Skip to main content
Conference Proceedings

Water in Mining 2003

Conference Proceedings

Water in Mining 2003

PDF Add to cart

Integrated Hydro-Chemistry and Biological Studies Towards Understanding the Nature of Acid Rock Drainage Impacts for a Coal Mine on the West Coast of New Zealand

Coal mining has been occurring on the Stockton Plateau for over 100 years. As a result of both natural conditions and mining activities, surface water on the plateau is known to have low pH and elevated metals concentrations, a condition known as acid rock drainage (ARD). Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd (SENZ), as owners of the current mining operations at Stockton desire to understand the nature and causes of ARD at Stockton to determine whether commercially viable options can be developed to improve the water quality to levels acceptable to the local community and regulators. A series of integrated water quality investigations have been performed towards developing a characterisation of the water quality on the Stockton Plateau and receiving waters. The investigations performed include: design and implementation of a water quality monitoring program to collect a satisfactory base of water quality data from which to develop an understanding of the water quality and its variability, and to collect data regarding the range of flow rates that occur in the principal streams; development of a hydrological model for the Plateau with the ability to predict flow rates at key locations on the plateau and on the Ngakawau River; field investigations of the bio-diversity of the plateau and surrounding areas, to develop a snapshot of the health of aquatic communities and whether streams draining mine workings are adversely impacted'; eco-toxicology; waste dump seepage water quality monitoring at selected basal springs, drilling, investigations and permeability and geochemical testing; data processing of a range of historical data and the newly acquired data for the development of empirical relationships that describe the water chemistry system and its relationship in turn to flow rates in the streams; simulation of the long term water quality record for the measured parameters (pH, acidity and metals concentrations), based on the hydrological model and the empirical relationships developed from the new database; and preliminary development and examination of mitigation options for the ARD issues at the mine._x000D_
The study has progressed towards design of pilot studies of options for mitigation of the generation of the ARD as well as treatment of the discharges. It is the integrated approach adopted by SENZ from an early time in the investigations, that has enabled fast-tracking of the pilot engineering trials. This paper presents the results of the field investigations and eco-toxicology studies and demonstrates the value of predictive modelling of water quality in the study area, even at a very early stage in the remedial engineering design process.
Return to parent product
  • Integrated Hydro-Chemistry and Biological Studies Towards Understanding the Nature of Acid Rock Drainage Impacts for a Coal Mine on the West Coast of New Zealand
    PDF
    This product is exclusive to Digital library subscription
  • Integrated Hydro-Chemistry and Biological Studies Towards Understanding the Nature of Acid Rock Drainage Impacts for a Coal Mine on the West Coast of New Zealand
    PDF
    Normal price $22.00
    Member price from $0.00
    Add to cart

    Fees above are GST inclusive

PD Hours
Approved activity
  • Published: 2003
  • PDF Size: 0.778 Mb.
  • Unique ID: P200306027

Our site uses cookies

We use these to improve your browser experience. By continuing to use the website you agree to the use of cookies.