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Dewatering of Multi-aquifer Unconsolidated Rock Opencast Mines: Alternative Solutions with Horizontal Wells

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Abstract

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) can be a cost-effective way to dewater excavations and surface mines. Laboratory and field experiments provided insight into the important processes involved and allow us to reproduce them through modelling. A new algorithm based on the flow equation by Manning–Strickler was developed and introduced into the groundwater model, PCGEOFIM®, which allows one to calculate open channel flow within HDD wells. The experimental and numerical results clearly showed that HDD wells have certain advantages over vertical wells, such as more cost effective dewatering in thin aquifers. Additionally, free flowing HDD wells dewatering technology allow mining to proceed without requiring the removal of the wells.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), Osnabrück, Germany for supporting the presented work that was carried out as part of the research project “Innovatives Entwässerungsverfahren zur Umweltentlastung und Effizienz-steigerung” (Innovative dewatering system for environmental protection and increase in Efficiency), Az. 22473-23.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mitteldeutsche Braunkohlengesellschaft mbH (MIBRAG), Glück-Auf-Straße1, 06711, Zeitz, Germany

    Michael Struzina & Peter Jolas

  2. hydrocomputing UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Co KG, Zur Schule 20, 04158, Leipzig, Germany

    Mike Müller

  3. TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Bergbau und Spezialtiefbau, Gustav-Zeuner-Str 1A, 09596, Freiberg, Germany

    Carsten Drebenstedt

  4. Ingenieurbüro für Grundwasser GmbH (IBGW), Nonnenstr 9, 04229, Leipzig, Germany

    Holger Mansel

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  1. Michael Struzina
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  2. Mike Müller
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  3. Carsten Drebenstedt
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  4. Holger Mansel
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  5. Peter Jolas
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Correspondence to Mike Müller.

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Struzina, M., Müller, M., Drebenstedt, C. et al. Dewatering of Multi-aquifer Unconsolidated Rock Opencast Mines: Alternative Solutions with Horizontal Wells. Mine Water Environ 30, 90–104 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-011-0149-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10230-011-0149-1

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