STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND THE LIMITED DISCHARGE SYSTEM OF THE BATU HIJAU MINE

摘要

Managing stormwater runoff and limiting its discharge at the Batu Hijau mine is critical to the success of this copper/gold mining project. As is common in tropical environments, the area experiences frequent high intensity rainfall events, resulting in significant erosion and sedimentation challenges associated with the overburden stockpiles that will ultimately store 2 billion tonnes of potentially acid generating soil and rock. The stormwater management plan developed for the mine included construction of numerous diversion channels constructed through steep terrain, massive sediment control features that provide 9 million cubic meters of storage, and a 3,600 liter per second, high-head pumping system. The result is a limited discharge facility for the entire mine area. The cost of managing stormwater and sediment control is 150 million dollars.