Mining

Desalination is an increasingly key solution for scarcity of water, guaranteeing water supply even in periods or areas of drought. Combined with local presence and a worldwide network of experts, we ensure our clients the best possible solutions to supply high-quality water, manage brine concentrates, produce or recover energy, extract raw materials, and capitalize on by-products.

Our process water solutions are designed to meet the customer’s needs, producing high-quality process water from a range of feed water sources and significantly reducing water consumption. 

We are experienced in helping clients reduce their financial exposure and comply with discharge requirements and stringent environmental regulations regarding wastewater management. We understand the unique requirements of mining operations and our worldwide expertise in mine water issues allows us to offer specialized water treatment solutions that treat water and efficiently remove a wide range of contaminants such as heavy metals and minerals, arsenic, suspended solids, organics, iron, manganese, and specific ions that can impact the local environment.

Our adaptable water treatment plants can meet the diverse water quality needs of mining sites throughout Australia and New Zealand. Veolia provides water treatment technologies that address both immediate and long-term requirements, ensuring that operations in even the most remote areas run smoothly.

Pre-Water Treatment Systems: For process water in mining facilities, including groundwater, surface water, greywater, and seawater desalination.

• Technologies: Actiflo®, Hydrex™ chemicals, Hydrotech™ Discfilters, Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO)
• Projects: Angas Zinc Mine, SA; Ballarat Goldfields, VIC; Bendigo Mining, VIC
   

Utilising precoat filtration and vacuum deaeration technologies, our leach liquor filtration systems help remove impurities, enhancing the extraction process and minimising the use of costly reagents like cyanide and zinc.

• Technologies: Auto-Jet® pressure leaf filter, HPD® Evaporation and Crystallisation
• Projects: Bendigo Mining, VIC
   

Our tailings solutions effectively manage overflow and support resource recovery, maximising the extraction of valuable materials from mine waste while still maintaining compliance.

• Technologies: Actiflo®, Hydrotech™ Discfilters, Multiflo™
• Projects: Ballarat Goldfields, VIC; Bendigo Mining, VIC
   

Using DenseSludge™ and OPUS® technology, Veolia’s acid mine water treatment solutions reduce sludge volume and improve the cost-efficiency of mine water management.

• Technologies: Actiflo®, AMDRO™, HPD® Evaporation and Crystallisation
• Projects: Angas Zinc Mine, SA
   

We provide advanced water treatment systems for solution mining, including HPD® evaporation and crystallization technologies, maximising resource recovery and efficiency.

• Technologies: Ion exchange, mineral precipitation, sludge drying
• Projects: Energy Resources of Australia (ERA), Ballarat Goldfields, VIC

There are three main elements of a mine water management program: water quantity, water quality and closure plans.

Water quantity
The quantity of water available at a mine site varies depending on the region. For example, in the western United States, water scarcity can play a role where the mine is reusing its pit water, but in parts of Canada, we are seeing the opposite where some mines have a positive water balance and have too much. Another thing to keep in mind is how climate change is going to impact the site’s water balance. This must be taken into account when determining the program. And finally, it is important to find the right balance between treatment capacity and storage needs: increased active treatment capacity reduces storage capacity and vice versa.

Water quality
What is the quality of the source water and how does the waste rock and tailings management impact the water quality? This along with the environmental regulations for effluent discharge are key in selecting the right technology for water treatment. It’s important to anticipate potential future regulations. For example, in British Columbia, Canada, regulations for selenium are becoming more and more stringent; mining companies are anticipating future regulations that may come into play in the near future, so they are already planning for these tighter regulations when developing their mine water treatment programs.

Closure plans
An often forgotten area when developing a mine water management program is to also keep in mind its closure plan. What is needed on a day-to-day basis for operations during the actual life of the mine is different from the actual post-closure operations.

Operating mines, as well as abandoned mine sites, generate acid mine drainage which requires water treatment to prevent adverse impacts to rivers and streams. Veolia has developed a proprietary process known as DenseSludge™ to reduce sludge management costs and improve the operating efficiency of treatment plants that have acid mine drainage. 
The DenseSludge™ recycle process forms particles that settle quickly, dewater readily, and hold little water. The result is a reduction in sludge generation by nearly 90% and production of a drier sludge, which reduces the volume of water that returns to the mine pool for re-treatment. The technology has enabled mining companies to extend the life of existing sludge storage facilities and reduce requirements for building of new storage.

The process of dealing with — or remediating — a closed mine site can come with several key issues and challenges, especially from a water treatment perspective. At the end of their productive working lives, it is vitally important to ensure that mines are managed in a manner that mitigates or eliminates any potentially adverse effects. In practice, this means that the owners of individual abandoned or closed mine sites often have a duty of care to protect the natural environment — both in and around the area. They need to make every effort to eliminate the possibility of any negative impacts, which can include contamination of the surrounding land and surface watercourses, as well as the pollution of local groundwater supplies and drinking water aquifers.

In doing so, the deployment of an effective water treatment strategy is likely to form a key component for effective mine closure and reclamation. Contaminated water at closed mine sites can contain a range of harmful and toxic substances and dangerous chemicals, as well as metals such as cadmium, nickel, iron, copper and zinc. Such materials will tend to vary depending on the nature and location of the mine site. Furthermore, water at abandoned mine sites can be highly acidic, which can pose a dangerous threat to human, animal and plant life.

The cost of a mining water system is dependent on many variables such as the functionality of the mine water treatment system, the capacity of the mine water treatment system, and the performance criteria. We also require information relating to the water flow rates for your mine and the quantity of water needed to be treated. This data can be provided by a water testing laboratory and cross-regulatory requirements. If you would like a quote from Veolia Water Technologies we would need to have this vital information to start the quotation process. Please get in contact with us if you require further information.

Yes, all the different Veolia mine water treatment systems and solutions we provide will remove all water contaminants meeting all regulatory requirements and often even improve the quality of the water beyond those official benchmarks.

Yes, mining water can often be reused after undergoing proper treatment. Reuse applications depend on the quality of the treated water and may include industrial processes, dust suppression, irrigation, or even potable water supply. Veolia Water Technologies provides advanced treatment systems that ensure mine water meets the required standards for its intended reuse, offering sustainable solutions to reduce water wastage and enhance operational efficiency.

Mining effluent refers to wastewater generated during mining operations, which can contain a range of pollutants, including sediments, heavy metals, sulfates, and chemicals. This effluent arises from activities such as mineral processing, dust suppression, and dewatering. To comply with environmental standards, mining effluent must be treated to remove contaminants before discharge or reuse. Veolia Water Technologies offers tailored solutions to address the specific challenges of mining effluent treatment, ensuring environmental protection and operational sustainability.

After mining, water used during operations typically becomes contaminated with solids, heavy metals, and chemicals, forming mine wastewater. This water is collected and treated to meet environmental regulations before discharge or reuse. Treated water can be safely returned to natural water bodies, used for site rehabilitation, or repurposed for industrial and agricultural applications. Effective mine water management is essential to minimise environmental impact and ensure compliance with regulations.

Neutralising acid mining water involves processes to raise its pH and remove dissolved metals. Common methods include adding alkaline substances such as lime, limestone, or sodium hydroxide, which neutralise acidity and precipitate heavy metals as solids. Advanced solutions, like those offered by Veolia Water Technologies, may also include biological treatment, membrane filtration, or ion exchange to further improve water quality and meet strict regulatory standards.