Abstract
Openpit mining commenced at the Lihir goldmine in 1997 and mine dewatering in 1998. The orebodies (Minifie and Lienetz) occur in a collapsed volcanic crater (which contains a remnant geothermal system), breached by the ocean. Successful openpit dewatering has been achieved under very adverse coastal mining conditions, including, high groundwater temperatures, seawater intrusion affecting dewatering efficiency, and groundwater interaction with an underlying geothermal system. A seawall will occur between the ultimate pit perimeter and the ocean. As part of ongoing mine-water-management studies, the hydraulic connection between the openpit and the ocean through this seawall is currently being quantified. The integrity of this seawall is imperative to long-term mining success and the coastal hydrogeology of the seawall and mine area is actively being further studied and refined.
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