The SRK Consulting practices in the UK and in Turkey were commissioned to conduct a comprehensive hydrogeological study for the Kışladağ open pit mining project. The project, located near the Gümüşkol village in western Turkey and, at the time operated by Tüprag Metal Madencilik A.Ş., aimed to enhance the stability of the open pit mine by investigating the hydrogeological conditions and determining effective dewatering strategies.
The project site resides in a transitional climatic regime between the continental and Mediterranean regions. The deposit type is gold porphyry and the geological setting complex with a mixture of fractured and faulted metamorphic and volcanic formations. The mine had been in operation for several years utilizing standard open pit mining techniques. At the time of SRK’s involvement, the final pit was planned to reach a depth of approximately 650 meters.
SRK's work involved a multi-phase approach. Initially, they conducted a scoping study to evaluate existing data and identify knowledge gaps. This was followed by an extensive field-testing program, which included drilling and packer and pumping tests to gather detailed hydrogeological data. The final phase involved the development of a numerical groundwater model to simulate and test various dewatering and depressurization strategies.
One of the key outcomes of SRK's work was the identification of the most effective dewatering methods for the site. SRK recommended the use of horizontal drains, which would allow for gravity-driven water flow, reducing the need for more complex and expensive pumping. This method was found to be particularly effective in the sites fractured rock environment.
SRK concluded their work with a set of recommendations for targeted dewatering coupled with improved monitoring to ensure the long-term stability of the pit slopes. Our comprehensive approach and innovative solutions have contributed significantly to the successful management of groundwater at the Kışladağ mine, ensuring safer and more efficient mining operations for the client.
