Journal Article

A Hydro-Economic Model for Optimizing Management of Mine Water: A Case Study in the Suancigou Coal Mine, Northwestern China

Zhang, Xiao, Ding, Hanghang, Geng, Fuqiang, Mu, Wenping, Wu, Xiong, Yu, Shuai

2022

Overview

Comprehensive analysis of hydrogeological conditions at a typical coal mine in northwestern China allowed us to establish a groundwater numerical model, which we calibrated using the hydraulic head from observation wells. Then, based on groundwater numerical simulation and operational research theories, we established a hydro-economic mine water management model that was coupled with the numerical model by the response matrix method. The management model took mine dewatering, water supply, and environmental protection into consideration, and realized the maximization economic benefits under the mine’s hydraulic constraints. We obtained the unit impulse response function of the management model from the groundwater numerical model according to the superposition principle. Finally, the maximum economic value and optimization of water supply for users were calculated using the management model. Results showed that the management model can reduce the risk of water inrush while also raising lucrative economic income. It can ensure the sustainable supply of water resources, protect the environment, and balance the requirements of mine dewatering, water supply, and environmental protection. Due to the water shortages, fragile environment, and abundance of coal resources in northwestern China, this management model may be widely applicable in this area.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Aquifers / Coal / Coal mines / Coal mining / Dewatering / Earth and Environmental Science / Earth Sciences / Econometric models / Economic analysis / Economic benefits / Economic models / Economics / Ecotoxicology / Environmental impact / Environmental protection / Environmental risk / Geology / Groundwater / Hydraulics / Hydrogeology / Hydrology / Impulse response / Industrial Pollution Prevention / Lithology / Mathematical models / Matrix methods / Mine drainage / Mine waters / Mineral Resources / Mines / Numerical models / Observation wells / Operations research / Optimization / Permeability / Piezometric head / Response functions / Risk reduction / Stone / Superposition (mathematics) / Sustainable development / Technical Article / Water inrush / Water management / Water Quality/Water Pollution / Water resources / Water shortages / Water supply