The development of GIS-PMWIN and its application for mine-water modelling in the Far West Rand, South Africa

Abstract

A toolbar GIS-PMWIN was developed in ArcGIS 9.3 using the embedded Visual Basic for Application. The purpose was to create a linkage between ArcGIS and PMWIN for groundwater modelling with GIS data in PMWIN. Six function modules are developed, including: (i) set model dimension, (ii) modify the current model, (iii) export the grid specification file, (iv) prepare and export the boundary condition files, (v) set top and bottom elevation of layers, and (vi) prepare and export matrix data. Based on the conceptualisation of the study area, the model dimension, discretisation and many value setting processes can be easily carried out in ArcGIS rather than directly in PMWIN, through these function modules. The grid specification file and other input files can be exported as the PMWIN-compatible files which can be directly loaded to PMWIN for modelling. The linkage can be used with a higher version of PMWIN or ArcGIS. It has been applied to mine water modelling in the Far West Rand of the Witwatersrand basin to simulate dewatering and re-watering conditions and scenarios. The modelling practice is elaborated in detail as a case study, and it is demonstrated that the linkage is efficient and easy to use.

Keywords: ArcGIS, PMWIN, groundwater modelling, dewatering, re-watering