Underground Water Risk
Before It Becomes a Problem: Managing Water Risk Underground
In potash and salt mining, water doesn’t just disrupt operations—it can shut them down completely.
Chris Johnson
Manager, Hydrogeology and Data Modeling
christopher.johnson@respec.com
These types of mines, called evaporite mines, are especially vulnerable to water inflows. Once water enters the system, it can dissolve underground mine pillars, compromise safety, and put the entire operation at risk. RESPEC helps mine operators avoid that outcome.
“Unfortunately, our efforts rarely lead to boosting or increasing tonnage output,” says Chris Johnson, Manager of Hydrogeology and Data Modeling, “but we play an important role in helping prevent and control water inflows into underground mines.”
Inflow management is simply about risk. The risk of losing production. The risk of catastrophic damage. The risk of closing the mine entirely. RESPEC’s goal is to reduce uncertainty and give clients a clear understanding of their options.
That work takes several forms. RESPEC is sometimes brought in before a drop of water appears. This proactive approach allows the team to evaluate hydrogeologic risks, model potential flow scenarios, and help clients understand what might happen as they expand into new areas. Other times, the phone call comes after water is already present, and the mine personnel needs answers.
When water is already present, RESPEC digs into the data to help clients assess the situation. The team looks at holistic data sets that include chemistries, flow rates, pressure trends, surrounding geology, geotechnical, and geophysical information. These datasets help determine whether the inflow is a finite source or is being recharged and poses a long-term threat.
A critical part of the process is identifying the type and source of water. If it’s connate, it will taper off naturally; however, if it’s meteoric, the mine could face a sustained worsening problem.
“We help clients understand what they’re facing,” Chris explains. “That knowledge is what allows them to act early and effectively.”
Although water may not be the most visible threat in your evaporite mine plan, hydrogeologic risks should be factored into any future mining areas. If you are planning an expansion, reviewing historical inflow, or are unsure about recent water data, a conversation with RESPEC could save more than time.
“Evaporite mine inflow projects bring together all the core sciences including geochemistry, geophysics, geomechanics, and hydrogeology, each playing a role in understanding and managing inflow risk,” Chris says. “Our focus is always on water, and our goal is always the same: help the mine stay safe and operational.”
For clients, the value isn’t always visible on a balance sheet. Inflow management doesn’t generate increase tons or improve yield. But it can mean the difference between continuing to operate or losing everything.
This effort also plays a critical role in long-term planning. Understanding inflow risk early allows mine operators to make smarter decisions, allocate resources more effectively, and strengthen trust with investors and regulators.
“RESPEC has been involved with over 20 evaporite mine inflows from around the world,” Chris says. “There are many commonalities, but also some unique aspects to each. Knowing these things are important to reducing inflow risk or controlling existing evaporite mine inflows.”
Dr. Mario Bianchin & Dr. Lisa Kirk
Why Your Mine Design Should Integrate Mine Water Management to De-risk Operations
RESPEC’s Dr. Mario Bianchin and Dr. Lisa Kirk led a practical discussion (including case studies and other real-world examples) on the value of taking a systems-thinking approach to mine water management.
Archived WEbinar - RESPEC.com
Dr. Mario Bianchin
Director, Mine Water Management
mario.bianchin@respec.com
Dr. Lisa Kirk
Principal Biogeochemist
lisa.kirk@respec.com
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