A technical workshop on Best Practice in Hydrology & De-Watering Methods in Open Pits and Underground Mines was held on 14 June 2022 in English by The Transeuropean Centre Ltd. It was attended by hydrology engineers from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Brasil, USA, Canada, Greece, South Africa and Kazakhstan. They represented Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, BHP and BHP Chile, Newmont, Torex Gold Resources, CONSOL Energy, AuroraGeo, Kazminerals and other companies.
The workshop started with a presentation by Dr Kym Morton, Water Strategist and Consulting Mining Hydrologist, KLM Consulting Services Pty Ltd. She discussed methods of de-watering mines and hydrology of mining groundwater with case studies from around the world on design of de-watering systems for open pit and underground mines. Among the speakers were Justyna Blocka, Hydrogeologist, Itasca Consultants GmbH, Germany and Houmao Liu PhD, Hydrogeologist, Itasca Denver, General Manager who spoke on groundwater modelling software, simulation of open pit and zone of relaxation (zor), pore pressure for slope stability analysis.
Last but not least was Michael Verreault, ing., M.Sc.A., Hydrogeologist – President, Hydro-Ressources Inc. Michael discussed mine dewatering using groundwater tracers.
In their feedback the attendees found the presentations thought provoking and highly relevant to their work. The presentation by Dr Kym L Morton was highly rated for its detailed case studies and their practical value.