Role of physicochemical and migration processes at Gumeshevsky copper mine in groundwater self-purification

The paper considers individual physico-chemical and migration processes occurring at the copper mining site of the Gumeshevsky deposit. The fact is that currently copper mining at this deposit is carried out by underground leaching, and therefore, based on the technological process, the main and direct anthropogenic load is on groundwater and surface waters. However, it is known that any geosystem has a certain ecological capacity. In this case, by ecological capacity, we mean the ability of a geosystem to self-clean after intense anthropogenic impact. The paper considers the ability to self-purify the water-rock system at the Gumeshevsky deposit in the process of exposure to this system of technological solutions used for the extraction of a useful component. The main role in the process of self-purification here is played by physico-chemical processes, as a result of which secondary minerals are formed. A theoretical analysis of the physico-chemical processes occurring during the dissolution of salts is carried out. The initial data for describing these processes at the Gumeshevsky field were obtained during their own field and laboratory studies during complex surveys. The paper considers the migration model of the spread of pollution in groundwater as a result of the use of technological solutions during underground leaching. This model is predictive and at this stage confirms the non-proliferation of pollution in groundwater due to its high dilution by the natural flow of groundwater.

Konovalov V. E., Pochechun V. A., Semyachkov A. I., Kurbanov I. K. Role of physicochemical and migration processes at Gumeshevsky copper mine in groundwater self-purification. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(1-1):69-80. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/ 0236_1493_2025_11_0_69.

V.E. Konovalov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: vek-1951@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0005-3217-7681,
V.A. Pochechun², Dr. Sci. (Geogr.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: viktoriyapochechun@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2838-1162,
A.I. Semyachkov², Dr. Sci. (Geol. Mineral.), Professor, e-mail: a.semyachkov@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3352-2863,
I.K. Kurbanov¹, Student, e-mail: samolet.111@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0009-0008-4261-4242,
¹ Ural State Mining University, 620144, Ekaterinburg, Russia,
² Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 620014, Ekaterinburg, Russia.

V.A. Pochechun, e-mail: viktoriyapochechun@mail.ru.

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