Treatment of water inflow from flooded underground mines

Abstract

The study focuses on the adverse effect exerted on the environment by temporary shutdown and closure of underground mines by means of flooding. Closure of underground mines only terminates the structural and technological transformation of geological rock mass while detrimental effect on the natural environment of underground mines remains and even becomes more severe sometimes. Some hazards are revealed, which initiate new phenomena and processes, and are mainly connected with flooding of underground mines. Such hazards are groundwater rise, flow of water from flooded mines to operating mines, ground surface deformation due to subsidence and entry of pollutants in underground aquifers and surface water bodies. In terms of a flooded mine in East Donbass, the method of catchment of water outlet from the flooded mine and dispersion to a man-made biological pond is described. The biological pond is split into zones. First, there is a shallow place with planting for activation of growth of iron bacteria; here, removal of iron ions from mine water takes place. Then, water flows to the pond for the further bio-oxidation and treatment of water up to the standard MAC. The article offers recommendations on making of the biological pond and a trench for water flow from mine. The required volumes and sizes of the biological pond, trench and activation zone for iron bacteria are calculated. Treated mine water, via a dam, will be fed to a water storage reservoir.