Drilling monitoring wells into abandoned mine workings
Igne is working with Dunelm and installing a monitoring well to prevent catastrophic contamination from an abandoned coal mine.
Igne is once again working with friends at Dunelm Geotechnical & Environmental Ltd.
We previously worked with Dunelm for Durham County Council and drilled into abandoned mine workings to harness geothermal energy.
This time we’re on site together in Knowsley, Merseyside, and are once again drilling into abandoned mine workings – but for an altogether different purpose.
Installing a monitoring well to prevent catastrophic contamination from an abandoned coal mine
We are working with Dunelm at the former Cronton Colliery to install a monitoring well.
Cronton Colliery opened in 1916 and employed over 900 people at its peak, annually producing more than 350,000 tonnes of coal before closing in 1984.
We are installing a well for monitoring the water levels and the water quality in the Higher Florida coal seam at the mine.
The environmental risks and opportunities posed by former mines
Abandoned mines present a truly complex dichotomy; as well offering an unrivalled source of sustainable geothermal energy, being part of our national heritage and an important reserve of biodiversity, they are also one of the most significant pollution threats in Britain.
As the Cronton mine was abandoned many years ago, it has filled with ground water that is now very highly contaminated from all the historic mining activities. As the water rises it has the potential to contaminate aquifers higher in the strata sequence.
This could have devastating consequences – which is why a monitoring borehole will now allow the Environment Agency (EA) to keep an exceptionally close eye on the situation.
Using monitoring wells like this one, the EA monitors and can intercept water that is still rising in closed mines before it causes pollution or gets into our drinking water supplies.
Combining our Igne’s drilling expertise with Dunelm’s geotechnical proficiency to protect the environment
With our extensive experience of drilling into the extremely complex challenges that abandoned mines present, combined with Dunelm’s focus on geotechnical and environmental services, we’re able to support the Environment Agency and its partners to protect natural water sources.
Other articles of interest
Why we use biodegradable hydraulic oil
Why do we use biodegradable hydraulic oil when drilling water boreholes? Because it’s green, clean, non-carcinogenic and better for the planet.
Water abstraction licence
Since April 2005, abstractions of less than 20m3/day do not require licensing by the Environment Agency. If the abstraction is greater than 20m3/day a water abstraction licence will be required, and this is something we can manage for you as it can be a protracted affair to apply, and its complexity is often daunting.