Managing water in mines

On July 7, 2019, in Commentary, by Erik

Drilling holes naturally makes water want to flow. This is especially impactful because it can deplete or contaminate the drinking water sources with dangerous toxins. It costs money to remove the excess water as well as keeping it clean and prevent it from damaging the environment. The main source of the excess water is rainfall recharge. If a local municipality has a 60% water shortage leaking pipes are likely dripping into the mines. This water can be both clean and contaminated.

Key Takeaways:

  • Johannes said that in the mind in question they are like putting 70 megalitres back into the environment while they are pumping 110 megalitres of water a day.
  • The difference between the amount pumped and the amount put into the environment are those that are used in the plants at the mines.
  • A major part of the costing in a mine is to pump water about 3 kilometers to the surface and this is no mean feat.

“Wherever you drill a hole, water from natural underground sources wants to flood in.”

Read more: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/managing-water-mines

 

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