What is water and wastewater management in mining?

Water and wastewater management in mining involves controlling water usage, treatment, and discharge to minimise environmental impact and maintain operational efficiency. This process includes dewatering, wastewater recycling, and treatment of contaminants from mine effluents to meet regulatory standards.

How do dewatering systems work in mining?

Dewatering systems remove excess groundwater and surface water from mine sites, preventing flooding and maintaining dry conditions for safe and efficient operations. These systems use pumps, pipelines, and storage tanks to collect and manage water.

What wastewater treatment technologies are used in mining?

Mining wastewater treatment technologies include reverse osmosis, ion-exchange systems, and membrane filters, which remove contaminants like metals and acid drainage. Advanced methods, such as catalytic filtration and wastewater evaporators, are also used to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD).

How does water recycling improve sustainability in mining?

Water recycling reduces freshwater consumption by reusing treated wastewater in mining operations. This reduces the environmental footprint, lowers costs, and helps companies comply with water usage regulations.

What are the challenges of acid mine drainage?

Acid mine drainage occurs when sulphide minerals in rocks react with water and air, producing sulphuric acid that leaches heavy metals into nearby water sources. Managing this involves preventing acid generation and treating contaminated water to mitigate environmental harm.

Water and Wastewater Management

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Mining Wastewater Treatment: Water Management for the Mining Industry

The water crisis threatens the energy transition – CDP

Lead, mercury, and the poisonous legacy of mines in Africa

Soaking up, breaking down: what sponges and microbes make of mine waste

Australia’s Idemitsu coal mine escapes prosecution despite water permit breach

South32 to pay $2.9m for diverting drinking water to coal mine without licence for five years

Rio Tinto plans $395m investment in desalination plant

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