusatian mining area in Germany. The Lohsa Mine was exploited until the early 1990s and is to be flooded by 2005. It will then be used as a reservoir basin for the river Spree. Future acidity and sulphate concentrations in the surface water are of great interest because considerable amounts of the bank filtrate of the river are used to supply drinking water to communal water plants downstream. In our study, the input of sulphate from the unsaturated zone of the heap into the groundwater was calculated using the one dimensional reactive transport code SAPY. The SAPY program, which had been calibrated for effective diffusion and tortuosity using oxygen breakthrough curves of a column experiment with original heap sediments, was scaled up to field conditions and verified by measuring the oxygen and sulphate profile of the heap. Scenarios for a period of 80 years were simulated for different distances of the groundwater level to the subsurface, and the mass input of sulphate from the unsaturated zone into the groundwater was calculated in terms of specific fluxes for different times. Plans are to use the calculated source terms in a regional three-dimensional model to predict the evolution of the ground- and surface water in the area.     

Performance of Three Aquatic Plant Species in Bench-scale Acid Mine Drainage Wetland Test Cells

Abstract  We investigated pollutant removal from acid mine drainage (AMD) by three different aquatic plant species (Typha angustifolia, Desmostachya bipinnata, and Sacharum bengalense) in bench-scale wetland test cells of 1 m³. AMD was generated in the laboratory using chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite ore. A substrate containing 75% soil, 20% powdered goat manure, and 5% wood shavings was used in each cell. The performance of the system was evaluated for different water column heights (100, 150, and 200 mm) and for different retention periods (24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 hrs). The performance of the plant species was different for the various metals of AMD; therefore, multi-species plantings should be considered in constructed wetlands.