Efficient mining operations rely on effective water management, making dewatering a critical component of the process. By controlling groundwater and surface water levels, mine dewatering ensures safer working conditions, protects valuable equipment, and maximizes productivity. Whether you’re dealing with open-pit mines or underground tunnels, understanding the importance of dewatering is key to long-term success.
What is Mine Dewatering?
Dewatering a mine, in simple terms, is the removal of excess water from a mining site. It is common practice, as mines often extend below the groundwater table, where water naturally infiltrates the area. Other common sources of excess water buildup in a mine include standing groundwater, streams, rivers, lakes, or ponds flowing into the mine as well as rainfall or snowmelt accumulation.
Implementing a dewatering system with the proper equipment to extract and redirect water build-up will ensure a smooth operation, regardless of the type of mineral extraction taking place.
The Importance of Water Management in Mining
Productivity
The efficiency of a mine can quickly be thwarted by excess water or flooded areas in a mine. Having a well-designed water management system ensures timelines and expectations are met.
Safety
While modern-day mines largely do not use manual miners (opting for automated machinery and technology instead) uncontrolled water in mines can create hazardous conditions. These include increased risk of weakened wall structures, landslides, and floods. It’s important to note that miners may still occasionally enter mines, and proper dewatering helps mitigate the risk of physical harm.
Environmental Considerations
It’s common for mining activities to significantly impact surrounding water resources as minerals, soil, and other sediments are extracted and shifted around. For this reason, regulations, such as the Clean Water Act, require mining companies to treat and properly dispose of water to prevent contamination of nearby drinking water systems and protect ecosystems.
Learn more about green mining.
Achieving a Smooth Dewatering Process
This begins with conducting a site assessment and selecting the proper dewatering equipment and method. Equipment (such as sump pumps, wellpoint systems, educator systems, and deep well dewatering methods) are used to extract water, while sand washing equipment helps remove fines from the material.
How the Ortner Improves the Mine Dewatering Process
Leaning on specialized equipment in a dewatering operation will help with cost, time, and operational savings. And the Ortner® tackles several of the key issues faced by mining dewatering operations:
- Water usage: the Ortner uses 1/3 the amount of water a traditional dewatering machine would, significantly reducing water consumption
- Power efficiency: the Ortner® uses about 1/3 of the power used by conventional dewatering machines
- Material handling: its high-frequency vibration ensures that materials are separated quickly, producing a drier product and making conveying and stockpiling easier and less prone to clogging
- Durability: the compact and lightweight design of the Ortner® minimizes wear and tear
To inquire about the Ortner® for your mine dewatering system, contact the experts at AEI today.
