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Pit Dewatering
Pit Dewatering
911metallurgist.com/pit-dewatering/
Figure 10A shows the potentiometric surface produced from pumping two wells at 250
l/s (4000 gpm) each. These wells were located in mine pools located in the deep-mine
voids on the north and south flanks of the valley. The formation of a cone of depression
around each pumping well shows that most of the water in the mine pools is dewatered.
However, it is important to notice that neither of the cones of depression is sufficiently
wide to dewater the central part of the valley where the proposed mine will be located.
This is due to the permeability difference between the unmined, relatively impermeable
valley core and the mined, extremely permeable valley flanks. As a result of this extreme
anisotropy, the cones of depression have an elliptical shape, elongated in the direction
of greatest permeability, along the orientation of the deep-mine voids. The simulation
shows that this dewatering scheme would be ineffective because even after eight years
of pumping, hydraulic head values of 900 feet or more exist in the central part of the
valley where the proposed mine is to be located.
Differences between simulated and observed hydraulic heads ranged between 0 and 42
feet. The largest differences were on the ridge crests and the valley bottom where
observed hydraulic head data were meager.
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Comparison of Figures 7A and 7B shows that the model did simulate the major
hydrologic features of the ground-water flow system in the modeled area: the ground-
water mounds beneath Locust Mountain and Sharp Mountain, the bend of the 900-foot
equipotential line into the deep-mine voids on the south side of the valley, and the
flatter hydraulic gradients in the deep-mined areas. Simulations also were made to
check the sensitivity of various input parameters, see Bair (1980).
The transient simulations were designed to permit the configuration of the proposed
mine to change in one-year increments. Thus, a record of the response of the flow
system to the progressive development of the mine was obtained at the end of every
year for the first eight years of mining, prior to pit advancement upvalley. Figures 9A,
9B, 9C, and 9D show the simulated potentiometric surface after 2, 4, 6, and 8 years of
mining, respectively. The “X” on each map represents the center of the proposed mine.
These maps display several interesting hydrologic features.
In Figure 9A, the mine is represented by one constant-head node having a hydraulic
head of 815 feet. The 900-foot equipotential line in this figure shows the initial
development of a cone of depression around the mine.
Ground-Water Seepage: Ground-water seepage into the pit was determined at the
end of each year for the eight-year simulation period. Table 1 lists the ground-water
seepage rate data from the transient simulation made with the previously stated input
parameter values and a specific yield of 0.005. As would be anticipated, the rate of
ground-water seepage into the mine increases as the mine dimensions increase.
However, the changes in the rate of increase reveal some interesting features about the
effect of the local ground-water flow system on the rate of ground-water seepage.
During the first five years of mining, the rate of increase of the seepage rate increases at
a fairly uniform rate. But, in the sixth year of mining, the rate of increase decreases.
This is probably due to the location of the mine within the valley. Prior to the sixth year
of mining, the mine is enlarging within the highly permeable deep-mined area on the
north side of the valley. However, during the sixth year of mining, the mine enlarges to
its greatest extent within the relatively impermeable central core of the valley. In
response to the low permeability of the central core of the valley, the rate of increase of
the seepage rate decreases. During the seventh year of mining, the mine extends further
toward Sharp Mountain and breaches the mine voids along the south side of the valley,
which causes the large increase in the seepage rate during that time period. The rate of
increase in the seepage rate decreases during the eighth year of mining as the mine
voids on the south side of the valley dewater.
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Watch Video At: https://youtu.be/OkVdq2LcpV8
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Surface Drainwells
The second method for removing ground water from the Poker Chip, is drilling and
completing a network of surface medium diameter drainwells. These wells are drilled
and constructed essentially in the same manner as pumping wells but instead of
installing a pump and removing the water by pumping, the drainwells are drilled to the
9,690 foot elevation level. At this elevation the water is drained to a collection chamber,
from there the water is conveyed to the Amole Drift system. The drainwells are
connected by single drifts which are driven from either side of the Amole drift.
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During the drilling of the first drainwell, numerous drilling problems were encountered
which resulted in the drill bit and stabilizers becoming stuck. The borehole had to be
abandoned after the bit and stabilizers were shot off and the drill pipe removed.
Learning from the problems and drilling conditions which were encountered at the first
drainwell site, the following drilling and construction schedule was undertaken. A
diagram of the drainwell’s construction is shown on the following page.
A nominal 34-inch surface borehole was drilled to a depth of 55 meters, then nominal
30-inch blank steel, conductor casing is installed to total depth and cemented into
place. This portion of the borehole is drilled using the direct mud-rotary drilling
method. A nominal 28-inch borehole is then drilled to a depth of approximately 65 feet
below the water table. This portion and the remaining portions to total depth of the
borehole, are drilled utilizing the fluid reverse drilling method. Within the Grasberg Pit,
the water level has been determined to be at an approximate elevation of 12,200 feet.
After the borehole is drilled to its determined depth, 24-inch stainless steel, blank steel
casing is installed and the annular space is at the bottom and at ground surface. A
nominal 17 ½-inch borehole is then drilled to a depth which is approximately 65 feet
above the drift which conveys the drain water to the main Amole Drift. If during the
drilling of the nominal 17 ½-inch borehole, downhole drilling conditions may require a
reduction of the borehole size. If this is the case nominal 15-inch stainless steel, blank
casing is installed. After installation of the casing, a nominal 14-inch borehole is drilled
to a total depth of 65 feet above the drift.
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After drilling the borehole to a depth which is 65 feet above the drift, the borehole was
surveyed using a gyroscope logging tool. This helps determine the boreholes bottom
position in relation to the drift. The drift which has been constructed to a distance of
approximately 30 meters from the boreholes bottom position, is then driven to a
position underneath the borehole. A water collection chamber is then constructed
within the drift, utilizing a concrete bulkhead. The bulkhead has pressure relief valves,
three 10-inch water flow valves, and a large diameter sediment valve, which allows
material to be flushed from the chamber. The bulkhead is constructed to ensure the
ability to control the flow of water in case the water has to be shut off.
Because maximum water production is required, the entire reach between the water
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table or the bottom of the 15-inch casing to total depth is screened. The casing installed
in this reach is a nominal 10-inch stainless steel, Rosco-Moss louvered screen, with 100
slot openings. Following the installation of the 10-inch casing, a cement plug is then
placed in the bottom 10 to 15 meters of the borehole. A gravel pack utilizing ¼-inch x
3/8-inch gravel is then installed in the annular space to maintain borehole stability.
After the collection chamber has been constructed underneath the proposed break
through point of the well, a nominal 10-inch borehole is drilled for the final 65 feet until
break through to the chamber is completed. Water from the drainwell is then conveyed
through the bulkhead and into the main Amole Drift system. From there the water is
conveyed via a pipeline distribution system to be used within the mill operation.
Total drilling depths of the drainwells range from 2,800 feet to greater than 3,100 feet.
It is anticipated through preliminary results of the regional ground water model, that
these wells will yield 2,000 to 3,000 gpm over an extended period of time of
approximately two to three years. In combination with the underground drainholes, the
surface drainwells are providing a means for draining the Poker Chip and providing pit
slope stability.
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