Factors Impacting Project Delivery Success

SMEC applied an integrated approach, combining data from legacy geological investigations, advanced satellite imagery, and active seismic and gravity surveys to model the extensive groundwater system. The exploration spanned over 50 kilometres of pipeline and bore field areas, with depths reaching up to 800 metres. These investigations were vital to identifying aquifer zones, optimising bore field design, and ensuring a reliable supply for the mine’s operational needs.

Our work included innovative drilling campaigns that confirmed saturated thicknesses between 250 and 400 metres, significantly improving groundwater flow understanding. Long-term monitoring networks, distributed across strategic zones, further validated flow gradients and directional patterns, contributing to a robust conceptual model of the region’s aquifers.

A key breakthrough was achieved through our collaboration with Fleet Space Technologies, utilising the innovative Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) technique. This advanced approach allowed SMEC to create real-time 3D maps of the subsurface, identifying potential groundwater sources with high levels of precision. The data collected from these investigations was transformed into a refined groundwater model that evaluates the availability, accessibility, and endurance of water reservoirs. This model is critical in ensuring that water sources meet the mine’s operational needs while addressing long-term viability and potential stakeholder conflicts.

Solutions for Long-Term Needs

The remote location of the mine and harsh desert environment presented significant challenges, however SMEC leverages its expertise to develop cutting-edge solutions, successfully transforming the initial probabilistic model into a highly accurate and actionable plan.

Through a proactive approach, SMEC’s local presence in Pakistan has been instrumental in expediating the project timeline by six months, ensuring the efficient completion of water investigations.

Our key efforts include optimising the bore field layout to conserve energy, minimising operational costs, and ensuring long-term water management efficiency. Water conservation efforts were further strengthened by implementing a pipeline leak detection system, raising pipelines to mitigate flood risks, and incorporating redundancy measures to ensure system reliability under changing climatic conditions.

Targeted for completion by 2028, the Reko Diq project is set to unlock one of the world’s largest copper-gold deposits, potentially contributing significantly to the region’s development.