Mine Water

The Australian coal mining industry is under increasingly intense public and political scrutiny because its license to operate is linked with unprecedented social and environmental accountability. Much of this accountability is associated with water management to ensure that the mine operations do not have an adverse impact on the environment or water resource.

Due to the rock mass deformations associated with longwall mining, unexpected adverse interaction with these water bodies may result if mining is not properly managed. In addition, aquifer interference is the subject of legislative controls and community concern in Australia, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales. Thus the ability to predict and manage mining induced water inflows and aquifer interference can significantly affect mining safety and economics.