The Tui Mine, situated in the rugged Kaimai Ranges, North Island, New Zealand, was mined for base-metals between 1884 and 1973.
Geophysical Research at the Tui Mine
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) methods have been used to delineate contaminated groundwater in the vicinity of the tailings pile at the abandoned Tui Mine , Te Aroha, New Zealand. Anomalously high signal attenuation, or 'shadow zones', have been clearly observed in GPR profiles at a number of locations downstream of the mine tailings dam. These shadow zones are interpreted as defining a subsurface channel in which high electrical conductivity acid leachate is percolating. Frequency domain EM measurements across and below the tailings pile also define an anomalous zone of high conductivity, reaching a maximum of 95mS/m in the SE section of the
tailings pile, well above background levels of between 15-20mS/m.
Download full-abstract (4 pages with figures) or email matt@scantec.co.nz for a copy.
Watson, M.I., Locke, C.A., Cassidy, J., 2001. Imaging of mine tailings leachate using ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic methods at Tui Mine, New Zealand, EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOSCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS, 63rd Conference and Technical Exhibition, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 11 15 June 2001