Impact of fault fracture development and distribution regularity on groundwater flow and solute transport in rock mass as exemplified at 3720 m of the first mining region of Pulang Copper Mine, SW China

Statistical analysis of development and distribution of fault fissures at 3720 m in the first mining region of Pulang Copper Mine, SW China was performed. Strongly heterogeneous hydro-geological numerical models influenced by fault fissures were set up. Effects of developmental distribution cracks on solute transport in 65° and 307°directions were simulated. Rock mass with strong permeability water-conducting fissure was found favorable for solute transport, water-blocking fault was found to inhibit solute transport. The direction of fracture development was found consistent with direction of groundwater flow, which would be beneficial for solute transport along water-flow direction. When direction of fracture development intersects with that of groundwater flow and the strong lens affected by fracture changes direction of groundwater flow, direction of solute transport is changed.