As many mining operations use water on a large scale, in various processes, this produces wastewater that is highly concentrated in pollutants due to the contact between various minerals and the water. Mining pollutants can be caused by:
- Water leaching, concentration and flotation
- Wash water
- Contaminants from gas scrubbers and refining
- Flow process acids
Additionally, rain that penetrates mine tailings can cause hydrolysis, oxidation and washing, which produces wastewater that is highly contaminated. If this wastewater is discharged into the environment without being treated, it may contaminate the environment that surrounds the mines. With the harsh impact of wastewater pollution on the mining and ecology sectors, many governments have introduced guidelines for the use and recycling of their wastewater in the form of Mining Wastewater Treatment Solutions.
To meet the terms and conditions that the government has implemented to ensure that only the highest quality of water is discharged from mining sites, many mining firms have enforced the use of mining wastewater treatment methods on their various sites.
Usually, biological or physico-chemical methods are used to treat these pollutants. However, the zero discharge technique has proven to be the best way to treat these effluents. This is because it protects the ecosystem but also provides water that can be reused, especially in areas where access to water is limited. Additionally, this method is economical in the long-term once installation costs have been recovered.
Modern day technologies such as crystallization and vacuum evaporation assure there’ll be zero liquid discharged. These water treatment plants ensure that at least 95% of wastewater can be distilled and reused. The solids that are separated from the wastewater can also be recovered and taken to waste management.
In Canada, the federal government will be issuing 4.5 million Canadian dollars to E2Metrix Inc. The company will assist mining operations to recycle wastewater.
E2Metrix Inc. will be using their first-of-a-kind Ecothor technology to clean the wastewater then separate it from the contaminants which include heavy metals and ammonia. Their technique is an energy efficient, affordable and effective way to recycle and reuse wastewater that comes from various mining processes. The process will also help mining companies reduce their water usage and decrease their mining operations’ effect on water bodies.
This federal government-sponsored program has invested in research with regard to clean technology as well as various development plans for Canada’s mining, forest and energy sectors. The program, a 155-million-dollar investment, strives towards helping innovators and the natural resource sectors join forces to help speed up the development of clean technologies. This will help decrease the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the emissions that pollute the air while also bettering waste management practices and reducing environment disturbances. Analysts are of the view that mining industry companies like Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) are glad to see governments working with the private sector to develop lasting solutions to the problems that face the industry.
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