1 IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SOLUTION MINING ON GROUNDWATER

This study presents the hydrogeological impact assessment of the Kazan Trona project area, Turkey, where solution mining will be used to extract the source. Geological, hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical data are used to define hydrogeological units and flow conditions in the area. Three aquifers systems were identified and interactions between them were conceptualized into a site hydrogeological model. A finite difference groundwater flow model was developed to represent aquifer systems and the flow conditions. The model has been calibrated under steady state and transient conditions. Model outputs have shown good agreement between the observed and simulated heads, and flow conditions. The volumetric budget of the system was continuously checked with estimated groundwater budget components. Results confirmed the accuracy of the numerical groundwater flow model and verified the conceptual understanding of the area. The resulting model was used in conjunction with a three dimensional transport model to simulate the impacts of the solution mining of trona deposit on groundwater resources in the area. The results demonstrate that pilot well solution-mining of trona deposit will not have significant impact on quality of groundwater resources in the overlying aquifers