Dewatering of the Jenkins open pit uranium mine
Mining of low grade uranium sandstones in the Jenkins open pit mine in the Shirley Basin, Wyoming was troubled by slope failures and wet conditions in the pit. Since the mine was expanding toward a river, the possibility of drainage from this river into the mine raised serious concern during the mine planning. A baseline hydrogeologic study was performed and dewatering measures were designed with the help of a numerical mathematical model. A combination of dewatering wells installed from the surface around the perimeter of the pit and horizontal drains in areas of high slope failure potential substantially improved the mining conditions and slope stability. This procedure consequently led to the successful ore recovery from the highly saturated sandstone strata. The development of drawdown during the dewatering of two separated aquifers in the overburden was close to that predicted by the model.
- Research Organization:
- Hydro-Geo Consulting, Inc., Denver, CO
- OSTI ID:
- 5332454
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-841204-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States); ISSN UKOBD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Prevention of coal mine drainage formation by well dewatering
Review of Design Approaches Applicable to Dewatering Uranium Mill Tailings Disposal Pits
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FORECASTING
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINE DRAINING
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANNING
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
URANIUM MINES
USA
WATER
WYOMING