Pit & Quarry, March 2015
ENVIRONMENT Effective Water Management Equipment and technologies emerge to improve the handling of this key resource BY NATE MAGUIRE I n northern Chile desalinated water from the Pacific Ocean is pumped as high as 10000 ft above sea level into the Andes Mountains to sustain mining operations in the copper rich South American country Desalination facilities are being built along the coast as Chilean mining companies are turning to water desalination technologies to meet their process water requirements And its not just copper mines that have water management issues Aggregate operations and many types of mining operations face such issues Reverse osmosis is one of a number of water treatment technologies mining companies around the globe are pursuing in the face of protracted battles with local governments over water rights and permits and rising concerns over minings environmental Many large open pit mines have been excavated to significant depth requiring pumps capable of building significant pressure to boost water out of the pit impact This industry shift has implications not only for treatment equipment but also for the pumps and equipment used to transport water The mining industrys impact on water quality and quantity is among the most contentious water topics today It is driving mining companies to rethink water across their operations with an eye on efficient water management The global market research firm Frost Sullivan estimates water and wastewater services within the mining industry will grow to 36 billion by 2016 an increase of 13 billion from 2011 Equipment matters Most processes that involve moving water to or from a source rely on pumps Smart companies are investing in the most efficient reliable and adaptable equipment to ensure productivity in the face of variables such as rising energy costs increasing water scarcity and a volatile commodities market It is critical that equipment have the right material composition to avoid degradation or chemical reaction with the media it comes in contact with Likewise equipment for treating and transporting seawater must be able to withstand the damaging properties of salt which can react with metal components in a system Corrosion will lead to higher operational and replacement costs as well as downtime Dewatering advances Concern over the environmental impact of traditional mining practices coupled with increasing water scarcity continue to drive mining companies to seek more efficient forms of water management 94 PIT QUARRY March 2015 www pitandquarry com
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