University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Science.Open cut coal mining in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales has resulted in
mine pit depths of 1 SO metres or more below the natural water table, and the backfilling
and reshaping of more than 10 billion cubic metres of spoils waste rock.
Groundwater impact studies are a pre-requisite for mine pit regulatory approvals. Such
studies often rely heavily upon computer based numerical models to simulate pit
development and predict impacts. These models are sometimes poorly designed and
reliant upon conjecture in prescribing strata hydraulic properties and other parameters. In
addition, regional groundwater chemistry and the impacts relating thereto, are often
addressed in a simplistic way while spoils leachate which is generated following pit
resaturation, is poorly characterised if at all.
In order to assist groundwater practitioners m their assessments, a large amount of
hydrogeological data has been consolidated as part of this research effort, hydrophysical
and hydrochemical methodologies have been docutnented, and aquifers in the Upper
Hunter region characterised.
Compilation and trend analysis of 172 packer tests conducted on coal seams (aquifers) at
different locations and depths has resulted in a new and potentially useful coal seam depth
versus hydraulic conductivity relationship based on coal brightness.
Testing of 180 interburden core samples comprehensively demonstrates the very low
matrix conductivity (less than 1.0E-04 m/ day) of non coal interburden strata. Expected
ranges in compressible storage for both coal seams and interburden have been calculated
directly from reported ranges in elastic moduli derived from geomechanical studies.
Groundwater qualities within the regional coal measures and the shallow alluvial aquifers
have been re-assessed through the compilation of 850 laboratory ion speciated samples.
Tri-linear plotting of samples lends weight to some previously defmed hydrochemical
provmces. However there appears to be no useful division that might support regional
scale inference within the coal measures.
XRD analyses of 24 interburden core samples exhibit a remarkably common mineral
regime dominated by quartz with subordinate albite, kaolinite, illite-smectite and dolomite.
The presence of dawsonite is also noted.
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Vertical section numerical modelling of a typical open cut pit demonstrates that coal
seams, by virtue of their relatively high hydraulic conductivity, tend to preferentially
depressurise the strata and induce a component of leakage from adjacent less permeable
interburden. Pressure losses within shallower strata are likely be restricted to less than 2
km from a pit face while losses in deeper strata could migrate distances of 6 to 7 km over
a period of 1 00 years.
Following pit closure, water levels will recover within a pit shell due to rainwater and
groundwater contributions. A leachate will evolve from progressive re-saturation of
spoils. The hydrochemistry of leachate derived from rainwater percolation has been
explored by conducting batch reaction trials on 58 core samples representing different
interburden lithologies in the Upper Hunter region. Trial results demonstrate leachates
exhibiting Na>>Mg>Ca and HC03> >Cl-S04 ionic species distributions. TDS
projections out to 100 years support a range from 500 mg/L to more than 5000 mg/L
with an average of about 2150 mg/L.
Inverse geochemical modelling of leachate trials has shown ion exchange to be particularly
relevant. Findings suggest rapid dissolution of halite and dolomite will occur while ion
exchange will enhance the dominance of Na through the presence of Na-smectite.
Reaction path modelling results demonstrate that in the absence of exchangeable Na, the
leachate quality is likely to be Na-Mg>Ca (Ca is minor) and HCOrCl-S04 (no dominant
anion). Progressively increasing the availability of exchangeable Na leads to an increasing
presence ofNa and HC03 .
Research findings suggest subsurface hydrophysical impacts of mining on the high value
alluvial groundwater system adjacent to the Hunter River, are relatively minor at the
present time and are likely to remain so providing the hydraulic conductivities of Permian
strata adjacent to the alluvial system, are not enhanced by fracturing and bedding shears.
Potential hydrochemical impacts on regional high value aquifers equate largely to the long
term potential for spillage/leakage of leachate from mine pits. Predictive analyses suggest
this leachate is likely to be Na-HC03 type water with potential enhancement of Na-Cl
from washery rejects if present. The pit closure design may also lead to enhancement of
Na-Cl in the long term through evaporative concentration. D esign of an appropriate
passive pit closure scheme is especially relevant to long term groundwater quality in the
region
