Turkish Mine Site Undergoes Further Hydrogeological Study

By Mike Dobr, Burnaby, BC, Canada

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For a project like the Efemcukuru underground gold mine in Turkey, understanding the surface water and groundwater conditions is very important to address potential impacts of the mine development on the surrounding environment.

During Golder's multi-year involvement with the project in the western Aegean region of Turkey, we have carried out numerous hydrological and hydrogeological field investigations. These have helped to support development of the environmental baseline study and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project.

Current plans call for producing some 70,000 to 80,000 ounces of gold from the Efemcukuru mine annually.

Golder is currently conducting supplemental hydrological, hydrogeological, and geochemical evaluation to support a new EIA study being prepared as part of a proposed mine expansion. We are updating and recalibrating the existing numerical groundwater model, evaluating seepage migration from the waste storage facilities, and updating the water management plan and water balance.

The existing 3D groundwater numerical model was developed during the design phase of the project to simulate potential groundwater inflows into the proposed mine development. Now, with the mine built and operations started, the model needs to be recalibrated with the actual groundwater inflow data measured in the already excavated underground workings.

Seepage migration from the expanded and new mine waste storage facilities is being evaluated to address the proposed mine expansion. This will help to assess the seepage quality and water quality downstream of these facilities.

The current water management plan and site-wide water balance require revisions to address the proposed modifications to the existing waste deposition area, addition of the new waste storage area, and construction of the new haul roads. These updates will modify the existing water management infrastructure and also consider the impacts of the other new infrastructure being proposed.