Evolution of the water level in a flooded open pit from the Iberian Pyrite Belt: Environmental implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55407/geogaceta95454Keywords:
La Zarza mine, pit lake, water balance, acid mine drainageAbstract
In May 2017, an acidic water spill of approximately 270,000 m3 occurred from the La Zarza mine pit lake, when the seal of an old mining adit was broken. In order to prevent the acidic water continuing to flow out the pit lake, waterproofing substances were injected into the adit. This paper studies the evolution of the water level in the open pit and the efficiency of the new sealing of the adit. The water level in the open pit has remained approximately constant in recent years, due to the low rainfall recorded. However, the water balance carried out shows that the level will continue to rise when this dry period ends. On the other hand, the hydrochemical analyses carried out at the mouth of the adit, where there is a small leachate of acidic water, show that the sealing carried out in 2017 is being effective and this water does not come from the pit lake.
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