Project highlights
- Region: East Africa
- Industry Sector: Mining and Minerals
- Project: 30 000 m3 / day Underground Dewatering
- Scope: Detail Design, Procurement Assistance and Execution
- Detail: Cascade Dam Development, Rising Main direct pumping to surface
- Duration: 16 months
- Project Value: $9m
Project details
Introduction/Overview:
With the overall underground development, Water Management and specifically Dewatering during underground mining activities play a vital role in the safe operation and sustainable production of mining activities.
Our client required the in-depth assessment of the Water Balance for the underground activities with review of Hydrology Models and ingress patterns. The objective was to provide a Detail Design for the U/G Water Management, with a centralised pump station that could pump water directly to surface.
Overland infrastructure and holding facilities to be design for the treatment of water to comply with environmental requirements as well as operational requirements where water will be re-used for mining activities
The Solve:
CEMS Consult conducted an in-depth assessment and provided the Client with a Water Balance for the underground activities. A Sampling Campaign aided in the validation of the model, which was used to develop the Flowsheet and Equipment Selection.
A Detail Design was provided for the various underground pump stations, including all Civil, Structural, Mechanical equipment. A Design for the Electrical reticulation were provided to assist the client in the planning and overall infrastructure development for the LoM.
A Main pump Station allows water to be pumped directly to surface, from where a network of overland piping, settling ponds and holding dams allow treatment and distribution of the cleaned water.
Solutions provided were fit-for-purpose with collaboration between various service providers and technology specialists to ensure a state-of-the-art solution.
Conclusion:
A unique design provided a solution to contain the variation and influx of underground water during rainy seasons and as production rates vary. Various Risk Reviews and Hazard Assessments were done to ensure a robust design that will support the LoM.
