Numerical simulations to assess thermal potential at Tauranga low-temperature geothermal system,New Zealand

Tauranga low-temperature geothermal system (New Zealand) has been used for the last 40 years for direct uses including space heating, bathing and greenhouses. Warm-water springs in the area are between 22 and 39 °C, with well temperatures up to 67 °C at 750 m depth. A heat and fluid flow model of the system is used to determine reservoir properties and assess thermal potential. The model covers 130 km by 70 km to 2 km depth, and was calibrated against temperatures measured in 17 wells. Modelling shows that to maintain the observed primarily conductive heat flow regime, bulk permeability is ≤2.5?×?10^?14 m² in sedimentary cover and ≤1?×?10^?16 m² in the underlying volcanic rocks. The preferred model (R ²?=?0.9) corresponds to thermal conductivities of 1.25 and 1.8 W/m² for sedimentary and volcanic rocks, respectively, and maximum heat flux of 350 mW/m². The total surface heat flow is 258 MW over 2,200 km². Heat flux is highest under Tauranga City, which may be related to inferred geology. Model simulations give insights into rock properties and the dynamics of heat flow in this low-temperature geothermal system, and provide a basis to estimate the effects of extracting hot fluid.     

Using numerical simulation for the prediction of mine dewatering from a karst water system underlying the coal seam in the Yuxian Basin,Northern China

Water inrush from a karst aquifer threatens mine safety in North China because of the special hydrogeological conditions. This paper systematically analyzes the regional hydrogeological conditions of the Cambrian–Ordovician limestone karst aquifer in the Yuxian Basin. Conceptual and mathematical models of karst water flow system are established, and the karst water flow system is simulated by the finite-difference method. The numerical model is checked using hydraulic head from karst water observation holes, and the sensitivity of hydrogeological parameters is analyzed. Further, the risk of water inrush from the karst aquifer underlying the coal seam in the second mining area of the Beiyangzhuang Mine in the basin is evaluated by the water inrush coefficient method. Based on the critical hydraulic head for mining safety, the rate of mine dewatering is simulated for the three stages of the mining plan with the numerical model. The results show that the risk of water inrush in the second mining area is high. The rate of dewatering in the three stages without grouting is 1300, 1860, and 2050 m³/h, respectively, and with local grouting is 1020, 1550, and 1700 m³/h, respectively. Dewatering combined with grouting not only ensures coal mine safety, but also significantly reduces the rate of dewatering. The prediction method of mine dewatering has practical significance in engineering applications.     

Environmental geochemistry of the derelict Webbs Consols mine,New South Wales,Australia

Small-scale mining and mineral processing at the Webbs Consols polymetallic PbZnAg deposit in northern New South Wales, Australia has caused a significant environmental impact on streams, soils and vegetation. Unconfined waste rock dumps and tailings dams are the source of the problems. The partly oxidised sulphidic mine wastes contain abundant sulphides (arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena) and oxidation products (scorodite, anglesite, smectite, Fe-oxyhydroxides), and possess extreme As and Pb (wt% levels) and elevated Ag, Cd, Cu, Sb and Zn values. Contemporary sulphide oxidation, hardpan formation, crystallisation of mineral efflorescences and acid mine drainage generation occur within the waste repositories. Acid seepages (pH 1.9–6.0) from waste dumps, tailings dams and mine workings display extreme As, Pb and Zn and elevated Cd, Cu and Sb contents. Drainage from the area is by the strongly contaminated Webbs Consols Creek and although this stream joins and is diluted by the much larger Severn River, contamination of water and stream sediments in the latter is evident for 1–5 km, and 12 km respectively, downstream of the mine site. The pronounced contamination of local and regional soils and sediments, despite the relatively small scale of the former operation, is due to the high metal tenor of abandoned waste material and the scarcity of neutralising minerals. Any rehabilitation plan of the site should include the relocation of waste materials to higher ground and capping, with only partial neutralisation of the waste to pH 4–5 in order to limit potential dissolution of scorodite and mobilisation of As into seepages and stream waters.     

Influence of permeability in modeling of reservoir triggered seismicity in Koyna region,western India

The Koyna region located in the west coast of India is a classic example of reservoir triggered seismicity (RTS) that started soon after the impoundment of the Koyna reservoir in 1962. Previous studies have shown that RTS can be explained in terms of stress and pore pressure changes due to poroelastic response of the rock matrix. The permeability of rock matrix is a key parameter for pore pressure diffusion which is mainly responsible for generation of stress perturbation related to seismicity. Based on the poroelastic theory, we employ 2-D finite element models to simulate the evolution of pore pressure up to 5 years after the reservoir impoundment in 1962, using a range in permeability, 10^?16–10^?14 m². Constraints on material properties of Deccan basalt and granitic rocks were taken from available studies. The results show the formation of pore pressure front and its propagation with depth and time since the reservoir impoundment as a function of permeability. While a permeability of 10^?16 m² does not produce any significant change in pore pressure, a ten-fold increase in permeability produces significant changes up to a depth of 2 km only beneath the reservoir after 5 years of impoundment. Permeability values between 10^?15 m² and 10^?14 m² are required to induce critical pore pressure changes in the range 0.1–1 MPa up to depth of 10 km, capable of triggering earthquakes in a critically stressed region. Studies on core samples of granitic basement rock down to a depth of 1522 m in the Koyna region provide evidences of fracture zones that may contribute to water channelization. Direct measurements of material properties through the ongoing deep drilling programme would help to develop more realistic models of RTS.     

A review of the thermal regime of the Eastern Alps with respect to the effects of paleoclimate and exhumation

Transient thermal signals such as Pleistocene surface temperature variations or exhumation of great rock volumes are important for the current thermal regime of the Eastern Alpine crust. In this study transient 1-D forward simulations and an analytical approach were used to estimate the order of magnitude of these effects. A comparison with numerical forward simulations and inverse analyses of steady-state heat conduction yields the following main conclusions with respect to the thermal regime of the Eastern Alps along the TRANSALP profile: (1) The change of surface temperatures in the past affects mainly the uppermost part of the Eastern Alpine crust. It results in a maximum thermal signature of more than − 6 K at a depth of 2 km. The deviations from a steady-state temperature gradient and heat flow in the region of the Tauern Window range from 0.3–4 K km^− 1 and 0–6 mW m^− 2, respectively, with maximum values at the surface. (2) Exhumation of the Eastern Alpine lithosphere may result in a thermal signature of up to 4 K at a depth of 1 km. The thermal signature increases further with depth to a maximum of approximately 80 K at a depth of 50 km. As the temperature gradient of the exhumation signal is almost zero at the base of the crust, Moho heat flow appears to be not critically perturbed. (3) The combined effect of exhumation and changing surface temperatures at the Tauern Window amounts to less than 15% of the steady-state temperatures at a depth of  8 km and to less than 10% at the base of Eastern Alpine root. The corresponding perturbation in heat flow is less than 20% at a depth of 4 km, approaching zero below 40 km.     

Investigating hydraulic connections and the origin of water in a mine tunnel using stable isotopes and hydrographs

Turquoise Lake is a water-supply reservoir located north of the historic Sugarloaf Mining district near Leadville, Colorado, USA. Elevated water levels in the reservoir may increase flow of low-quality water from abandoned mine tunnels in the Sugarloaf District and degrade water quality downstream. The objective of this study was to understand the sources of water to Dinero mine drainage tunnel and evaluate whether or not there was a direct hydrologic connection between Dinero mine tunnel and Turquoise Lake from late 2002 to early 2008. This study utilized hydrograph data from nearby draining mine tunnels and the lake, and stable isotope (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) data from the lake, nearby draining mine tunnels, imported water, and springs to characterize water sources in the study area. Hydrograph results indicate that flow from the Dinero mine tunnel decreased 26% (2006) and 10% (2007) when lake elevation (above mean sea level) decreased below approximately 3004 m (approximately 9855 feet). Results of isotope analysis delineated two meteoric water lines in the study area. One line characterizes surface water and water imported to the study area from the western side of the Continental Divide. The other line characterizes groundwater including draining mine tunnels, springs, and seeps. Isotope mixing calculations indicate that water from Turquoise Lake or seasonal groundwater recharge from snowmelt represents approximately 10% or less of the water in Dinero mine tunnel. However, most of the water in Dinero mine tunnel is from deep groundwater having minimal isotopic variation. The asymmetric shape of the Dinero mine tunnel hydrograph may indicate that a limited mine pool exists behind a collapse in the tunnel and attenutates seasonal recharge. Alternatively, a conceptual model is presented (and supported with MODFLOW simulations) that is consistent with current and previous data collected in the study area, and illustrates how fluctuating lake levels change the local water-table elevation which can affect discharge from the Dinero mine tunnel without physical transfer of water between the two locations.     

豫西熊耳山地区重磁场特征与深部成矿预测

熊耳山地区是河南省重要的金银铅锌钼多金属矿产地,现已查明各类矿床(点)121个。通过研究发现,该区多金属矿产的形成与中生代中酸性岩浆的侵入活动关系密切,现有矿床分布比较集中的区域,深部都有隐伏岩体赋存。通过对熊耳山地区重磁场特征的分析,建立了熊耳山地区隐伏岩体侵入模型。熊耳山西段主要是寨凹隐伏岩体,赋存面积约310 km2,分3个阶梯深度:0~0.8 km、0.8~2 km、2~4 km;熊耳山中段铁炉坪-花山隐伏岩体位于寨凹隐伏岩体和花山岩体之间,赋存面积约184 km2,深度3~5 km;熊耳山东段旧县-花山隐伏岩体,赋存面积约338 km2,北部深度0~1.5km,向南逐步加深至1.5~3 km。根据区域矿产分布分带特征,结合隐伏岩体侵入模型,预测了深部成矿模型。研究表明,在熊耳山西段有寻找大型斑岩型钼钨铜矿和大型金矿的潜力;中段隐伏岩体深度较大,以寻找中低温矿产为主;东段地质勘查程度相对较高,深部仍有寻找斑岩型钼金铜矿的潜力。     

Evaluation of Hydrological Components Using Hydrological Model SWAT for Malaprabha Subbasin

During the pre-nationalisation period due to unscientific mining, large number of old workings exist below important structures at various coal fields in India. Mostly these old workings exist below National Highways and Railway track. These workings are generally at shallow depth. It has been observed that subsidence and pot holing are common in those areas. As a result the safety of vehicles and passenger trains plying over these areas endangered. Since the old workings are more than 60 years old in most of the cases the proper plan and survey documents are not available. So it is extremely difficult to exactly locate the underground mine workings/galleries/voids from the surface such that precautionary measures can be initiated for the safety of roads and railway tracks. Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has indicated that there may be some old workings below the national highway (NH-2) near Dalmia colliery of SalanpurArea of ECL. The most sophisticated system, MineVue Radar was used for delineation of abandoned mine workings or mine galleries below NH-2. Two voids of size 1.8 m height at depth of 40 m and another of size 1.35 m height at a depth of 33.5 m were delineated and confirmed using direct core drilling method. After that, Mine management was informed about these voids to take precautionary measures for the safety of NH-2. Thus, this system has played an important role for the safety of important surface structures. This paper deals the application of MineVue radar system for delineation of mine galleries below NH-2.     

Geochemistry and stable isotope composition of the Berkeley pit lake and surrounding mine waters,Butte, Montana

Samples of mine water from Butte, Montana were collected for paired geochemical and stable isotopic analysis. The samples included two sets of depth profiles from the acidic Berkeley pit lake, deep groundwater from several mine shafts in the adjacent flooded underground mine workings, and the acidic Horseshoe Bend Spring. Beginning in July-2000, the spring was a major surface water input into the Berkeley pit lake. Vertical trends in major ions and heavy metals in the pit lake show major changes across a chemocline at 10–20 m depth. The chemocline most likely represents the boundary between pre-2000 and post-2000 lake water, with lower salinity, modified Horseshoe Bend Spring water on top of higher salinity lake water below. Based on stable isotope results, the deep pit lake has lost approximately 12% of its initial water to evaporation, while the shallow lake is up to 25% evaporated. The stable isotopic composition of SO₄ in the pit lake is similar to that of Horseshoe Bend Spring, but differs markedly from SO₄ in the surrounding flooded mine shafts. The latter is heavier in both δ³⁴S and δ¹⁸O, which may be due to dissolution of hypogene SO₄ minerals (anhydrite, gypsum, barite) in the ore deposit. The isotopic and geochemical evidence suggests that much of the SO₄ and dissolved heavy metals in the deep Berkeley pit lake were generated in situ, either by leaching of soluble salts from the weathered pit walls as the lake waters rose, or by subaqueous oxidation of pyrite on the submerged mine walls by dissolved Fe(III). Laboratory experiments were performed to contrast the isotopic composition of SO₄ formed by aerobic leaching of weathered wallrock vs. SO₄ from anaerobic pyrite oxidation. The results suggest that both processes were likely important in the evolution of the Berkeley pit lake.     

预应力锚索在垮岩山危岩治理工程的应用

预应力锚索技术广泛运用于公路、铁路、水电站、矿山井巷、隧道工程、地质灾害等永久性边坡加固，施工技术日趋完善。该方法具有造价低、工期短，施工便捷等优点。本文以预应力锚索施工技术在垮岩山危岩灾害治理中的成功实例，介绍了危岩发育地质环境条件、治理方案、施工工艺，总结了施工经验，对同类工程具有参考价值。     

Temporal variation and the effect of rainfall on metals flux from the historic Beatson mine,Prince William Sound,Alaska, USA

Several abandoned Cu mines are located along the shore of Prince William Sound, AK, where the effect of mining-related discharge upon shoreline ecosystems is unknown. To determine the magnitude of this effect at the former Beatson mine, the largest Cu mine in the region and a Besshi-type massive sulfide ore deposit, trace metal concentration and flux were measured in surface run-off from remnant, mineralized workings and waste. Samples were collected from seepage waters; a remnant glory hole which is now a pit lake; a braided stream draining an area of mineralized rock, underground mine workings, and waste piles; and a background location upstream of the mine workings and mineralized rock. In the background stream pH averaged ∼7.3, specific conductivity (SC) was ∼40 μS/cm, and the aqueous components indicative of sulfide mineral weathering, SO₄ and trace metals, were at detection limits or lower. In the braided stream below the mine workings and waste piles, pH usually varied from 6.7 to 7.1, SC varied from 40 to 120 μS/cm, SO₄ had maximum concentrations of 32 mg/L, and the trace metals Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed maximum total acid extractable concentrations of 186, 5.9, 6.2 and 343 μg/L, respectively.     

Hydrochemistry,multidimensional statistics,and rock mechanics investigations for Sanshandao Gold Mine,China

Prediction of bursting water in a submarine mine (Sanshandao Gold Mine) is very important. The aim of this study was to understand the water sources, mixing ratios, and flow paths in a mining region by using hydrochemistry, principal component analysis (PCA), and rock mechanics. Field observations reveal that there are unusual geothermal gradients and complicated geological conditions. Samples collected from the surface and every depth of the tunnel were analyzed for various ions and isotopes (¹⁸O and D). PCA was used to identify the most likely water sources on the foundation of hydrochemistry and a conceptual model. Four kinds of water sources were identified: (1) water mixture of surface freshwater and seawater, (2) brine derived from a deep closed environment, (3) thermal brine derived from the northwestern fault (F3), and (4) Quaternary water. The water sources were variable with time at a sampling site. The combination of water sources in a specific sampling campaign can be decided by the positive scores on principal components (PCs). The PCA results indicate that the first and the fourth kind of water source appear in the deep tunnel with the continual mining activity. Mixing ratio calculations for each sampling campaign show that the first and the fourth kind of water source constitute a small proportion of the total water. The main water sources are the second and third kinds of water. Finally, water flow paths were determined based on the PCA, and rock mechanics is used to explain the change in the water flow paths after excavation. The results show the following: (1) There are several strong water diversion zones that distribute at a certain spacing interval on the large scale and (2) “zonal disintegration” is also found in the tunnel. The fractured zone and the non-fractured zone appear in turn around the tunnel. The rock mass in these two zones represents the tensile and compressive properties, respectively. Thus, volumes of water and permeability of joints and fractures in these two zones are great different.     

EH4法勘查祥云米甸煤矿隐伏塌陷区效果

运用EH4电磁测深法布置剖面,结合岩矿石电性参数及地质资料分析,对剖面实测数据进行反演,较准确地识别出隐伏塌陷区、煤矿采空区及松散浮土层等地质异常区域及范围,较好地确定可能的地质灾害。     

Evaluation of the groundwaters from the Stripa mine using stable chlorine isotopes

Groundwater samples and a rock leachate sample from the Stripa mine and south central Sweden have been analysed for their δ³⁷Cl values. Results reveal that the salinity found at depth in the groundwater is most likely derived form water–rock interaction. The overall distribution is one of δ³⁷Cl enrichment with depth and with chloride concentration. This trend is comparable to other sites in the Fennoscandian Shield where it is believed that deep groundwaters derive their δ³⁷Cl values from the local bedrock.     

THE CAUSE OF FORMATION OF THE LAYERS WITH LOW VELOCITY AND HIGH ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN WESTERN TIBET

THE CAUSE OF FORMATION OF THE LAYERS WITH LOW VELOCITY AND HIGH ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN WESTERN TIBET     

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 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.     

Young orogenic gold mineralisation in active collisional mountains, Taiwan

Gold-bearing vein systems in the high mountains of Taiwan are part of the youngest tectonic-hydrothermal system on Earth. Tectonic collision initiated in the Pliocene has stacked Eocene–Miocene marine sedimentary rocks to form steep mountains nearly 4 km high. Thinner portions of the sedimentary pile (∼5 km) are currently producing hydrocarbons in a fold and thrust belt, and orogenic gold occurs in quartz veins in thicker parts of the pile (∼10 km) in the Slate Belt that underlies the mountains. Metamorphic fluids (2–5 wt.% NaCl equivalent) are rising from the active greenschist facies metamorphic zone and transporting gold released during rock recrystallisation. Metamorphic fluid flow at the Pingfengshan historic gold mine was focussed in well-defined (4 km³) fracture zones with networks of quartz veins, whereas large surrounding volumes of rock are largely unveined. Gold and arsenopyrite occur in several superimposed vein generations, with ankeritic alteration of host rocks superimposed on chlorite–calcite alteration zones as fluids cooled and became out of equilibrium with the host rocks. Mineralising fluids had δ¹⁸O near +10‰, δ¹³C was between −1‰ and −6‰ and these fluids were in isotopic equilibrium with host rocks at ∼350°C. Ankeritic veins were emplaced in extensional sites in kink fold axial surfaces, formed as the rock mass was transported laterally from compressional to extensional regimes in the orogen. Rapid exhumation (>2 mm/year) of the Slate Belt is causing a widespread shallow conductive thermal anomaly without igneous intrusions. Meteoric water is penetrating into the conductive thermal anomaly to contribute to crustal fluid flow and generate shallow boiling fluids (∼250°C) with fluid temperature greater than rock temperature. The meteoric-hydrothermal system impinges on, but causes only minor dilution of, the gold mineralisation system at depth.     

深埋长大隧洞围岩非线性蠕变模型研究

针对锦屏二级水电站深埋长大隧洞（埋深为2 525 m,长为19 km,宽为13 m）围岩在开挖过程中呈现明显的流变劣化特征,采用CSS-283双向万能伺服试验机,对洞室围岩（软弱板岩）进行单轴压缩蠕变试验和剪切蠕变试验,引入流变参数是时间函数与强化函数,建立岩石非定常参数剪切蠕变模型和单轴压缩蠕变模型,并推广到三轴非线性流变模型,与试验结果对比基本吻合。最后,结合锦屏二级水电站深埋长大隧洞进行数值计算,得到该隧洞190 d开挖运行变形规律,以期为工程建设提供理论指导。     

Groundwater age,mixing and flow rates in the vicinity of large open pit mines,Pilbara region,northwestern Australia

Determining groundwater ages from environmental tracer concentrations measured on samples obtained from open bores or long-screened intervals is fraught with difficulty because the sampled water represents a variety of ages. A multi-tracer technique (Cl, ¹⁴C, ³H, CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113 and SF₆) was used to decipher the groundwater ages sampled from long-screened production bores in a regional aquifer around an open pit mine in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia. The changes in tracer concentrations due to continuous dewatering over 7 years (2008–2014) were examined, and the tracer methods were compared. Tracer concentrations suggest that groundwater samples are a mixture of young and old water; the former is inferred to represent localised recharge from an adjacent creek, and the latter to be diffuse recharge. An increase in ¹⁴C activity with time in wells closest to the creek suggests that dewatering of the open pit to achieve dry mining conditions has resulted in change in flow direction, so that localised recharge from the creek now forms a larger proportion of the pumped groundwater. The recharge rate prior to development, calculated from a steady-state Cl mass balance, is 6 mm/y, and is consistent with calculations based on the ¹⁴C activity. Changes in CFC-12 concentrations with time may be related to the change in water-table position relative to the depth of the well screen.