Groundwater flooding in a Moldovan limestone mine : An investigation into the limestone aquifer in Chisinau andsustainable solutions to mine dewatering

Abstract: This work aimed to investigate the groundwater situation in and around Mina din Chisinau, an underground limestone mine in Chisinau, Moldova, in order to contribute to a sustainable solution to its flooding problem. Work on-site was done including visits inside the mine, to points of hydrogeological relevance to the mine, well inventories/search, and an attempt at an infiltration test. An on-site literature study was done using printed materials as well. Water quality in the mine and locally was examined. A GIS interpolation of groundwater levels was done and groundwater flow was visualized. Groundwater flow locally is thought to be in the west-southwest direction. Water quality is good but high in minerals, making it suitable for blending with surface water. A proposed project to pump groundwater from outside the mine to the municipal drinking water system seems to be a suitable solution, however groundwater modelling, ideally based on pumping tests, should be done to inform the system dimensions and design.