Effects of hydraulic borehole mining on ground water at a test site in northeast St Johns County, Florida
Water-Resources Investigations Report
83-4149
By: P. S. Hampson
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Abstract
An experimental mining project was conducted in northeast St. Johns County, Florida, to determine the feasibility of extracting deeply buried phosphate ore by hydraulic borehole mining techniques. The phosphate zone is between 232 and 250 feet below land surface and consists of approximately equal proportions of fine-grained phosphate, sand, and clay. Six wells were constructed at the test site to monitor effects of the mining operation on the ground-water resources of the area. One well penetrated the Floridan aquifer beneath the phosphate zone, another was completed in the phosphate zone, and the other four were finished in water-bearing zones above the phosphate zone. The mining project consisted of three separate tests in which different mining methods were used. Changes in water levels, other than in the mined zone, were detected only in the overlying monitored zone during the first two tests as a result of roof failures in cavities formed by the mining operation. Water-quality changes were observed only in the mined zone and resulted from the injection of water from the deeper Floridan aquifer as part of the mining operation. (USGS)
Suggested Citation
Hampson, P.S., 1984, Effects of hydraulic borehole mining on ground water at a test site in northeast St Johns County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4149, iv, 29 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri834149.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Effects of hydraulic borehole mining on ground water at a test site in northeast St Johns County, Florida |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 83-4149 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri834149 |
| Year Published | 1984 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey, |
| Description | iv, 29 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm. |