Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

TECHNICAL PROGRAM
2:25 PM
Investigation of Pit Slope Depressurisation for an Open Pit Iron
Ore Mine in the Pilbara, Western Australia
A. Dodman, G. Beale and J. Rodriguez Casanova; Schlumberger
Water Services, Perth, WA, Australia
Iron Ore mining operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia are currently
undergoing unprecedented growth. Expansion of active open-cut mines
and development of new deposits below the pre-mining water table, present significant
challenges in terms of general mine dewatering and pit slope depressurisation.
This paper presents a case study of a staged hydrogeological study for a
large high wall at an active iron ore mine in the Pilbara. The bulk stratigraphy is
structurally complex, defined by alternating banded iron formation (BIF) and
shale macro-band sequences, with a saturated low permeability footwall shale
and potential hydraulic connectivity between the local ore body groundwater
system and a regional dolomite aquifer. Installed vibrating wire piezometers
(VWPs) show a strong response to pumping within the mineralised BIF. In contrast,
high pore pressures prevail within the deep shale units. The study demonstrates
the importance of integration between hydrogeological and geotechnical
programs to provide adequate planning for the design and implementation of
dewatering and slope depressurisation systems, and presents key learning outcomes
for similar environments.
2:45 PM
Measurement of Inflow to Underground Mines for Water Balance
and Operational Mine Water Management
L. Cope; SRK Consulting Inc., Fort Collins, CO
Integral to developing a mine water balance is the need to accurately measure the
variety of flows that can occur in an underground operation. Groundwater inflow
to an underground mine can be complex, and if not done carefully, can result
in overestimates of flow by redundant measurements or under estimates by
missing flow. Further, a flow measurement system, if not carefully conceived can
fail to provide the information that can drive decisions about mixing or segregating
water for discharge, treatment, or process makeup. With clear objectives to
quantifying specific areas of inflow and the locations of mixed and un-mixed waters,
an investigator can identify sources of water using water chemistry and precipitation
pulses. With care, inflows can be identified as sourced by rapid
recharge from the surface, or by inflows from mineralized, mining impacted, and
un-mineralized volumes of rock. The paper presents lessons learned about the
relative strengths and weaknesses of a variety of measurement methods, and describes
design and installation techniques that can maximize value of the data
collected. Data are presented that illustrate effective measurement techniques.
3:05 PM
Use of High Efficiency Electrical Submersible Pumps for Large
Scale Mine Dewatering
K. Lang 1 and M. Hartmann 2 ; 1 Schlumberger, Denver, CO and
2
Schlumberger, Denver, CO
A case study is presented that highlights the successful use of high efficiency electrical
submersible pumps (ESPs) adapted from the oil and gas industry for a large
scale, open pit mine dewatering operation. In this case, Goldcorps PeÒasquito
Mine, PeÒasco and Chile Colorado open pit developments in Zacatecas, Mexico.
Specific advantages associated with the use of ESPs for mine dewatering operations
are provided. At the time of publication there were 18 vertical bedrock dewatering
wells producing an average flow rate of 350 liters per second (lps) at the
PeÒasco and Chile Colorado open pit developments. Average pumping rate per
well was 18 lps, with a maximum of 44 lps. The depth of wells varies from 330 to
800 meters, and includes both in-pit and ex-pit pumping centers. A network of 50
piezometers, was used to monitor the response of groundwater levels to pumping.
Since dewatering operations were initiated in 2007, groundwater elevations
decreased overall, from approximately 1950 meters above sea level (masl) to
around 1625 masl, for a total of 340 meters of drawdown. The pit floor elevation
was approximately 1655 masl.
3:25 PM
Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) How Will It Affect the
Phosphate Industry in Florida?
S. Bandy; Mosaic, Lithia, FL
In December 2010, as a part of the consent decree, EPA published its rule for numeric
nutrient standards for lakes, flowing waters, and springs within Florida.
The rule was immediately challenged by various entities including the State of
Florida. On June 13, 2012, FDEP submitted the State NNC rule as an alternative
and requested EPA to adopt it in place of the federal rule. EPA, in its initial response,
recognized that states have the primary role in establishing/implementing
water quality standards, and indicated that EPA is prepared to withdraw the
federal inland standards if FDEP adopts, and EPA approves, the state approach.
Numeric nutrient standards will have profound impact on Floridas phosphate industry.
This paper provides a brief history of the rule making, highlights the complexities
due to numerous legal challenges against the EPA rule, and illustrates
the state approach for implementing numeric standards. The paper also addresses
the challenges likely to be faced by the industry to maintain compliance with the
NNC requirements, and discusses available strategies for existing NPDES outfalls,
as well as potential challenges associated with permitting new outfalls.
chair:
Mining & exploration:
Management: construction/Startup
Project Management
2:00 PM • Wednesday, February 27
2:00 PM
Introductions
J. Robertson, Hatch, Scottsdale, AZ
2:05 PM
NIMBYs and the Politics of the Permitting Process
D. Copeland; Calvert Street Group, Nashville, TN
When seeking a new mining permit, the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) crowd
can derail the best-laid plans. Managing local politics can help secure necessary
permits. This presentation is designed to highlight real-world community and public
relations techniques to overcome permitting challenges. We will focus on opportunities
applicable to landowners, companies, developers, and operators of any
size. Mining companies have a good story to tell, yet they can be vilified during the
permitting process. They provide resources, create jobs, and drive the local economy.
Yet there will always be vocal critics. How can effective public relations, outreach,
and education overcome negative attitudes and minimize opposition?
Tactics will be based around the following: pre-empting negative information;
sharing positive information and education; handling angry constituents; managing
elected officials; dealing with the press; strategic sponsorships and events; and
utilizing the resources around you. We will include real-world case studies of best
(and worst) practices. We will close with time for Q&A and encourage attendees
to discuss real-world examples of how to apply our tactics.
2:25 PM
The Role of the Project Management Professional
During Project Start-up
J. Anderson; Rider Levett Bucknall, Phoenix, AZ
A construction project can rarely conclude successfully if the start-up is poorly
executed. However, there can be a sense that all that is needed to achieve construction
start-up is to simply issue the construction team with a Notice to
Proceed. Most industry professionals understand from either their own experience
or from that of their industry friends that this is nowhere near the whole
story. From the perspective of a construction management professional, lessons
learned from starting up complex vertical construction projects apply very well to
other project types and can be used to avoid undesirable outcomes. This presentation
will highlight some lessons learned and describe a systematic, project management
based, approach to delivering on five key points in construction start-up,
namely (1) defining the key objectives, (2) communication with the construction
team, (3) client reporting (4) implementing QA/QC procedures and (5) budget
and schedule management.
2:45 PM
Construction Completion and Startup
T. Erhart; Hatch, Scottsdale, AZ
This presentation will cover the importance of the Construction Management
team members in the early stages of the project, and how to effectively plan a
project from the beginning throughout the completion and start-up of the facility.
The presentation will go into the detail of how the Construction Management
personnel will: Work with Commissioning in the Pre-Feasibility Phase of the
project to ensure the initial construction sequencing is aligned with the commissioning
of the facilities; Be involved with the project from the beginning of the
Feasibility Phase to conduct site visits, prepare construction execution plans and
provide input to the project team regarding site conditions; Work with
Engineering to define the Construction Work Package boundaries which are the
This is the Technical Program as of September 1, 2012. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Please see the Onsite Program for final details.