The Impacts of Groundwater Level on Coordinated Mining of Uranium and Coal and Its Avoidance Scheme

This study investigated a typical mining area with overlapping uranium and coal resources within the northern Ordos Basin. Based on the hydrogeologic conditions and spatial overlapping relationship of uranium and coal resources, we analyzed critical constraints on coordinated mining of uranium and coal. Using the Groundwater Modeling System, we established a numerical model of the groundwater flow field for coordinated mining of uranium and coal. Accordingly, we characterized the impacts of coal mining on the groundwater level in the uranium area, followed by quantitative prediction of the relationship between the coal mining avoidance distance and the groundwater level in the uranium mining area. Regarding the impacts on the groundwater level, this study proposed priority zones and their time sequence for coal mining. Additionally, based on the time when coal mining avoidance scenarios would influence the groundwater level in the uranium mining area, this study proposed priority zones and their time sequence for uranium mining. By developing an avoidance scheme for coordinated mining of uranium and coal from temporal and spatial aspects, this study provides a theoretical basis for the scientific, coordinated mining of uranium and coal resources.