The influence of in-pit tailings deposition, long-term salinisation and potential wind sheltering were assessed for a pit lake water balance.
Tailings slurry water content had a major influence. At 42% water content it was similar to surface water and groundwater inflow rates but at 80% water content it was about 5 times higher.
For scenarios with and without salinity and wind sheltering corrections, pit lake water levels varied by 3m to 22.5m, depending on pit morphology. Steeper slopes result in greater variability.
The work shows that operational, morphological, geotechnical and geochemical factors can have a substantial effect on outcomes.
