Acid Mine Drainage Remediation

Acid mine drainage is often associated with historic abandoned mines, and in certain situations, impounded water is a significant risk to safety and the environment. Traditionally, vertical holes may be installed into a mine pool to pump down the water level prior to re-entering the mine for remediation, but the drill site development and pumping requirements can be cost prohibitive in remote or high-volume sites. Horizontal directional drilling provides a useful alternative. Through steered borehole and controlled wellheads, REI sets up below the water level and intentionally intercepts the abandoned mine to create a gravity drain system. By utilizing gravity drainage, REI can lower long-term operational costs for mine operations, as well as minimize the amount of piping and trenching that must be installed to the treatment area.

Groundwater Plume Remediation

Horizontal directional drilling provides an effective approach to monitor and control groundwater contamination plumes. Rather than installing an array of vertical boreholes and maintaining multiple pumps along the perimeter of the plume, horizontal wells can be drilled within the targeted strata layer in order to intercept a vertical production well. Water is collected along the horizontal lateral and directed to the vertical well. A similar approach can be used for air sparging and soil vapor extraction remediation.

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Since its inception, REI Drilling has been on the leading edge of directional drilling applications for the mining industry. Our first projects focused on coalbed methane commercialization and degasification, but since those humble beginnings, we have continuously added new approaches and capabilities including geologic exploration, abandoned mine verification, and dewatering. We have used lessons learned from our work in coal to expand into evaporites, metal mining, reclamation, and civil projects, often finding that our unique skillset can open a range of new potential applications for clients. Our approach is the same: talk with the client, determine their needs and what value REI can add, and focus on how to achieve positive results.

Acid Mine Drainage Remediation
Acid mine drainage is often associated with historic abandoned mines, and in certain situations, impounded water is a significant risk to safety and the environment. Traditionally, vertical holes may be installed into a mine pool to pump down the water level prior to re-entering the mine for remediation, but the drill site development and pumping requirements can be cost prohibitive in remote or high-volume sites. Horizontal directional drilling provides a useful alternative. Through steered borehole and controlled wellheads, REI sets up below the water level and intentionally intercepts the abandoned mine to create a gravity drain system. By utilizing gravity drainage, REI can lower long-term operational costs for mine operations, as well as minimize the amount of piping and trenching that must be installed to the treatment area.
Download Case Studies
Groundwater Plume Remediation
Horizontal directional drilling provides an effective approach to monitor and control groundwater contamination plumes. Rather than installing an array of vertical boreholes and maintaining multiple pumps along the perimeter of the plume, horizontal wells can be drilled within the targeted strata layer in order to intercept a vertical production well. Water is collected along the horizontal lateral and directed to the vertical well. A similar approach can be used for air sparging and soil vapor extraction remediation.
Download Case Studies