Saturated Rock Fill (SRF) facilities are an increasingly important water treatment technology for selenium and nitrate attenuation in mining environments, yet their performance is strongly influenced by complex hydrogeological processes. This presentation provides an in-depth examination of flow behavior in SRFs, drawing on more than a decade of research, field data, and full-scale operational experience in the Elk Valley, British Columbia.
Using tracer studies, conceptual models, and density-dependent numerical modeling, the presentation explores key mechanisms such as flow stratification, residence times, and entrainment of non-injected water. Case studies from the EVO and FRON SRFs demonstrate how these processes affect treatment efficiency and effluent chemistry, and highlight practical considerations for SRF design, operation, and performance prediction.
