Groundwater is a common problem during mining, and developing a mine below groundwater level presents many challenges.
Also check out our deep-well dewatering solution.
Poorly controlled groundwater will have negative impacts on the safety, efficiency and economics of mining operations.
The source of surface water in open pit mines are:
- Stormwater
- Snow melt
- Mining operations
- Sepage from pit walls
Generally, there are 2 main approaches to this issue.
1) Groundwater control by exclusion
Groundwater is prevented by installing cut-off walls around the site.
Dewatering cut-off walls
Courtesy of Groundwater Engineering
Methods used to form cut-off walls
- Displacement barriers
- Excavated barriers
They’ll build concrete diaphragm walls, bored pile walls, slurry walls and trenches. - Injected barriers
Examples are rock grouting, jet grouting, etc.
2) Groundwater control by pumping
This method involves using dewatering pumps and tends to be more favourable.
Dewatering by pumping
Courtesy of Groundwater Engineering
The benefits
- More efficient working conditions due to better trafficking and diggability
- Reduced blasting costs
- Since dry ore and water rock weigh less than wet material, dewatering provides lower haulage costs.
- Improved slope stability and safety
Our solution
We provided a Pioneer diesel dewatering pump PPSK66S14L2 to an open pit mine here in Australia.
The diesel driven, hardened stainless steel pump was mounted onto a skid base to ensure maximum mobility around the mine.
It is auto prime and powered by a powerful 1500 litres Cat diesel engine.
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Dewatering pump hard at work!
Features of Pioneer dewatering pumps
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