Some typical examples of projects undertaken for the mining industry are:

Ernest Henry Copper/Gold Mine - Qld

Development of a numerical groundwater model of a 3200km² area of the Great Artesian Basin to improve prediction of groundwater inflow to the open pit mine and of the impact of mine dewatering on the regional piezometric pressures and other groundwater users.

Bengalla Coal Mine - Wantana Extension, Statement of Environmental Effects, NSW

A groundwater impact assessment was undertaken of the proposal to extend the approved open cut mining operations to take in a 32ha area (Wantana Extension) to the south close to the alluvial plain of the Hunter River. The study involved an assessment of the current impact of mining on the groundwater regime and numerical modelling using FEFLOW software to assess the impact of the extension and cumulative impact of surrounding mines.

Alumbrera Copper/Gold Mine - Numerical Groundwater Model, Argentina

A regional numerical flow and contaminant transport model of the mine site, incorporating the Tailings Dam, Mine Pit and Waste Rock Dumps was developed using the MODFLOW finite difference and the MT3D contaminant transport packages. The model incorporated both alluvial and fractured rock aquifers and is used as a tool for management of interception of tailings leakage of up to 600L/s of high sulfate concentration, and to assess the effectiveness of various closure strategies.

Kidston Gold Mine Final Void Behaviour - Eldridge Pit, Qld

A hydrogeological/hydrological/geochemical study was undertaken to assess the likely behaviour of Eldridge Pit void post closure with respect to filling and final void water level, water quality and the influence and potential of acid oxidation of the pit walls and regional impact on groundwater levels and quality in the Copperfield River. Involved field investigation and modelling.

Dawson (Moura) Coal Mine - Whole of the Mine Study, Qld

A whole-of-mine study was undertaken to develop a conceptual model of the regional groundwater system along a 40km strike length in order to assess the impact of open cut and underground mining over the past 40 years, groundwater contamination monitoring data, the rate of groundwater inflow to the open cut voids and the volume of storage in the abandoned underground mines, and to develop a groundwater monitoring program that would ensure legal compliance of the mine.

Grande Cote Zircon Project - Diogo Resource, Senegal

Field investigation program involving the installation of pumping bores, monitoring bores, pumping tests and a census of over 100 artisanal wells was undertaken in order to develop a conceptual model of the “sand sheet” aquifer that hosts high concentration of zircon. The investigation was undertaken to provide data for numerical modelling of the water balance of the aquifer and the impact of a proposed floating dredge mining operations on the groundwater regime and artisanal wells.

Wilpinjong Coal Project - Groundwater Impact Assessment, NSW

A groundwater impact assessment was undertaken as part of the EIS for the project and included a field investigation program, numerical impact modelling and presentations at public meetings. The model was developed to assess the impact of the proposed open cut coal mine and a proposed water supply borefield on Wilpinjong Creek and the Goulbourn River, Goulbourn River National Park, the coal seam aquifer systems, private bores and wells and groundwater dependent ecosystems. A monitoring program was developed.

Lihir Gold Mine Dewatering Strategy - Papua New Guinea

The Lihir Gold Mine on Lihir Island in the province of New Ireland consists of two open pits, Minifie and Lienetz Pits located in a collapsed volcanic crater (caldera) which has been breached on the east side by the ocean. Dewatering using high yielding strategically located bores is required to maintain dry conditions in the pit, to promote pit wall stability and geothermal steam relief. Developed a 5-year dewatering bore strategy for groundwater temperatures exceeding 120 degrees centigrade.

Ensham Central Coal Project, EIS - Qld

A groundwater impact assessment was undertaken of the proposed Ensham Mine expansion across the Nogoa River alluvial floodplain by open cut and longwall mining methods. Included monitoring bore installation, assessment of hydraulic connection between river and alluvium and numerical modelling of impact of groundwater regime during mining and post mining, including water levels in the final voids.