Assessing water supply in subarctic temperatures

Gil Mine - Expansion and Groundwater Interception System Evaluation

Prior to a planned expansion, the Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc. needed to benchmark the functionality of its groundwater interception system at Gil Mine in Alaska. They recruited our team to conduct pre-feasibility studies and evaluate the baseline characteristics of surface and groundwater resources. Our goal was to determine where additional monitoring stations needed to be installed. The challenge? Subzero temperatures and a remote northern location threatened site safety and demanded careful planning. 

The project required a total of 8 groundwater monitoring wells, 3 thermistor strings, and 13 surface water monitoring stations. The groundwater monitoring wells would evaluate flow directions, depth, formation permeability, and geochemistry. The thermistor strings would help determine depths to permafrost, and the surface water monitoring stations allowed the characterization of baseline chemistry, temperature, and flow rate data.

We conducted several airlift and recovery tests to collect data that will be instrumental in the future for the interceptor well system. The outcome? The Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc. was able to complete work safely and expand their facility with sufficient water resources.