Integrated assessment of mine water pollution influence on water removal efficiency in Udachny Mine

Abstract

Efficiency of water removal in underground mineral mining is mainly connected with operating cost of electrically driven pumps of water-drainage installations. In this regard, the comprehensive study of a water removal system structure shows that, alongside with electrically driven pumps, watercatchment roadways, pipeline system and mine water reinjection system (if any), it is expedient to add the water drainage system with load–haul–dumpers and hoists for haulage and lifting of thickened silt-and-slime slurry to ground surface. In this case, reduction in concentration of solid particles in mine water and effective dewatering of silt-and-slime slurry may result in higher technical and economic effect in terms of mineral mining cost than is anticipated. This article presents the studies in the field of integrated assessment of impact exerted by solid particles in mine water on water removal performance in Udachny Mine. The efficiency criteria are proposed for the system of water removal from the underground kimberlite mine. It is found that the cost of kimberlite ore mining in Udachny mine is mostly affected by mine water contamination in terms of expenses connected with power consumption and repair of pumping equipment of the main water-drainage installation, as well as due to a profit gap in kimberlite production. The developed mathematical model allows assessment of influence exerted by solid phase in mine water on the efficiency of water removal from Udachny Mine.