Mine Dewatering

Any professional miner, whether he’s a coal miner in Kentucky or a diamond miner in Africa, knows the danger of water in a mine. Dry working conditions are critical to mining, as they reduce wear and tear on machinery, reduce costs, and ensure maximum safety through shaft stability. To achieve dry working conditions, a miner must first locate the source of the ground water, or else he will find himself wasting precious time and resources on a fruitless cause.

Dewatering for mines can be achieved through a number of ways, whether it’s diverting the water or simply pumping it out. Each scenario will be different, so there is no right or blanket answer when discussing possible strategies. However, after locating the source of the water, a miner can then determine the best path to take.

Diversion is exactly what it sounds like- redirecting the flow of water through the use of grouting and pipes to keep it safely out of your way. This method can be dangerous if the water pressure is not monitored- if your pipes are too small, you can cause critical water back up that could both seriously injure someone and put a hold on your whole operation.

Pumping the water is also pretty self-explanatory- this method reduces the overall groundwater level by removing the moisture from the soil and pumping it outside of the mine. This method requires a number of dewatering pumps and the knowledge of how to use them, but it is almost always effective, if not a little more time consuming.

However you do it, dewatering for mines is an essential part of the whole process, ensuring safety, stability, and longer lasting equipment.