ISSN:
1745-6584
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Geosciences
Notes:
The Bunker Hill Mine, located near Kellogg, Idaho, is situated within highly fractured metasediments comprised of quartzites and argillites. Fractures, faults, and joints are the preferentially permeable pathways for ground-water flow. Identifying and grouting such features in an attempt to control ground-water recharge to the mine is a potential method for acid production abatement. In order to implement an effective grouting program, preferential pathways for ground-water recharge must be identified, delineated, and evaluated.Other researchers have identified the major flow paths and acid mine drainage producing zones within the mine. The objective of this project is to investigate the occurrence of minor structural features (fractures) that may constitute recharge pathways from unsaturated mountain slopes to underlying acid-producing rocks in or adjacent to mined-out areas. To accomplish this objective, a soil-gas measuring technique was employed to measure gaseous emissions that are hypothesized to be produced by chemical reactions between the acid mine drainage and carbonate-bearing rocks located within the mine. Carbon dioxide (CO2) was selected as a tracer for recharge pathways from mined-out openings to the ground surface; CO2 was measured using the probe extracted static grab sample/onsite analysis method. The method was tested over an observable fault. Three surficially unobservable fractures were identified within the study area. We hypothesize that these discontinuities are capable of transmitting water to the mine during recharge events.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1990.tb01714.x
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