Underground water treatment at the Kidd Creek Mines

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 81, No. 918, 1988

M.K. WALTER Kidd Creek Mines Ltd.

The underground operations of Kidd Creek Mines uses an average of 450 U.S. gpm water during regular operations, and discharges an average of 800 U.S. gpm through consecutive staged pumping lifts of 1200ft. Water is used as a flushing medium for the drilling operations and as a dust suppressant for drawpoint mucking. The water retains an average of 5% suspended solids by weight which is removed underground before being pumped to the surface. This paper outlines the treatment of the mine water for the removal of suspended solids which are chemically treated to settle out as a sludge product of 60% solids by weight. This process reduces the sludge handling operation by 50%. The sludge is systematically disposed into the ore passes.

Keywords: Underground mining, Water treatment, Sludge handling, Kidd Creek Mines, Waste water control.