MINEDW Documentation

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Overview

MINEDW is a specialized three-dimensional (3D) finite-element groundwater flow program designed exclusively for mining applications. Mining professionals worldwide rely on MINEDW to:

  • Design effective dewatering and depressurization systems

  • Predict and mitigate environmental impacts

  • Optimize water-supply system design

  • Simulate pit lake development

  • Calculate pore-pressure distributions for geotechnical analysis

The software combines an intuitive graphical interface with comprehensive pre- and post-processing capabilities, creating a powerful numerical modeling environment specifically tailored for mining hydrogeology challenges.

With over 30 years of field validation and successful deployment at more than 50 mines across diverse hydrogeologic and climatic conditions, MINEDW has proven its reliability. The software underwent rigorous validation by Sandia National Laboratories in 1998 and incorporates established FEMFLOW3D algorithms from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Key Features

MINEDW offers specialized capabilities for mining hydrogeology:

Mining Operations

  • Open-pit and underground mining simulation for dewatering design

  • Progressive excavation modeling with multiple intersecting pits

  • Slope-stability analysis support with pore-pressure distributions

Advanced Visualization

  • 3D graphic representations of geology, model domains, and pit geometry

  • Real-time visualization of groundwater heads and pore pressures

  • Comprehensive post-processing and analysis tools

Mining-Specific Features

  • Progressive open-pit excavations with multiple intersecting pits through element collapse

  • Zones of Relaxation modeling where rock hydraulic properties are altered by excavation

  • Backfill simulation with custom hydraulic properties different from in-situ material

  • Pit lake development and infilling simulation for post-mining closure planning

  • Accurate seepage face modeling for lateral flow prediction through open-pit highwalls

  • Advanced discretization using logarithmic grid spacing for precise radial flow calculations

Technical Advantages

MINEDW provides significant advantages over traditional finite-difference codes for mining applications:

  • Accurate Seepage Face Modeling: Unlike finite-difference codes (e.g., MODFLOW), MINEDW accurately models the seepage face—the surface of open-pit highwalls through which lateral flow occurs. This critical feature affects both lateral inflow amounts and water table heights.

  • Optimized Discretization: The finite-element approach handles complex geometries and uses logarithmic grid spacing to accurately predict radial flow patterns toward excavations, ensuring reliable inflow predictions and pore-pressure distributions.

  • Mining-Focused Design: Built specifically for mining scenarios with specialized algorithms for progressive excavations, altered rock zones, and complex boundary conditions common in mining operations.