THE HENGELO CASE: SUSTAINABLE RAW BRINE PRODUCTION AND BRINE FIELD DEVELOPMENT

摘要

This paper gives an overview of more than 75 years of solution mining in the Hengelo brine field, the Netherlands and provides an outlook for the development of a sustainable new brine field.Starting with an historical overview of the methods of solution mining applied, the present mining process is described. The mode of operation is strongly influenced by the introduction of new mining legislation in 2003 and the present and foreseeable urban development in the mining area. The overview concludes with the management of subsidence due to former mining activitiesDriven by geological and spatial constraints the development of a new brine field outside the limits of the present mining license is planned. Instrumental in the execution of the project is the analysis of available spatial surface and subsurface data in the public domain, followed by a dedicated exploration campaign. The use of a Geographical Information System (GIS) is instrumental in handling and analyzing vast amounts of spatial data in order to obtain information relevant for the decision making process. A step-wise approach is adopted in order to secure efficient and effective project execution and to minimize uncertainties and risks. Experience shows that non-technical issues play a crucial role in the realization of sustainable raw brine production capability.