Geo-Hydrological Study for Quantitative Estimation and Dewatering Planning in an Opencast Iron Ore Mine of India

Abstract

Rajhara iron ore mine is working for the last fifty years and with deepening of mine, slopes have been enlarged and the excavation levels have approached very close to the groundwater table and intercepted causing water accumulation problem in the pit. The mine water accumulation obviously hampers the normal production particularly in wet months and during post-monsoon season when all aquifers are fully charged with water. Based on the pumping test conducted at mine site, quantitative estimation of water, aquifer parameters and pumping requirement during different period of year had been worked out and presented in this paper. Mine dewatering scheme is accordingly designed to keep the quarry bottom dry and thereby achieving the targeted production. It is concluded that scientifically planned geo-hydrological study, proper drainage system, water conservation and judicious water management is the best solution to reduce the mine-water related impacts for the Rajhara mine and mine area nearby. The mine dewatering and its planning, designed in 2006 and field implementation results derived in 2016, were helpful to remove lacunae and practical difficulties of current practices.