The Anatomy And Circulation Of Mine Water In Carbonatite Mines, Specifically Diamond Mines (2018)

Kym L Morton
KLM Consulting Services, Johannesburg, South Africa,

Abstract
Ground water occurrence and movement around and in Carbonatite mines, specifically diamond pipes, are dominated by three types of structures; first is the weak zone which allowed the carbonatite to be emplaced; second are the structures that opened when the emplacement occurred and third are the relaxation structures created by mining the ore body and country rock. The latter is described as a Zone of Relaxation (ZOR). They are all significant because they control the mechanism allowing the country rock water to enter the mine workings and are important components of the conceptual hydrogeological model. Knowledge and measurement of the three structural domains enable more accurate interception and control of the dewatering over life of mine. Generic domains are discussed, and examples are given from Finsch diamond mine, South Africa.

Keywords: Dewatering, inflows, kimberlite, Zone of Relaxation, ZOR, conceptual modelling, fracture flow

Morton, Kym Lesley (2018): The Anatomy And Circulation Of Mine Water In Carbonatite Mines, Specifically Diamond Mines. – In: Wolkersdorfer, Ch.; Sartz, L.; Weber, A.; Burgess, J. & Tremblay, G.: Mine Water – Risk to Opportunity (Vol II). – p. 1017 – 1024; Pretoria, South Africa (Tshwane University of Technology)