SIMPL: A Simplified Model-Based Program for the Analysis and Visualization of Groundwater Rebound in Abandoned Mines to Prevent Contamination of Water and Soils by Acid Mine Drainage.

Sung-Min Kim,Yosoon Choi

doi:10.3390/ijerph15050951

Abstract

Cessation of dewatering following underground mine closure typically results in groundwater rebound, because mine voids and surrounding strata undergo flooding up to the levels of the decant points, such as shafts and drifts. SIMPL (Simplified groundwater program In Mine workings using the Pipe equation and Lumped parameter model), a simplified lumped parameter model-based program for predicting groundwater levels in abandoned mines, is presented herein. The program comprises a simulation engine module, 3D visualization module, and graphical user interface, which aids data processing, analysis, and visualization of results. The 3D viewer facilitates effective visualization of the predicted groundwater level rebound phenomenon together with a topographic map, mine drift, goaf, and geological properties from borehole data. SIMPL is applied to data from the Dongwon coal mine and Dalsung copper mine in Korea, with strong similarities in simulated and observed results. By considering mine workings and interpond connections, SIMPL can thus be used to effectively analyze and visualize groundwater rebound. In addition, the predictions by SIMPL can be utilized to prevent the surrounding environment (water and soil) from being polluted by acid mine drainage.

Highlights

In operational mines, groundwater flooding of the working area is prevented by continuous pumping operations
We propose a new program, SIMPL (Simplified groundwater program In Mine workings using the Pipe equation and Lumped parameter model), by using a simplified model that demands very few parameters for predicting groundwater rebound in abandoned mines
We present results of a case study in the Dongwon coal mine and the Dalsung copper mine in the Republic of Korea, using our new SIMPL program to model groundwater levels at a range of spatial and temporal scales

Summary

Introduction

Groundwater flooding of the working area is prevented by continuous pumping operations. Once this pumping ceases, when a mine is abandoned, the groundwater level in the mine begins to rise again—a phenomenon called “groundwater rebound.”. When this phenomenon occurs, groundwater either gradually flows back into the underground voids that were generated, due to mining activities or flows back into the strata near the mine. Predicting the groundwater rebound phenomenon in a mine area is important for two reasons.

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion