Application of Groundwater modeling for designing a dewatering system: Case study of the Buvač Open Cast Mine, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This paper presents groundwatermanagement based on the results of groundwater modeling used to simulate theeffects of operation of three dewatering system scenarios of the Buvač open pitmine. Several aquifers exist within the Buvač limonite ore deposit region,which puts ore exploitation at risk. Groundwater modeling, was used tounderstand the groundwater regime within these aquifers. A previous numericalmodel (2007) was completed for the state of the groundwater regime prior to theopening of the open pit mine. During the last five years, the development ofthe open pit mine and associated activities have drastically modified the flowfield. The model was modified for the new conditions on the site, and with thenew data from the groundwater and surface water regime monitoring. The existingsystem of protection of the open pit mine from groundwater encompasses drainageof the alluvial aquifer and the ore body aquifer. This paper analyzes threescenarios of the open pit protection from groundwater for the period from 2013to 2024. The new model was used to simulate the effects of operation of thethree proposed dewatering systems. The differences in the effects of operationof the scenarios were quantified through the conditions of groundwater levelsand water budget. Recommendations have also been given for performingprediction calculations in the case of existence of drainage wells, with themost effective dewatering system determined from a hydrodynamic aspect. Theresults presented in this paper may be used for developing an effectivedewatering program.