An Update on the Hydrogeology of Clayton Valley, Nevada

Danny Zampirro

ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to update and expand upon a previously published paper on the hydrogeology of the Clayton Valley lithium mining operation in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Water Rights are a critical and necessary component of the mine in order to pump lithium-rich brine from the subsurface into solar evaporation ponds. Brine is passed through the pond system as grade increases before processing strong brine into lithium carbonate. The primary ash aquifer (Main Ash Aquifer) of the Clayton Valley has been the principal source for lithium-bearing brine since 1966. Its history is now better understood with geochemical correlation performed on a sample taken from a well during construction in order to determine if it is from the same eruptive event as the Long Valley Caldera/Bishop Tuff in Mono County, California.

Keywords: Clayton Valley, lithium, hydrogeology, Main Ash Aquifer, tephra age.
Citation: Zampirro, D., 2018, An Update on the Hydrogeology of Clayton Valley, Nevada. Journal of the Nevada Water Resources Association, Summer 2018 p. 5-8.
DOI: 10.22542/2018/2/1. Copyright 2018 Nevada Water Resources Association.

Excess Mine Water Management through Rapid Infiltration Basins

Guosheng Zhan, George G. Fennemore

ABSTRACT
Barrick Nevada operates the Goldstrike and Cortez mines near Elko, Nevada, in the most prolific gold mining district in the western hemisphere. Because the majority of the ore bodies at Goldstrike and Cortez are located below the water table, mining requires significant dewatering, which results in excess water. The water is returned underground using two main methods: By injection well and by Rapid Infiltration Basin (RIB). This paper describes these two methods in detail and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. Due to ease of construction, operation and maintenance, and due to the effectiveness of RIB application, the authors recommend it as the preferred method of managing excess mine water. The paper also illustrates the conceptual flow model of a RIB and provides procedures and methods to locate RIB sites, conduct field investigations, project hydrologic effects of RIB operation and implement monitoring programs.

Keywords: Excess mine water, Rapid Infiltration Basin, Groundwater mounding, Radius of influence
Citation: Zhan, G., and G. Fennemore, 2018, Excess Mine Water Management through Rapid Infiltration Basins. Journal of the Nevada Water Resources Association, Summer 2018 p. 9-23.
DOI: 10.22542/2018/2/2. Copyright 2018 Nevada Water Resources Association.