Coal mine water management: optimization models and field application in North China

This paper considers the complexity in resolving the conflicts between mine drainage, water supply, and environmental protection for the coal basin of North China, and presents a management optimization framework that addresses these multiple conflicting issues simultaneously in the most cost effective manner. Due to the various unpredictable accidents which may occur in the coal mining process, such as water bursts, gas leaks, fire and collapse of coal beds, the beneficial use of drainage water from the coal mines is generally low. This case study attempts to address the problem of low beneficial usage for drainage water using the Jiaozuo coal mining district in Henan Province, China. By combining a finite-element groundwater simulation model with an optimization code, the economic benefits of using the drainage water as a stable water supply is maximized, while the adverse impact of mine drainage on the environment is controlled. The results indicate that the management model developed in this study achieves an excellent economic outcome and can serve as a potentially powerful tool for solving mining-related water management problems in the coal basin of North China.