Mining and Hydrogeology Section
Introduction
The Mining and Hydrogeology Section is located at the Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de Almadén, and its main objective is to integrate studies carried out in the fields of mining and groundwater resource research.
The growing demand for mineral resources by modern society, together with environmental constraints on their exploitation, has led research groups to implement innovative techniques in the extraction of these resources. The development of equipment and construction technologies that are environmentally sustainable, along with the economic optimization of their use, constitute two key lines of work and research within this section.
Geotechnical problems arising from increasingly complex ground engineering activities represent a challenge in terms of both technical and economic solutions. In this regard, the Section has the capability to carry out in-depth studies that provide solutions for the development of new works and the upgrading of existing ones.
Major changes in the scientific and technical fields, as well as in the socio-political structure of our country in recent years, have had a significant impact on the use of groundwater resources during this period. Groundwater exploitation, carried out and funded mainly by users themselves, has often taken place with insufficient anticipation by public authorities. This, combined with the understandable lack of hydrogeological training among these users (individuals, agriculture, industry, etc.), has led in some areas to various problems whose solutions fall within our scope of activity.
Location
The Section is based in the laboratories of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering (Mining Engineering Area) at the Escuela Universitaria Politécnica de Almadén.
Team
This Section is composed of a multidisciplinary team that, as previously indicated, has been working over recent years in all the areas described. The team includes researchers from the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering of UCLM, as well as from other related departments due to their expertise or affiliated personnel. The team established for this Section is detailed below:
Research Lines
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Design of open-pit mining operations.
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Design of underground mining operations.
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Civil engineering projects: open-pit works and tunnels.
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Geotechnics and void control.
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Soil mechanics. Foundations.
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Topography and cartography.
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Hydrogeology. Exploration and investigation.
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Restoration and rehabilitation plans for mining voids.
Equipment:
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Process and equipment software.
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Rock and soil mechanics software.
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Ventilation and hydraulic simulators.
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Vibration analysis and monitoring equipment.
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Mine gas analyzers.
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Mineral processing equipment. Mineralurgy.
Technological Offer:
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Monitoring and control of mining processes.
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Supervision and control of civil engineering works.
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Stability analysis in open-pit and underground operations.
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Foundation design in civil engineering and building construction.
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Development of sustainable development models.
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Health and Safety: Plans for Mining and Public Works.
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Environmental impact studies.
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Environmental risk analysis related to mining.