7th BALKANMINE CONGRESS – Proceedings, Prijedor 2017

DOI: 10.7251/BMC170702211B

GROUNDWATER MONITORING AFTER THE CESSATION OF

LEACHINGOF COPPER ORE IN THE OPEN-PIT MINE KAZANDOL
MACEDONIA

Trajĉe BOŠEVSKI1, Milinko RADOSAVLJEVIĆ2, Vladan ĈANOVIĆ2, Violeta

ĈOLAKOVIĆ2
1
Rudproekt, Skopje , Macedonia, tb@rudproekt.com
2
Mining institute, Belgrade, Serbia, direktor@ribeograd.ac.rs, vladan.canovic@ribeograd.ac.rs,
violeta.colakovic@ribeograd.ac.rs

ABSTRACT

Mining Institute of Belgrade has conducted the project of recultivation and landscaping of the area
after the permanent cessation of mining operations of the copper cathode production complex
Kazandol in Macedonia. The specific feature of the mine Kazandol is the exploitation of copper by ore
leaching. The subject of this paper is one of the most important tasks within the project - a solution to
the establishment of groundwater monitoring after the termination of the mining complex operations.

Key words: Monitoring, Groundwater, Leaching of copper ore, Kazandol

1. INTRODUCTION

Open-pit mine Kazandol is located in the southeastern region of Republic of Macedonia. The
specific feature of the mine Kazandol is the exploitation of copper by ore leaching.
The groundwater level measurement (GWL) is conducted monthly in piezometers.The
collected data transferred to a hypsometric model of groundwater levels, and the direction of
groundwater currents. According to these measurements the average GWL is 15-30 m, at 6
measuring points there are registered depths greater than 35 m, even over 50 m. Considering
that the exploration field is dominated by compact impermeable rocks, it is not expected any
disruption of natural conditions and currents of groundwater.
The assessment is that the low level of drainage of the mine field and hydrogeologic
conditions do not require facilities to protect against groundwater. The geometry and spatial
position of the mining facilities (quarries, heap leaching pad and overburden dumpsite) is
such that during and after cessation of mining activities, these facilities will not be affected by
groundwater.
Therefore, the area of the mining complex Kazandol is characterized with low amount of
rainfall, high air temperature, great evapotranspiration, small surface run-off, and therefore no

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significant inflow of groundwater is expected that would endanger the mining facilities and
activities.
After the permanent cessation of work in Kazandol follows the reclamation and landscape
work on the mining area, and the fact that specific exploitation technology has been applied,
the monitoring is highlighted as a very important and complex activity for surveillance of
waters.
The aim is to protect the environment, prevention of potentially adverse impacts on the
environment, and if in some circumstances it comes to it, creating conditions for their
efficient and successful removal. The complex monitoring measures start at the beginning of
the work with opening the mine and construction of the processing plant, up until the
successful completion of the reclamation and landscaping, with full respect of the legal
regulations.

2. GROUNDWATER MONITORING

In order to determine the zero reference, or the initial state of water quality, the first
monitoring sample of the groundwater should begin before the initial start of the mining
activities and construction of the complex for processing. Water monitoring is performed
continuously during the exploitation activities as well as during the reclamation and
landscaping of the area, with possibility to be prolonged.
The facilities for groundwater monitoring will be used after cessation of mining activities and
the leaching process, during the three-year biological reclamation and landscaping of the area,
with possibility to be prolonged. There is no need of new facilities for water monitoring
during the reclamation and landscaping of the area.
The monitoring of effluents is indicator of the successful neutralization of the acidity of the
heap leaching pad, in order to prevent pollution and hazards.
During the process of neutralization, it is necessary to introduce a monitoring system of the
quality of the effluents that flow of the landfill. Samples of the effluents should be taken
before, during and after the neutralization.At the beginning the findings should be alkaline,
and over time the alkaline would be reduced to a certain level.
The cycle of the neutralization has five stages, including the monitoring:
1. Sampling for monitoring.
2. Active – 2 months. At the end of this stage, samples are taken for monitoring.
3. Passive – 2 months. The heap is not treated with solution. During this period
neutralization process occurs, the metals are sedimented and hardened. At the end of
this stage, samples are taken for monitoring.
4. Active – 2 months. At the end of this stage, samples are taken for monitoring
5. Passive – 2 months. The heap is not treated with solution. At the end of this stage,
samples are taken for monitoring.

After the neutralization, when the alkaline effluent will reach its stability, the monitoring is
done once to twice a year (usually after rainy period) in the following two years, using the
ISO 5667 and ISO 11885 standards for water quality.
The monitoring network for chemism sampling and possible chemical changes in the water,
envisions four boreholes with piezometer installation: piezometer S-1 in the heap leaching

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pad zone, S-2 at the operating pond, S- 3 at the emergency pond and S-4 in the raffinate pond.
Apart piezometers, the monitoring network includes two shafts (SH-1 and SH-2) under the
heap leaching pad, designed to track the effect of the impermeable foil on the bottom of the
heap.
If the final results of the water quality monitoring are satisfactory up to the beginning of
biological reclamation, the monitoring of the quality (chemism) of groundwater will continue
with sampling only from piezometer S-3.
In the first year, during three months, four water analysis will be performed. If the results of
the first year are satisfactory and show minor deviations, during the second and third year the
water chemism will continue to be monitored every six months, twice a year.
The decision on termination of monitoring the groundwater chemism depends on the
comparative analysis of the results of all chemical analysis, in terms of "zero reference" and
the current situation.

3. CONCLUSION

Groundwater monitoring after the permanent cessation of leaching in the complex Kazandol
is important and complex task to do. The complexity lays in the two-staged implementation
(exploitation and reclamation) and more functional monitoring of the groundwater. The
establishment and effective implementation of all functional monitoring forms is imperative
to the implementation of the project for the exploitation of copper ore at Kazandol, with direct
effects on safe production, execution of works, environmental safety and environmental
protection.

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