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WATER SERVICES

GCS has 20 years experience in southern African hydrogeology and have been involved in numerous hydrogeological and surface water studies. GCS's client base ranges from individuals and municipalities to industry, mines and local government.

Groundwater Resources Development

Groundwater Consulting Services has considerable experience in the development of groundwater resources in southern Africa and offer the following professional services:

  • Interpretation of remote sensing images
  • Database development
  • Geophysical investigations (surface; down-hole)
  • Contract management
  • Field supervision
  • Resource evaluation
  • Well field design optimisation
  • Well field management and monitoring
 

Mineral-related Water Studies

With recent changes in legislation and corporate awareness, environmental management is becoming increasingly important, especially in the mining industry. GCS have undertaken water-related investigations for gold, coal, chrome, platinum, copper, nickel and diamond mines, related to environmental management. Our water-related services to the mining industry include:

  • Hydrogeology: Identification of the zone of impact on groundwater in terms of quality and volumes; undertaking a regional hydrocensus; aquifer classification; estimating the risk of long-term contamination and the associated impact on human safety and the environment; identifying and quantifying decant; developing and implementing groundwater remedial options.
  • Surface Water: Runoff calculations; calculation of floodlines; optimisation of pollution control structures; developing mine water balances.
  • Acid Base Accounting: Determining the potential for acid mine drainage; estimating the long-term impact of acid mine drainage on surface and groundwater quality; calculating salt loads on streams; overburden analysis; quantifying decant water qualities; determining the chemical character of acid mine drainage (element enrichment); geochemical modelling; treatment inhibition and mine design.
 


Mathematical / Numerical Modelling

Numerical or mathematical modelling is a tool used for predictive purposes in hydrogeology. GCS have staff who are experienced in applying both two- and three-dimensional models to complex hydrogeological situations. GCS have used models to obtain solutions to the following situations:

  • Predicting the most likely pathway of contaminants originating from industrial, waste or mining sites.
  • Estimating the risk of contamination at strategic positions within a catchment from known sources of contamination
  • Determining the extent to which abstraction of groundwater will affect regional groundwater availability.
  • Determining the long term or residual impact of anthropogenic activities on groundwater availability within catchments
    Stochastic modelling and risk assessment.

Projects for which GCS have undertaken modelling as part of decision making processes include mining, waste disposal, well field optimisation and management, design and optimisation of groundwater remediation structures and litigation arising from disputes.

  

Waste Disposal Investigations

GCS have considerable experience and specialised expertise related to hydrogeological investigations at waste disposal sites. GCS were involved during the initial formulation of the DWAF's "Minimum Requirements" document as well as co-developed the WASP Methodology for the Water Research Commission. The work GCS are capable of includes:
  • Site identification, which takes into account the geology, soils, hydrogeology, geotechnical aspects, surface water, environmental, social and economic suitability for potential sites
  • Suitability assessments, undertaken as detailed field investigations, which include test pitting, geological and soil mapping, permeability testing, geophysics, drilling of monitoring boreholes and compilation of reports addressing the Minimum Requirements for sites.
 

Additional Expertise

GCS also have experience in the following fields of hydrogeology:
  • Mineral water development
  • Dredge mining operations
  • Primary aquifer development
  • Groundwater remediation and protection

Additional information regarding these fields is available on request.

  
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