Mine saves millions through zero discharge plan

Abstract

Mine-water management The availability of water is fast becoming one of the major elements restraining the expansion of mining in South Africa. While not the biggest users of water in the country, the mining sector does require large volumes. In many instances existing bulk water infrastructure was developed with agriculture and industry in mind, and mining operations have to compete with these users for available water resources. When additional bulk water infrastructure schemes are constructed for new mining developments, as is largely the case with the De Hoop Dam, mining companies are compelled to sign offtake agreements to help finance these schemes. The off-take agreements ‘force’ mines to buy a certain volume of water; irrespective of whether they use it or not. Typical new raw water costs are more than R10/m3. In this case there are no incentives for mines to use less water. As a result, simply constructing more expensive bulk water schemes are not an attractive option – both for the environment and for mining companies.

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