TRANSFORMING CONTAMINATED MINE WATER FROM LIABILITY TO ASSET

Mining industry waste is the largest waste stream generated by industries around the world, and of this waste stream, tailings is the most prevalent. Finding ways to effectively treat tailings can help generate a higher yield, reclaiming overlooked trace minerals and turning contaminated water into a profitable asset for mine operators.

Tailings refers to the waste materials left over after the intended mineral is extracted from ore, and can consist of water, crushed rock and, often, trace quantities of metals including mercury, zinc, cadmium and copper.

Tailings are usually deposited in engineered tailings storage facilities (TSFs) onsite, with mining organisations required to follow stringent regulations relating to how this material is stored.

The recent Brumadinho tragedy – where Tailings Dam 1 at Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine in Brazil collapsed and 270 people lost their lives – has uncovered the flaws in this type of tailings management and the potentially catastrophic effects that such storage failures can have on communities and the environment.

This has led the industry to place an emphasis on finding sustainable, long-term solutions to better manage mine tailings.

From waste to resource

One of the main drivers for improved tailings management and treatment is the demand for sustainable, long-term practices and circular economy approaches to be adopted throughout the mining industry. Circular economy approaches to tailings treatment could see the reclamation of large amounts of water, as well as the trace mineral elements that often remain following ore extraction.

The treatment of mine water could unlock a large amount of usable water that can then be reused onsite, including in suppressing dust on haul roads and washing vehicles.

Current practice for the treatment of contaminated mine water includes reverse osmosis filtration and mist evaporation, however, due to the difficulty of use, constant maintenance and high cost associated with these mine methods, widespread industry adoption has not transpired.

As such, the mining industry is seeking water treatment solutions that are costeffective, sustainable and easy-to-use.

Catalyst365

Mine Water Solutions has developed the most advanced mine water treatment solutions to reshape the mining water industry, with its Catalyst365 delivering the most effective, convenient, economical solution to clients.

Catalyst365 is proudly Australian developed, owned and delivered, and is patented with worldwide protection.

Unlike other systems which mechanically treat contaminated water once it has been pumped, Catalyst365 treats the acid mine water as it is being pumped from the tailings dam. The solution works by mixing the correct ratio of Catalyst365 with the water to neutralise it as it travels through the pumping process.

The Catalyst365 solution disrupts the hydrogen bond in certain molecules creating a reversal of the polarity, causing coagulation and thus precipitation. The solution enables mine water to be converted into a usable resource to assist operations to lower costs and provide a sustainable supply of water.

By also minimising harmful corrosion, the solution also increases pump longevity and has the capability to treat unlimited volumes of water faster than any other method. The Catalyst365 method is the safest, most superior way to treat acid mine water.

Conscious that the water at each mine will have a different composition, Mine Water Solutions’ treatment is customisable, offering bespoke solutions for each application. Each site is treated with a strict confidentially approach and recovered minerals remain the property of the mine owner.

To find out more about Catalyst365, visit the Mine Water Solutions’ website at https://minewatersolutions.com.au