Fundamentals of Mine Water Management

Water management is one of the key issues facing many mines in the 21st century. In response to requests by participants in previous webcasts on mine water management, we now present two closely related webcasts on the topic:

Webcast 1: Fundamentals of Mine Water Management
Webcast 2: Advanced Mine Water Management and Treatment

The first course, Fundamentals of Mine Water Management, is intended to introduce participants to the basic technical and engineering issues, as well as the solutions of managing mine waters. In this course, we will focus on the basics of surface water management at mines, groundwater management at mines, mine water balances, mine closure water management, and the geochemistry of mine waters. The course will review the theory of mine water management, explore best practices, present case histories of successful mine water management, and consider both surface water and groundwater analysis and modeling.

In the light of recent failures of tailings facilities as a result of mismanagement of water, the course will also focus on risk management as a way to deal with the many unknowns of water quantity and quality at mines. In particular, risk management as applied to the prediction and control of a mine’s water balance will be discussed.

The course will benefit those new to, as well as those experienced in, mine water management. For those new to or entering the field of mine water management, this course will introduce current practice, modern technical approaches, and best standard engineering practices. On the basis of the course, participants will be equipped to identify and manage solutions for best practice management of the surface waters and groundwaters of the mines with which they are associated or for which they may be responsible.

This webcast draws on and expands on the EduMine series of courses on mine water management. In addition, the course will draw on those parts of the EduMine courses on tailings facilities, heap leach pads, and mine closure that deal with surface water and groundwater issues associated with mine waste disposal facilities.

We invite participants to tell us, in advance, which topics are of the greatest interest to them, so that we may strive to tailor the presentations to the specific interests of the webcast participants.