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Dewatering

Control groundwater. Support mine operations.

Dewatering drilling helps manage groundwater and water pressure through vertical wells, horizontal drains, casing, pump installation and related water-control work. We plan the drilling and completion approach around groundwater conditions, mine geometry and operating requirements.

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Our Approach

Groundwater control around active mine conditions

We align well and drain locations, drilling, completion and pumping with groundwater conditions, pit geometry and the mine operating plan.

Groundwater Control

Wells and drains help manage water inflow and pressure where groundwater affects mine access, stability or production.

Planned for the Mine

Groundwater conditions, pit geometry and operating requirements guide the drilling and completion approach.

What We Bring

Dewatering capabilities

Our dewatering capabilities combine vertical wells, horizontal drains, casing, well completion and pump installation to support groundwater control around the mine.

Vertical and Angled Dewatering Wells

We drill and complete wells designed to pump groundwater from the mine environment.

Horizontal Drains and Horizontal wells

Horizontal self-draining holes can provide an outlet for groundwater and help reduce water pressure behind pit walls.

Casing and Completion

We plan casing and well completion around ground conditions and the intended water-control system.

Pump Installation

Pump installation can be coordinated with drilling and completion where active pumping is required.

Our Expertise

Controlling groundwater around the mine

Dewatering systems are planned around groundwater conditions, pit geometry and the operating requirements of the mine. Vertical wells and horizontal drains help control groundwater inflow and water pressure so mine areas can remain stable and workable.

Diagram showing vertical dewatering wells, horizontal drains and groundwater around an open pit mine
Dewatering well equipment at an open pit mine

Our Technical Expertise

Dewatering planned around the ground and the mine

We consider groundwater conditions, the pit or high wall, mine access and operating requirements when planning wells and drains. Drilling, casing, drainage and pumping are coordinated around the water-control objective.

High-Wall Depressurization

Horizontal drilling can create self-draining holes into water-bearing zones behind a high wall to help relieve water pressure.

Drilling and Completion

Well geometry, drilling method, casing, drainage and pump requirements are planned together around the groundwater and mine operating conditions.

Our Experience

Dewatering expertise

Our teams combine drilling and completion options to address groundwater inflow and water pressure around active mine conditions.

Vertical and Horizontal Options

Different drilling geometries for different groundwater conditions and mine layouts.

Well Completion

Drilling, casing and pumping considered as one water-control system.

High-Wall Applications

Horizontal drains for groundwater movement and pressure relief behind pit walls.

Active-Mine Planning

Dewatering work coordinated with mine access and operations.

Project Highlights

Water-well drilling in the field

See how DTFR drilling supported large-diameter mine water wells in Western Australia.

DTFR Water-Well Drilling Reaches Target Depth With Less Than 1% Deviation

Boart Longyear used dual-tube flooded reverse circulation drilling in the Pilbara to complete large-diameter mine water wells while controlling circulation, discharge water and hole deviation.
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Our Capabilities

Related Capabilities

Explore related drilling and water-management capabilities that may support your program.Explore related drilling capabilities that may support your program.

Water Production Drilling

Build water wells for supply, injection and recharge, with geometry and completion matched to the formation and intended use.

Pump Services

Keep water and dewatering systems operating through pump installation, maintenance, removal, rehabilitation and replacement.

Sonic Drilling

Recover relatively undisturbed samples through difficult ground using controlled resonant energy and casing control.

Rotary Drilling

Drill large-diameter and specialized boreholes with methods selected around the formation, hole size and intended use.

Service Resources

Explore our water-drilling capabilities

Review our water-drilling brochure for information relevant to dewatering and water-production projects.

Dewatering and Water Management Field Guide

A guide to dewatering, water production drilling, pump services, and field water management where water conditions affect operations.
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Dewatering: Planning for Water-Affected Operations

Guidance on dewatering where water conditions affect access, safety, mine planning, or operational continuity.
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Pump Services for Dewatering and Water Management

Practical pump service planning for dewatering, water access, operational continuity, and field response.
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From Groundwater to Control

Plan the water-control system

Tell us the groundwater conditions, mine geometry, well or drain requirements and pumping objective. We can help plan the drilling and completion approach.

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