Calculation of Mine Water Inflow using Interactively a Groundwater Model and an Inflow Model (1987)

Bouw, P. C. & Morton, K. L.

Abstract
The uncertainty of the we-evaluation of potential groundwater inflow rates in underground mines results in difficulty in planning and costing the water related activities of the mines. This paper presents a procedure for making a rational assessment of the potential inflows.
The method is based on an interactive operation of two computer models: an inflow model and a ground water finite element model. Both are first calibrated using existing information obtained from aquifer monitoring. In a second phase, the models predict the potential inflows as well as the impact of mine dewatering on the piezometric surface. Both the models used are based on a non linear relationship between tonnage mined and inflows. A phased behaviour in the rates of inflow increase is noted.
The interactive mode of operation of the models results in confidence in the prediction because the models output (calculated inflow rates and piezometric levels) during the calibration phase are checked against the historical data. It is concluded that the method can provide mine management with guidelines for dewatering requirements under the condition that reliable data on the history of piezometric levels be available.

Bouw, P. C. & Morton, K. L. (1987): Calculation of Mine Water Inflow using Interactively a Groundwater Model and an Inflow Model. – Int. J. Mine Water, 6: 31-50, 10 fig.; Nottingham.