In the arid expanses of eastern Inner Mongolia, where open-pit coal mines carve into the earth, a pressing challenge looms: balancing the thirst of industry with the scarcity of water. A recent study led by Tianci Chen from the School of Resources and Geosciences at China University of Mining and Technology sheds light on this delicate equilibrium, offering a roadmap for sustainable water management in mining areas.
Open-pit coal mines, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, face a stark reality: the more coal they extract, the more groundwater they lose. “The contradiction between coal mining and groundwater resource conservation is increasingly prominent,” Chen explains. The study, published in *Meitian dizhi yu kantan* (translated as *Modern Geology and Environmental Protection*), delves into the intricate relationships between four critical water resources: meteoric water, surface water, groundwater, and mine water.
Chen and his team employed a multifaceted approach, combining field surveys, borehole monitoring, laboratory hydrochemical tests, and numerical simulations. Their findings reveal that groundwater and mine water in the mining area are primarily replenished by meteoric water. However, the relentless extraction of coal has led to a significant groundwater loss of 3,081.2×104 cubic meters per year, forming a depression cone that spans an average area of 15.26 square kilometers.
The study proposes an innovative solution: a three-dimensional storage and comprehensive allocation system for the four water resources. This system encompasses five storage modes, including surface storage, pit bottom and slope storage, ecological aquifer reconstruction in waste dumps, and water reinjection into both the Quaternary loose aquifer and the deep bedrock aquifer in the coal seam floor.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. By efficiently storing and utilizing mine water, this system can alleviate regional water shortages and mitigate the environmental impact of coal mining. “The results of this study hold significant theoretical implications and considerable engineering application value,” Chen notes.
The study also outlines five water allocation and utilization pathways, catering to production, ecological, domestic, industrial, agricultural, and ecological needs within and around the mining area. By constructing an allocation model using an improved genetic algorithm, the researchers have paved the way for a sustainable water management philosophy that centers on water reinjection and dynamic storage.
The potential for this research to shape future developments in the field is immense. As the energy sector grapples with the dual demands of resource extraction and environmental conservation, innovative solutions like those proposed by Chen and his team offer a beacon of hope. By effectively reducing groundwater loss and facilitating regional groundwater table rise, this study not only addresses immediate challenges but also sets a precedent for sustainable practices in the industry.
In an era where the balance between economic development and environmental stewardship is more critical than ever, Chen’s research provides a compelling narrative of progress and responsibility. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the insights gleaned from this study will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future.