Geothermal Energy Potential of Active Northern Underground Mines: Designing a System Relying on Mine Water

• Published in: Mine water and the environment Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 1055 - 1081
• Main Authors: Alvarado, Edgardo Jose, Raymond, Jasmin, Therrien, René, Comeau, Félix-Antoine, Carreau, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Dewatering; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Ecotoxicology; Electricity; Electricity consumption; Emissions; Energy balance; Energy requirements; Energy resources; Fossil fuels; Gases; Geology; Geothermal energy; Geothermal power; Geothermal resources; Greenhouse gases; Heat; Heat exchangers; Heat pumps; Heating; Hydrogeology; Industrial Pollution Prevention; Infrastructure; Mathematical models; Mine drainage; Mine waters; Mineral Resources; Mines; Mining; Mining industry; Numerical models; Payback periods; Physical properties; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Process water; Production costs; Technical Article; Underground mines; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Weather; Canada; Mining; Canada; Heat pump; Renewable energy; Dewatering; Sustainable
• ISSN: 1025-9112; 1616-1068
• DOI: 10.1007/s10230-022-00900-8

Mines in northern regions must heat underground workings, surface buildings, or process water due to frigid weather conditions. Mining companies commonly use fossil fuels for heating, which creates environmental challenges. An eco-conscious alternative, based on local resources and low electricity consumption, is the use of geothermal energy from the mine dewatering system. The Éléonore mine, an active underground mine located in a remote area in northern Québec (Canada), was selected as a case study. The geothermal resource was characterized to design a geothermal heat pump system (GHPS) adapted to mining operations. The energy balance was calculated to establish the heating energy requirements of the mine. Subsequently, the physicochemical properties of the water from different sampling points along the dewatering system were analyzed. Finally, a preliminary GHPS was designed to assess the amount of geothermal energy that can be extracted from the dewatering system of the mine. Under current conditions, a GHPS installed at the exit of the dewatering system could provide 39% of the 26.6 GWh/yr needed to heat the underground workings, reducing heating costs by 33% and greenhouse gas emissions by 1993 t/yr. A hydrogeological numerical model developed for the mine further suggests that a GHPS is sustainable throughout the life of the mine. Thus, this research indicates that, with adequate assessment, GHPSs have the potential to heat active mining operations and contribute to their energy needs in an environmental, affordable, and constant manner.