Uncertainty in modeling fractured rock groundwater systems

Numerical modeling of a groundwater system for supporting mine development and design decisions was conducted in a complex geologic environment with groundwater flow dominantly controlled by regional geological faults. Model parameterization and predictions were based on advanced multi-point geostatistical simulations of alternative fault network geometries guided by borehole observations and training images. Decisions regarding the options for future mine design could be based on a statistical evaluation of the range of plausible outcomes provided by an ensemble of model predictions from the geostatistical realizations.