Response of groundwater level in observational boreholes of Sarcheshmeh copper mine to rainfall

Sarcheshmeh copper mine is one of the largest porphyry copper deposits in the world, which is located in a mountainous region in south-eastern Iran. The considerable amount of mean annual precipitation together with fractured rocks, which facilitate the groundwater recharge, make a lot of problems for mining operation due to groundwater entrance to the pit. Determination of the relationship between rainfall occurrence and groundwater level response is a key factor for constructing an appropriate dewatering plan for the pit. In this study the fluctuations of groundwater level at three observational boreholes and rainfall records of the Sarcheshmeh meteorological station are analyzed by employing time series techniques both in time and frequency domains. The results show a relatively quick response of groundwater level to rainfall in two boreholes while the groundwater level in the third borehole show longer lag time with rainfall due to different length of flow path and structural properties.

Keywords:

Time Series , Groundwater response , rainfall , Sarcheshmeh copper mine