Mine water management is a broad topic covering a range of specialist sub-disciplines. In this case, mine water management will focus on groundwater, surface water and process water management within the mining environment, on the water management aspects associated with the varied mine residue deposits as well as on the regulations that govern the use, storage, management, etc. of the water resources.
All mines disturb the surface. All mines change the features of the mine site that affect precipitation runoff, evaporation, streamflow, and erosion. All mines involve grading of the site, diversion of runoff, and placement of wastes that increase or decrease infiltration of surface water to the groundwater. Inevitably at a mine it is necessary to capture and control sediments and other pollutants in surface water, and build and operate the works needed to comply with regulations regarding off-site impact by surface waters running from the mine.
This course discusses the principles and practice of surface water management at mines. It describes best management practices for surface water management at a mine in order to achieve the following objectives.
- Control surface water in order to prevent pollution of on-site and off-site water resources.
- Divert excess runoff that may otherwise flood or interfere with mine workings.
- Limit infiltration to mine waste disposal facilities to control potential pollution of surface water and underground waters resulting from excessive infiltration.
- Control erosion of the site to limit sediment runoff that may negatively affect receiving waters.
- Control erosion that may otherwise cause excessive damage to mine closure works.