Three-dimensional hydrogeological modeling to assess the elevated-water-table technique for controlling acid generation from an abandoned tailings site in Quebec,Canada

The Manitou Mine sulphidic-tailings storage facility No. 2, near Val D’Or, Canada, was reclaimed in 2009 by elevating the water table and applying a monolayer cover made of tailings from nearby Goldex Mine. Previous studies showed that production of acid mine drainage can be controlled by lowering the oxygen flux through Manitou tailings with a water table maintained at the interface between the cover and reactive tailings. Simulations of different scenarios were performed using numerical hydrogeological modeling to evaluate the capacity of the reclamation works to maintain the phreatic surface at this interface. A large-scale numerical model was constructed and calibrated using 3 years of field measurements. This model reproduced the field measurements, including the existence of a western zone on the site where the phreatic level targeted is not always met during the summer. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the response of the model to varying saturated hydraulic conductivities, porosities, and grain-size distributions. Higher variations of the hydraulic heads, with respect to the calibrated scenario results, were observed when simulating a looser or coarser cover material. Long-term responses were simulated using: the normal climatic data, data for a normal climate with a 2-month dry spell, and a simplified climate-change case. Environmental quality targets were reached less frequently during summer for the dry spell simulation as well as for the simplified climate-change scenario. This study illustrates how numerical simulations can be used as a key tool to assess the eventual performance of various mine-site reclamation scenarios.

     

A laboratory study of covers made of low-sulphide tailings to prevent acid mine drainage

Covers with capillary barrier effects (CCBE) are considered to be one of the most effective ways to control acid mine drainage (AMD) production from mine wastes. The use of low-sulphide tailings in CCBE has been proposed recently for cases where other types of material may be unavailable near the mining site. This paper presents leaching column test results showing that CCBEs with a moisture-retaining layer made of slightly reactive tailings, with three different sulphide contents, can effectively limit the production of AMD from the acid-generating tailings placed underneath. With these layered covers, the leachate pH was maintained near neutrality throughout the testing period. When compared to uncovered tailings, the efficiency of the cover systems for reducing the amount of contaminants in the percolated water was determined to be greater than 99% for zinc, copper and iron. This study shows that the use of low-sulphide tailings can improve the ability of a CCBE to limit gas diffusion by consuming a fraction of the migrating oxygen.     

Reactive transport modelling of mine tailings columns with capillarity-induced high water saturation for preventing sulfide oxidation

A series of laboratory column tests on reactive mine tailings was numerically simulated to study the effect of high water saturation on preventing sulfide mineral oxidation and acid mine drainage (AMD). The approach, also known as an elevated water table (EWT), is a promising alternative to full water covers for the management and closure of sulfidic tailings impoundments and for the long term control of acid mine drainage. The instrumented columns contained reactive tailings from the Louvicourt mine, Quebec, and were overlain by a protective sand cover. Over a 13–19 month period, the columns were exposed to atmospheric O₂ and flushed approximately every month with demineralized water. A free draining control column with no sand cover was also used. During each cycle, water table elevations were controlled by fixing the pressure at the column base and drainage water was collected and analyzed for pH and Eh, major ions, and dissolved metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Mg). The columns were simulated using the multi-component reactive transport model MIN3P which solves the coupled nonlinear equations for transient water flow, O₂ diffusion, advective–dispersive transport and kinetic geochemical reactions. Physical properties and mineralogical compositions for the material layers were obtained from independent laboratory data. The simulated and observed data showed that as the water table elevation increased, the effluent pH became more neutral and SO₄ and dissolved metal concentrations decreased by factors on the order of 10²–10³. It is concluded that water table depths less than or equal to one-half of the air entry value (AEV) can keep mine tailings sufficiently saturated over the long term, thus reducing sulfide oxidation and AMD production.     

不同类型下边界条件对模拟灌溉农田水分渗漏的影响

以田间试验为基础,采用土壤水动力学模型,分别以自由排水、负压水头和地下水埋深三种情况作为下边界,模拟计算了灌溉农田1998年10月-2001年9月期间2 m土体的水分渗漏情况。采用地下水埋深下边界时所得到的剖面分层土壤含水量的模拟值与实测值都比较吻合,而采用自由排水和负压水头下边界时均存在不同程度的偏差。通过与定位通量法估算的水分渗漏动态及累积渗漏量做进一步比较,发现采用地下水埋深下边界时其水分渗漏的动态变化趋势与定位通量法基本一致,因此模型采用地下水埋深作为下边界比较符合当地的实际情况。     

Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the Old Tailings Dam,Australia: Evaluating the effectiveness of a water cover for long-term AMD control

Establishing a shallow water cover over tailings deposited in a designated storage facility is one option to limit oxygen diffusion and retard oxidation of sulfides which have the potential to form acid mine drainage (AMD). The Old Tailings Dam (OTD) located at the Savage River mine, western Tasmania contains 38 million tonnes of pyritic tailings deposited from 1967 to 1982, and is actively generating AMD. The OTD was constructed on a natural gradient, resulting in sub-aerial exposure of the southern area, with the northern area under a natural water cover. This physical contrast allowed for the examination of tailings mineralogy and geochemistry as a function of water cover depth across the OTD. Tailings samples (n = 144, depth: ≤ 1.5 m) were collected and subjected to a range of geochemical and mineralogical evaluations. Tailings from the southern and northern extents of the OTD showed similar AMD potential based on geochemical (NAG pH range: 2.1 to 4.2) and bulk mineralogical parameters, particularly at depth. However, sulfide alteration index (SAI) assessments highlighted the microscale contrast in oxidation. In the sub-aerial zone pyrite grains are moderately oxidized to a depth of 0.3 m (maximum SAI of 6/10), under both gravel fill and oxidized covers, with secondary minerals (e.g., ferrihydrite and goethite) developed along rims and fractures. Beneath this, mildly oxidized pyrite is seen in fresh tailings (SAI = 2.9/10 to 5.8/10). In the sub-aqueous zone, the degree of pyrite oxidation demonstrates a direct relationship with cover depth, with unoxidized, potentially reactive tailings identified from 2.5 m, directly beneath an organic-rich sediment layer (SAI = 0 to 1/10). These findings are broadly similar to other tailings storage facilities e.g., Fox Lake, Sherritt-Gordon ZnCu mine, Canada and Stekenjokk mine, Sweden where water covers up to 2 m have successfully reduced AMD. Whilst geotechnical properties of the OTD restrict the extension of the water cover, pyrite is enriched in cobalt (up to 2.6 wt%) indicating reprocessing of tailings as an alternative management option. Through adoption of an integrated mineralogical and geochemical characterization approach for tailings assessment robust management strategies after mine closure can be developed.     

基于土柱排水实验探讨潜水含水层给水度的影响因素

给水度是重要的水文地质参数之一,为探讨潜水含水层给水度的影响因素,设计均质粗砂、均质细砂、上细下粗、上粗下细4种土柱的排水实验,按照一定间距分段降低地下水位,每段降深设计不同排水时间,求取不同水位埋深的给水度.当地下水位埋深小于支持毛细水高度,给水度受地下水位埋深影响显著,其关系可以用非线性函数来表示.排水时间越长,给水度越大,当土柱分段排水时间超过1 h,给水度值稳定.0.6~0.9 mm粒径的粗砂给水度大于0.2~0.4 mm的细砂;当地下水位在土层分界面下20 cm时,上细下粗土柱给水度显著增大,上粗下细土柱给水度显著减小.给水度的大小与地下水位埋深、排水时间、岩土颗粒和潜水面附近及之上非均质结构等因素有关.      

降雨入渗补给灵敏度及其计算方法研究

对两类降雨入渗计算模型进行了研究：①简单的水量平衡模型；②数值模拟模型。这两类模型的假定条件和非饱和的理论概念差别很大。两类模型在非饱和区中的应用表明，在非饱和区均质土壤条件下，水量平衡模型计算的降雨入渗补给量与应用数值模拟模型计算所得结果基本相吻合。灵敏度分析表明了地下水位变动对降雨入渗补给的影响。假定地下水位不变所造成的误差可作为水文地质参数的一个函数来处理。本文研究成果在一定水文地质条件下的非饱和水流模型、饱和水流模型或排水模型系统计算中具有十分重要的参考应用价值。     

双鸭山矿区矿井充水规律研究

根据双鸭山矿区的水文地质条件及多年生产实践资料(矿井涌水量与其相关因素——地貌、采掘深度、回采面积、巷道长度、岩性、构造、降雨的关系),阐述了矿区充水的一般规律,提出了含水砂层覆盖下采区进行水文地质勘探的重点及开采含水砂层覆盖下煤炭资源的主要防治水措施,对同类水文地质条件矿井开采煤炭资源具有可借鉴意义。     

Physically based hydrogeological and slope stability modeling of the Turaida castle mound

This study explores the potential of integrating state-of-the-art physically based hydrogeological modeling into slope stability simulations to identify the hydrogeological triggers of landslides. Hydrogeological models considering detailed morphological, lithological, and climatic factors were elaborated. Groundwater modeling reveals locations with elevated pore water pressures in the subsurface and allows the quantification of temporal dynamics of the pore water pressures. Results of the hydrogeological modeling were subsequently applied as boundary conditions for the slope stability simulations. The numerical models illustrate that the hydrogeological impacts affecting hillslope stability are strongly controlled by local groundwater flow conditions and their conceptualization approach in the hydrogeological model. Groundwater flow itself is heavily influenced by the inherent geological conditions and the dynamics of climatic forcing. Therefore, both detailed investigation of the landslide’s hydrogeology and appropriate conceptualization and scaling of hydrogeological settings in a numerical model are essential to avoid an underestimation of the landslide risk. The study demonstrates the large potential in combining state-of-the-art computational hydrology with slope stability modeling in real-world cases.     

侏罗系宝塔山砂岩水文地质特征与解危开采研究——以新上海一号煤矿为例

西部矿区是我国重要的能源战略基地,侏罗纪煤田可采煤层多、资源储量丰富,中下组煤受“宝塔山砂岩”含水层严重威胁,但目前国内对该含水层研究较少、资料匮乏。以新上海一号煤矿“11·25 ”突水事故为例,采用延深排水钻孔、水文地质补充勘探、井下放水试验等手段,查明该含水层具有沉积结构复杂、富水性不均、静储量丰富、水头高、水压大、容易疏放等特点;通过安全隔水层厚度计算,说明“ 11·25”事故突水原因。SEM镜下显示砂岩为泥质胶结,块状结构,内生孔隙发育。以砂岩总厚度、砂地比、单位涌水量、渗透系数为主控因素,分析含水层富水性规律;预计正常情况下开采涌水量1 200.7 m3/h,最大涌水量1 860.84 m3/h,超出矿井排水能力。在水文地质单元边界条件分析的基础上,利用Visual MODFLOW建立非稳定渗流场三维数值模型,模拟4个放水阶段的解危效果,结果表明,历时215 d,放水量约487.6万m3,一分区18煤突水危险可以解除。      

Numerical simulation and land subsidence control for deep foundation pit dewatering of Longyang Road Station on Shanghai Metro Line 18

In terms of controlling groundwater in deep foundation pit projects, the usual methods include increasing the curtain depth, reducing the amount of pumped groundwater, and implementing integrated control, in order to reduce the drawdown and land subsidence outside pits. In dewatering design for confined water, factors including drawdown requirements, the thickness of aquifers, the depth of dewatering wells and the depth of cutoff curtains have to be considered comprehensively and numerical simulations are generally conducted for calculation and analysis. Longyang Road Station on Shanghai Metro Line 18 is taken as the case study subject in this paper, a groundwater seepage model is developed according to the on-site engineering geological conditions and hydrogeological conditions, the excavation depth of the foundation pit as well as the design depth of the enclosure, hydrogeological parameters are determined via the pumping test, and the foundation pit dewatering is simulated by means of the three-dimensional finite difference method, which produces numerical results that consistent with real monitoring data as to the groundwater table. Besides, the drawdown and the land subsidence both inside and outside the pit caused by foundation pit dewatering are calculated and analyzed for various curtain depths. This study reveals that the drawdown and the land subsidence change faster near the curtain with the increase in the curtain depth, and the gradient of drawdown and land subsidence changes dwindles beyond certain depths. In this project, the curtain depth of 47/49 m is adopted, and a drawdown-land subsidence verification test is completed given hanging curtains before the excavation. The result turns out that the real measurements basically match the calculation results from the numerical simulation, and by increasing the depth of curtains, the land subsidence resulting from dewatering is effectively controlled.     

Mechanism of the water invasion of Gaoyang Iron Mine,China and its impacts on the mine groundwater environment

With the development of mining of iron deposits in China, groundwater invasion and the impacts of groundwater drainage, such as regional groundwater table lowering, overlapping cones of depression, subsidence, and water quality deterioration are environmental problems which endanger mining production and human life. Effective prevention of water invasion or timely determination of the mechanism of water bursting and rational design of drainage plans are the most urgent mining challenges. The mechanism of water invasion and the environment impacts on the groundwater system of the Gaoyang Iron Mine, China were dealt with in this paper. A systematical investigation of the hydrogeological conditions and monitoring of groundwater dynamics of the mine were completed. Results show that the limestone of the middle Ordovician System constitutes the under floor of the iron deposit. This limestone is the main source of water invasion into the mine. Groundwater dynamic equilibrium conditions are broken due to mine drainage. Water invasion and drainage have caused a serious impact on the groundwater environment of the area.     

鄂尔多斯盆地都思兔河流域白垩系含水层特征及供水前景分析

在鄂尔多斯盆地都思兔河流域供水水文地质详查的基础上,通过水文地质钻探、抽水试验、样品分析等手段,查明了流域含水层的结构、埋深以及含水层和隔水层在水平和垂直方向上的变化规律,探讨了各含水层之间的水力联系,并求取了含水层的水文地质参数;对比圈定了包乐浩晓、巴彦布拉格、好勒包勒吉3处富水区;采用地下水流数值模拟方法对上述3处富水区地下水开采量进行计算,提出了27种地下水开采方案,并经过对比得到地下水开采推荐方案。结果表明：包乐浩晓、巴彦布拉格、好勒包勒吉3处富水区主要补给为侧向径流及大气降水入渗补给,排泄方式以潜水面蒸发及向河流排泄为主;在地下水浅埋区,结合含水层单井涌水量的大小,确定采用管井开采方式、中段悬挂式非完整井结构,平均布井,井深300m,单一开采白垩系环河组的地下水,最大限度夺取潜水蒸发排泄量;根据推荐方案,上述3个富水区总开采量达到123500m3／d,可为该地区地下水资源开发与利用提供技术保障。     

Acid drainage reassessment of mining tailings,Black Swan Nickel Mine,Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

This paper describes the geochemical testing of mine tailings sourced from the Black Swan Ni Mine located near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Acid–base accounting was used to provide an indication of the acid generating capacity of two kinds of mining tailings: disseminated-ore tailings from the Cygnet Tailings Dam Storage Facility (CTDSF) and massive-ore tailings from the Silver Swan Tailings Dam Storage Facility (SSTDSF). All of the tailings in SSTDSF have acid generating potential which is consistent with previous research reports. New findings in this paper reveal that approximately 16% of the tailings in CTDSF have the potential to be acid generating. In contrast, previous reports state that the disseminated-ore tailings are classified as non-acid forming. Most of the potential acid generating tailings in the CTDSF are found in the upper-middle sections of the tailings profile, but some are located at the bottom of the tailings dam. The upper-middle section of the tailings is oxidized because these tailings have interacted with atmospheric O₂ and rain and surface water. Oxidation of the bottom tailings in the CTDSF may be due to infiltration of ground water into hidden fractures under the east bank of CTDSF, which caused these tailings to oxidize under closed and reduced conditions.The acid drainage in the tailings dam storage facility was observed 3 a, after the development of the Black Swan Nickel project. This delayed production of acid drainage was likely due to the slow rates of acid neutralization provided by alteration gouge minerals such as Mg/Fe-carbonates (magnesite–siderite series) associated with the Ni ores. The acid drainage leaking from the tailings dams has contaminated neighboring ground water via increased acidity and heavy metals.Because of the potential acid generation in some of the disseminated ore tailings, it is inadvisable to use disseminated ore tailings as cover materials in the storage facility to isolate the underlying potentially-acid-forming tailings from O₂ and water, as proposed by previous research reports.     

煤层底板破坏的断层效应模拟及其在防治水中的应用

梁北煤矿已发生5 次寒武系灰岩底板突水事故,造成重大经济损失。根据矿井的水文地质条件,建立了煤层开采的FLAC 数值模型,利用岩石力学及渗流力学理论,分别模拟了无断层和有断层条件下煤层底板采动破坏带的演化规律,重点讨论了断裂深度及断层空间位置对底板破坏深度的影响。结果表明,断层的存在可使底板采动破坏深度增加20%~33%,断层是突水重点防范区域,遇断层前10 m 直到过断层15 m 须加强防治水工作。根据模拟结果设计了梁北矿11041, 11151,11111 三个工作面底板的注浆加固工程,重点注浆层位分别为底板破坏范围和寒武系顶部裂隙发育带,注浆工程增强了底板的阻水能力,实现了工作面的安全回采。     

浅埋深地下水作用下苏打盐渍土水分动态变化特征

文章利用野外试验设施分别把地下水埋深控制在1.0,1.4,1.8,2.2和2.5m,研究在不同地下水埋深作用下苏打盐渍土土壤水分平衡和水分动态变化。同时,跟踪在地下水位不断波动条件下田间土壤水分的动态变化。结果表明:地下水埋深在1.0~2.5m时,苏打盐渍土土壤水和地下水的转化关系非常微弱,仅在长期干旱的条件下发生微量地下水毛细上升量;降雨和蒸散作用对苏打盐渍土体积含水量的影响深度不超过40cm,埋深大于1.0m的潜水对0~80cm深度苏打盐渍土体积含水量变化没有明显影响。     

基于流固耦合作用的某尾矿坝渗流稳定性分析

尾矿坝是矿山重要设施之一,其内部含有大量的水和尾矿,一旦失稳造成的损失不可估量。尾矿坝失稳有众多因素影响,但是坝内浸润线是最活跃的影响因素。本文基于流固耦合理论,建立某尾矿坝有限元计算模型,考虑坝内排水井的存在。模拟坝内不同工况下浸润线分布,对其静力稳定性及流固耦合作用下尾矿坝应力应变场进行分析,并将浸润线模拟位置与实际监测结果进行对比。揭示库内不同工况下浸润线变化规律以及与坝体稳定性之间的关系,并分析评价不同工况下尾矿坝的稳定性。最后,将渗流场与应力场进行流固耦合,模拟出365 d坝内应力位移分布,为尾矿坝施工及安全运行提供可靠的依据及技术支持。     

Estimation of maximum saturated depth in two-layered drainage blankets over the barrier in landfill cover system

For accurately calculating the maximum saturated depth over the landfill barrier and analyzing the variation of liquid head with inflow time, a new method is presented that considers the unsteady-state condition. Based on the principle of water balance and the extended Dupuit assumption, the solution of the new method can be calculated. Also, this method is capable of revealing the effect of the multilayered drainage media. One of the advantages of the method presented in this paper is that it can be used to draw a phreatic surface in layered drainage media under unsteady-state condition and estimate the location of the maximum liquid depth, for both homogeneous conditions and two-layered drainage conditions. Based on the developed analysis method, the effects of a parametric variation on the maximum saturated depth and the variation of saturated depth with time are presented. The calculated results show that with the increase of slope gradients of cover system, the saturated depth of cover system is easy to reach a stable value. Moreover, when the drainage layer consists of two layers with different thickness and hydraulic conductivity, the increase of hydraulic conductivity of the upper drainage layer will make it easier for the saturated depth of cover system to reach a stable and lower value.     

Hydrogeological conditions and aquifers potentiality for sustainable development of the desert areas in Wadi Qena,Eastern Desert,Egypt

To increase the potentiality of development and land reclamation activities, the Egyptian government funds the construction of a new desert road in Upper Egypt. This road connects Upper Egypt with the Red Sea Governorate. Surrounding the road is 207,000 acres of land surface which is almost flat and suitable for reclamation. To ensure the sustainability of the proposed development surrounding the road, analyses of the morphometric parameters, infiltration test and the grain size distribution, geoelectrical and hydrogeological investigations were conducted in the area. The results indicated a possibility of flash flood hazards and poor drainage condition for land reclamation activities is expected. The hydrogeological and geoelectrical investigations revealed that the unconfined Quaternary and confined Nubian Sandstone aquifers are the main aquifers in the area. The depths to water in the two aquifers range from 18 to 36 and 80 to 300 m with an average thickness of 40 and 275 m, respectively. The aquifers are made of sands and silt with clay intercalations. The total dissolved solids of water ranges between 1,700 and 5,400 mg/L, whereas the sodium absorption ratio ranges between 7 and 30 meq/L, indicating the suitability of water for irrigating medium- to high-salt-tolerant crops with proper drainage facilities. Thus, water in this area is not suitable for domestic use. Based on hydrogeological equations, the available water for extraction from the aquifers in the area is about 17.195?×?10⁹ m³, and this volume is not feasible to reclaim the whole proposed area for reclamation. Meanwhile, it may be possible to water small farms (not more than 60,000 acres for 50 years). Surface water source should be considered for the sustainability development of the area.     

尾矿库筑坝期三维渗流分析

尾矿库坝体的稳定性分析需充分考虑地形的复杂程度与边界的不规则程度,从而建立尾矿库的真实三维渗流场。利用SVOffice软件在不概化地形及边界的条件下构建尾矿库的真实渗流域,模拟了最后一期填筑在正常高水位（427.77 m）及汛期最高洪水位（434.50 m）两种工况下的三维瞬态渗流场。结果显示：两种工况下,尾矿最大日排水量均为6 100 m³,此时,堆积坝两侧浸润面均有溢出,远离排水井一侧的溢出范围更大,这主要是受渗流域的影响;库内初始水位对筑坝期渗流场的分布存在较大的影响,汛期洪水位筑坝初期浸润面位置最高。由模拟结果设计了5条排渗盲沟,保证了浸润面在堆积坝任何部位均未溢出。