Hydrogeology of The Prospect Copper Mine in Sumbawa Island, Indonesia

Author: Alan Puhalovich1, Toddy Samuel2

A hydrogeological assessment was undertaken to characterize a local groundwater system, provide

estimates of likely pit inflows and pit wall (groundwater) pressures and define likely pit dewatering /
depressurization requirements.

The site is a copper-gold porphyry deposit that occurs within a north-east to north-north-east trending
corridor of epithermal intrusives. The deposit is defined by several intrusion that lie along NE-NNE
alignment. The surrounding host rocks are of volcanic origin and which have a massive, rather than
bedded, structure. Both the intrusives and host rocks are of a fine-grained nature.

Packer testing was undertaken in six geotechnical boreholes to determine permeability value specific
within the pit boundary. The results of this testing indicate hydraulic conductivities across the various
geological domains and at depths of more than 40-50 m were relatively consistent and generally low,
ranging from 8 x 10-10 to 5 x 10-8 m/s. Airlift testing from open hydrogeological boreholes indicate much
higher (orders-of-magnitude higher) hydraulic conductivities in the shallower (less than 40-50 m depth)
hydrogeological units. These units and local faults are preferential pathways or flows into the pit during
mining.

The local conceptual hydrogeological model comprises a shallow “active” groundwater system (Unit 1)
that experiences high rates of rainfall recharge and is directly connected, and feeds, local river systems.
Unit 1 is underlain by a deeper, less permeable and active groundwater system (Unit 2). Both Units 1 and
2 comprise the same intrusive and volcanic host rock (lithological) units but are differentiated by the
degree of alteration and fracturing, which are significantly higher in Unit 1. The results of hydrogeological
borehole investigations, and observations of a flow (artesian) borehole in the pit footprint area, suggest
that deep, highly permeable faults are present and will likely provide pathways for groundwater inflows
to the pit once open pit mining progresses.

The results of baseflow analyses and groundwater (numerical) model development and model calibrations
indicate that groundwater recharge rates are high, and that the local groundwater system is highly
connected to local rivers. Long term constant rate tests results at 5 additional boreholes near pit
boundaries adjacent to river streamline expresses the same conclusion and that groundwater system and
local river connectivity will have major contribution to pit inflow.

The study highlights hydrogeological conditions of the proposed copper-gold mine specifically the
groundwater system within pit boundary and its connectivity to local river and how it will influence pit
inflow.
1
Golder Associates Pty Ltd, Perth, Australia
2
Geotechnical & Environmental Services Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia