Ground Water Monitoring Modelling Presentation

CAROONA COAL PROJECT
Groundwater Update
Summary of Field Monitoring and

Groundwater Model Development
Date: 10/10/2011
Australasian Groundwater &

Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd
BHP Billiton commitments

The BHP Billiton commitments and EL conditions significantly reduce the
likelihood of impacts on groundwater systems. BHP Billiton has committed
to:
no longwall mining underneath the floodplain;

no longwall mining underneath the deep alluvial irrigation aquifers;
no open cut mining anywhere within the EL; and
no mining of any description outside of the target area
BHP Billiton publicly stated in 2006 that they would not put forward a
proposed mining development that would negatively impact the deep
alluvial irrigation aquifers.
Date: 10/10/2011

Key issues
The key issues the groundwater study will address are determining if:
there are significant aquifers in the older rocks apart from the coal seams,
eg sandstone beds;
groundwater inflow to an underground mine from the coal seam and
fractured overburden will occur;
there is an impact on the alluvial aquifers from the possible depressurization
of the coal seams and overburden due to the removal of water by
underground mining activities below the ridge areas;
there is potential to impact water quality or quantity used for irrigation, stock
and domestic supplies;
subsidence from underground mining will impact on the recharge of the
alluvial aquifers;
there is potential for subsidence to capture stream flow;
there is potential for leakage from the alluvium.
NB: the groundwater study will be reviewed with consideration of outcomes

from the Namoi Catchment Water Study.
Date: 10/10/2011

Outline
Section 1
Overview of Groundwater System
Groundwater investigation and monitoring program
Section 2
Building a groundwater model
How a groundwater model works
Using the groundwater model
Date: 10/10/2011

Section 1
GROUNDWATER SYSTEM
Date: 10/10/2011

Groundwater system
What makes a groundwater system?
An aquifer is defined as a formation that is capable of transmitting and
yielding groundwater in useable quantities.
The distribution and inter-relationship of the aquifers is referred to as the
groundwater regime.
There are 3 aquifer systems in the Caroona EL Area
alluvial aquifers
fractured rock aquifers; coal seams, some sandstones
regolith
Date: 10/10/2011

Groundwater system
Alluvial aquifers occur as deep (>100m) infilled palaeo-channels. They
consist of sand, gravel and clay deposited by ancient streams and, as
such, correspond to the extent of the floodplain. They contain
groundwater generally of good quality and are generally high yielding.
The fractured rock aquifers belong to the older sedimentary formations
of which the coal seams and some sandstone beds are the main
aquifers.
The fractured rock aquifers are poorer aquifers with respect to yield and
water quality, compared to the alluvial aquifers.
Groundwater also occurs in very small quantities in the regolith or
weathered zone on ridge areas
Date: 10/10/2011

Groundwater system distribution of aquifers
Date: 10/10/2011
Groundwater flow in
the main alluvial
aquifer is from south
to north with the
Liverpool Ranges in
the south being a
prime recharge area

Groundwater system cross section
SCHEMATIC - NOT TO SCALE

Date: 10/10/2011

Section 1
GROUNDWATER
INVESTIGATION AND
MONITORING PROGRAM
Date: 10/10/2011

Importance of field investigations and monitoring

Defining groundwater systems requires an understanding of the
following:
the regional hydrogeology (groundwater system) of the area;

the relationship between the aquifers;
the impact of mining on the aquifer systems.
To achieve this field investigations and monitoring is undertaken to

determine:
the extent of the alluvial and bedrock aquifers;

baseline groundwater levels and response to pumping and
recharge events;
baseline groundwater quality and variation over time and locality;
the degree of interconnection between the alluvial aquifers and
underlying deeper coal seam/sandstone aquifers, that is
the permeability or tightness of the strata separating the alluvial

aquifers from the deeper aquifers
the permeability of the weathered material at the base of alluvium
The data collected from field investigations and monitoring is used

to inform and develop a 3D numerical groundwater model.
Date: 10/10/2011

Summary of Monitoring Completed
Date: 10/10/2011
A FalconTM airborne
geophysical survey
was completed
This technology uses
a sensing instrument
to measure the rate of
change in rock
properties.
Contributes to
understanding
topography and rock
density to define the
thickness and extent
of the alluvium

Alluvial boundaries
Understanding the alluvial boundary contributes to understanding the
groundwater systems within the EL
Sourced from Umwelt Floodplain Definition presentation August 2011
Date: 10/10/2011

Monitoring sites
Date: 10/10/2011

Bore monitoring sites
Date: 10/10/2011
Site C76
Site C50
Site C282
Site C102

Data logger and VWP installation
Date: 10/10/2011

Monitoring program summary

66 monitoring boreholes drilled at 31 sites
14 sites (33 boreholes) on Mooki alluvial plain

3 sites (3 boreholes) on Nicholas Ridge
8 sites (18 boreholes) on Doona Ridge
6 sites (12 boreholes) on Yarraman alluvial plain
29 bores monitoring in the alluvial aquifer

22 on Mooki alluvial plain
7 on Yarraman alluvial plain
47 bores monitoring groundwater quality every 3-4 months
29 alluvial sites
4 coal seams
3 Clare Sandstone
11 regolith
47 bores with data loggers set to record at 6 or 12 hour intervals

18 bores installed with VWPs 110 VWPs in total
Date: 10/10/2011

Monitoring summary
Date: 10/10/2011

Borehole log
Borehole log showing:
Lithology
Monitoring Bore construction
Some of the geophysical logs
that were run
A Borehole Log is produced for
all monitoring bores that are
installed
Date: 10/10/2011

Permeability tests
Four types of tests
Pump out tests

Packer (Lugeon) tests
Interference tests
Falling head tests
Laboratory tests on core samples
Date: 10/10/2011

Lugeon or Packer test (192 No.)

This type of test involves:
Single-hole in situ test of
formation permeability
This test is performed by
measuring the volume of
water taken in a section of
test hole as the hole is
pressurized
Date: 10/10/2011

Falling/Rising head test (46 No.)

This type of test involves:
Inserting or removing
a specific quantity
(slug) of water and
measuring the rate of
recovery to the static
level
Date: 10/10/2011

Pumping Tests Interaction between aquifers

SITE C102
Pumping Rate =
1.58ML/day
(18.3L/s)
No impact on Clift
Seam aquifer, 53m
below base of
alluvium
Evidence that
overburden is tight
and that there is no
hydraulic connection
between alluvium
and Clift Seam
285.00
24 hour Constant Rate Pumping Test
RecoveryTest
284.50
Groundwater Level (RLm)
284.00
283.50
283.00
282.50
282.00
C102B (17-20m)
C102A (33-36m)
281.50
C102D (89-95m)
C102C (148-154m)
281.00
28/05/08 4:48
28/05/08 9:36
28/05/08 14:24
Date: 10/10/2011
28/05/08 19:12
29/05/08 0:00
29/05/08 4:48
29/05/08 9:36
29/05/08 14:24
29/05/08 19:12

Pumping tests interaction between aquifers

SITE C199
Pumping Rate =
5.88ML/day (68L/s)
No impact on
Hoskisson Seam
aquifer, 46m below
base of alluvium
Evidence that
overburden is tight
and that there is no
hydraulic connection
between alluvium and
Hoskisson Seam
Date: 10/10/2011

Summary of monitoring completed

The installation of an extensive array of monitoring bores on the alluvial
plains and the ridge areas.
Many monitoring bores were installed with data loggers set to monitor
groundwater level fluctuations in response to rainfall recharge, flooding and
irrigation, at 6-hour and 12-hour intervals.
NB: data has also been acquired from Government monitoring bores located
within the groundwater study area
Analysis of groundwater quality from samples collected from the

monitoring bores at 3-4 monthly intervals.
Groundwater quality is monitored from 47 bores, 29 in the alluvial
aquifer, 4 in coal seams, 3 in the Clare Sandstone and 11 in the regolith
of the ridge areas.
Date: 10/10/2011


Monitoring of groundwater pressures in the deep bedrock strata using
Vibrating Wire Piezometers (VWPs)
up to 8 VWPs installed at various depths in the one borehole.
total of 110 VWPs have been installed at 18 boreholes.
Completion of permeability tests using a variety of methods to assess:

rate of groundwater flow in the alluvial, coal seam and sandstone aquifers.
the tightness of the interburden to determine degree of interconnection of
the aquifers.
Geophysical logging of the bores to accurately define:

the thickness of the gravel and clay layers in the alluvium
the thickness of the coal seam, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone and
conglomerate layers in the Permian bedrock.
NB: The data was used to develop a 3D geological model of the extent and thickness of
the stratigraphic layers across the EL Area
Date: 10/10/2011


Investigations and analysis of data to assess the permeability at the
base of alluvium, particularly in areas where the coal seams are likely
to subcrop beneath the alluvium.
Isotope dating of groundwater in the various aquifers in order to assess
the relative age of the waters in each aquifer and the degree of
intermixing (if any) of the waters, that is the degree of interconnection
between the aquifers.
Date: 10/10/2011

Section 3
HOW A GROUNDWATER
MODEL WORKS
Date: 10/10/2011

What type of model?

Selection of 3D numerical groundwater model
100,000s of cells all interacting with each other
Complexity of groundwater system
Requirement to simulate vertical and horizontal flow
The model will allow determinations to be made in regard to:

whether depressurization of the coal seams and overburden will impact the
alluvial aquifers;
groundwater inflow to the mine from the coal seam, adjacent aquifers and
vertical cracking zone;
the impact on water quality and quantity used for irrigation, stock and
domestic/town supplies.
Date: 10/10/2011

What is a groundwater model?
MDBC (Murray Darling Basin Commission) definition

A computer-based representation of the essential features of a natural
hydrogeological system that uses the laws of science and mathematics.
Date: 10/10/2011

Made up of cells
Date: 10/10/2011


What happens during a model run?
Account Balance - Model Cell

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
Date: 10/10/2011



Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
Date: 10/10/2011



Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
Date: 10/10/2011



Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
5
80
Date: 10/10/2011



Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
5
10
70
Date: 10/10/2011



Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
5
10
70
Date: 10/10/2011


+10

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
10
80
Date: 10/10/2011


-20

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
Date: 10/10/2011


and with time:-

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
Date: 10/10/2011


and with time:-

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
5
25
40
Date: 10/10/2011


and with time:-

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
5
25
40
30
5
65
Date: 10/10/2011


and with time:-

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
5
25
40
30
5
65
30
5
90
Date: 10/10/2011


and with time:-

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
5
25
40
30
5
65
30
5
90
5
20
75
Date: 10/10/2011


and with time:-

Deposits
Withdrawls
Balance
75
15
30
60
5
25
40
30
5
65
30
5
90
5
20
75
10
30
55
Date: 10/10/2011

Recharge processes (source)

Recharge
Recharge to the aquifer occurs from:
rainfall events
river leakage
down valley through-flow
Low rates of recharge occur on ridge areas

most of this water becomes runoff and infiltrates at the edges of alluvium
Date: 10/10/2011

Discharge processes (sink)

Discharge
Discharge occurs through:
river baseflow
production bores
evaporation
down valley through-flow
Date: 10/10/2011

Section 2
BUILDING A
GROUNDWATER MODEL
Date: 10/10/2011

Modelling process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Data Collection / Collation

Conceptualisation
Model Generation
Model Calibration
Review of Model Calibration
Scenario Simulations
if calibration is
not adequate
NB: Model is being built with adherence to the MDBC Groundwater

Modelling Guidelines
Date: 10/10/2011

What goes into a model?

Field data
Groundwater monitoring
Water levels
Structure permeability
Understanding geology
Aquifer structure
Selection of model software

Appropriate to model saturated groundwater systems
Consider vertical and horizontal interactions
Must have the functionality to simulate the major features of groundwater system
within the study area
Modeller expert knowledge and experience
Date: 10/10/2011

Model area
Plan view of the model area
showing:
30km
35km
Outcrop and alluvial areas

Lease boundary (red)
Model boundary (dark blue)
Model requires data beyond

the mining lease area to
ensure all potential impacts
are captured by the model
NB: this figure was prepared prior to

commissioning and development of
floodplain definition studies
Date: 10/10/2011

Model layers
Layer 1 Narrabri Formation + regolith

Layer 2 Gunnedah Formation + regolith
Layer 3 Interburden A
Layer 4 Interburden B
Layer 5 Clift Seam
Layer 6 Interburden C
Layer 7 Clare Sandstone
Layer 8 Interburden D
Layer 9 Interburden E
Layer 10 Upper Hoskisson Seam
Layer 11 Lower Hoskisson Seam
Layer 12 Arkarula Sandstone
Layer 13 Simulated Melville seam (Upper)
Layer 14 Interburden below simulated Melville seam
Date: 10/10/2011

3D model structure
The below figure is an example cross section of the EL area showing the
various layers
Date: 10/10/2011

Example model grid EL area

The model grid shows:
More to add here
Date: 10/10/2011
variable discretisation
into cells (cells are
smaller where detail is
required)
cells involved in the
simulation of the Mooki
River, Quirindi and
Yarraman Creeks
Model grid bounded by
Mooki Thrust Fault to the
east

Model development process
Model initially developed and run in steady state mode
A steady state is where there is a balance between the model inputs and
outputs for a single water level solution
Development progresses to a transient simulation that will be

calibrated against historical groundwater level behaviour over a 30
year period.
A calibrated model can then be used to make determinations of how

the underground mining practices may impact on groundwater levels
and flow within the study area.
A series of scenarios will then be developed and run through the

model and results can then be analysed to assess any potential mine
design
Date: 10/10/2011

Model Calibration
The steady state and transient model will be calibrated through varying
aquifer parameters (transmissivity and storage) and boundary flows
(recharge) to obtain a history match to available field observations
The steady state model results will become the starting water levels for
the transient simulation
The transient model will simulate a 30 year period from 1980 to 2009
and will include the following:
Stress periods recorded on a quarterly basis. This will mean that boundary
conditions such as groundwater extraction and recharge remain at a
constant rate for the 3 month period.
Recorded rainfall for recharge estimation
Metered extraction where/when available, otherwise seasonal variation in
long term averages.
Stream water level behaviour
Date: 10/10/2011

Section 2
USING A GROUNDWATER
MODEL
Date: 10/10/2011

Scenario simulations
A number of mining sequence scenarios will be simulated.
Example sequence scenarios
Start
Finish
Total Time
(Years)
Number of Stress Periods
Number of Stages
SEQ 1
1/01/2010
23/09/2052
42.73
513
63
SEQ 2
1/01/2010
11/03/2051
41.19
495
63
SEQ 3
1/01/2010
19/08/2042
32.63
392
47
These example scenarios labelled SEQ1, SEQ2, and SEQ3 represent

different mining operation schedules and different coal seam layer
extraction options.
Date: 10/10/2011

Scenario simulations
Scenario simulations are commonly split into stages
Stages can be defined by when mining of individual longwall panels is
completed. At this point the simulation would be stopped, the drains are
removed, and changes to vertical hydraulic conductivity (representing the
GOAF) and to storage parameters within the mined seam are made
The final predicted groundwater levels of the stage go to form the starting
conditions for the next stage with the parameter changes in place.
NB: GOAF (Ground Opposite Adjacent Face) represents the area left when
mining is completed
Date: 10/10/2011

Scenario simulations - Possible outputs

A detailed 3D numerical groundwater model can predict:
groundwater levels at a given time;

drawdowns (when compared to a no-mine scenario);
mine water inflow rates;
hydrographs at observation points;
movement of water from the alluvium to other aquifers.
Date: 10/10/2011

WHERE TO NEXT?
Date: 10/10/2011

Where to next?
Where to next?
The groundwater monitoring study is on-going.
Development of the 3D numerical groundwater model will continue and
as more data becomes available it will added to the model, including
results from 3D Seismic Studies completed within the EL target areas.
The 3D numerical groundwater model development and methodology
used will continue to be independently reviewed by a recognised
industry expert.
The 3D numerical groundwater model will also be reviewed with
consideration to any outcomes of the Namoi Catchment Water Study.
When complete the model will:
Provide predictions on the potential changes to the local and regional

groundwater systems resulting from underground mining which will be
based on sound scientific information and current best practices.
Date: 10/10/2011


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CAROONA COAL PROJECT

Summary of Field Monitoring and

Australasian Groundwater &

BHP Billiton commitments

no longwall mining underneath the floodplain;

Australasian Groundwater &

NB: the groundwater study will be reviewed with consideration of outcomes

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Groundwater system distribution of aquifers

Australasian Groundwater &

Groundwater system cross section

SCHEMATIC - NOT TO SCALE

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Importance of field investigations and monitoring

the regional hydrogeology (groundwater system) of the area;

To achieve this field investigations and monitoring is undertaken to

the extent of the alluvial and bedrock aquifers;

the permeability or tightness of the strata separating the alluvial

The data collected from field investigations and monitoring is used

Australasian Groundwater &

Summary of Monitoring Completed

Australasian Groundwater &

Sourced from Umwelt Floodplain Definition presentation August 2011

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Bore monitoring sites

Australasian Groundwater &

Data logger and VWP installation

Australasian Groundwater &

Monitoring program summary

14 sites (33 boreholes) on Mooki alluvial plain

29 bores monitoring in the alluvial aquifer

47 bores monitoring groundwater quality every 3-4 months

47 bores with data loggers set to record at 6 or 12 hour intervals

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &

Borehole log showing:

Australasian Groundwater &

Pump out tests

Australasian Groundwater &

Lugeon or Packer test (192 No.)

Australasian Groundwater &

Falling/Rising head test (46 No.)

Australasian Groundwater &

Pumping Tests Interaction between aquifers

Groundwater Level (RLm)

Australasian Groundwater &

Pumping tests interaction between aquifers

Australasian Groundwater &

Summary of monitoring completed

Analysis of groundwater quality from samples collected from the

Australasian Groundwater &

Summary of monitoring completed

Completion of permeability tests using a variety of methods to assess:

Geophysical logging of the bores to accurately define:

Australasian Groundwater &

Summary of monitoring completed

Australasian Groundwater &

Australasian Groundwater &