Mining Wastewater Treatment: Water Management for the Mining Industry

Mining is a water-intensive industry, and the presence of stringent environmental regulations and policies compel mining companies to adopt sustainable water and wastewater management practices.

Choosing appropriate mine dewatering and site water management solutions is essential to minimise water usage and reuse treated water while ensuring environmental safety and operational efficiency.

Finding mining wastewater treatment solution providers

Mining Technology has listed leading suppliers of water and wastewater treatment equipment and systems for the mining industry, based on its experience in the sector.

The list covers suppliers of a comprehensive range of water management solutions for mining applications. It includes turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors who can plan, design, and deliver integrated solutions for sustainable water management at mine sites.

The list also includes hydrogeological and water management consultants, mine dewatering experts, and suppliers of equipment and technologies to treat acid mine drainage, remove metal wastes and contaminants from mining wastewater, and control liquid effluent discharge.

The information contained within the document is useful for mining construction and operation managers, mining engineers and consultants, mining environmental planners, safety specialists, sustainability officers, andothers involved in water and wastewater management in the mining sector.

The download contains detailed information on mining water management contractors and their product and service lines, alongside their contact details.

Related Buyer’s Guides which cover an extensive range of mining equipment, manufacturers and technology, can also be found here.

Mining water management solutions and services

Water management and wastewater treatment solutions and services for the mining industry include:

  • Mine dewatering pumps, water pipelines, and storage tanks
  • High-pressure filter presses
  • Automatic flocculant units
  • Reverse osmosis (RO), ion-exchange, and membrane filters for treating process rinse waters and waste effluent
  • Crystallisation technology for zero liquid effluent discharge
  • Catalytic water filtration systems
  • Wastewater evaporators
  • Steel barriers for temporary flood protection at mine sites
  • Slurry tanks, pumps, and valves
  • Mine water and geosciences consultancy services

Frequently asked questions

  • What is water and wastewater management in mining?

    Water and wastewater management in mining involves controlling water usage, treatment, and discharge to minimise environmental impact and maintain operational efficiency. This process includes dewatering, wastewater recycling, and treatment of contaminants from mine effluents to meet regulatory standards.

  • How do dewatering systems work in mining?

    Dewatering systems remove excess groundwater and surface water from mine sites, preventing flooding and maintaining dry conditions for safe and efficient operations. These systems use pumps, pipelines, and storage tanks to collect and manage water.

  • What wastewater treatment technologies are used in mining?

    Mining wastewater treatment technologies include reverse osmosis, ion-exchange systems, and membrane filters, which remove contaminants like metals and acid drainage. Advanced methods, such as catalytic filtration and wastewater evaporators, are also used to achieve zero liquid discharge (ZLD).

  • How does water recycling improve sustainability in mining?

    Water recycling reduces freshwater consumption by reusing treated wastewater in mining operations. This reduces the environmental footprint, lowers costs, and helps companies comply with water usage regulations.

  • What are the challenges of acid mine drainage?

    Acid mine drainage occurs when sulphide minerals in rocks react with water and air, producing sulphuric acid that leaches heavy metals into nearby water sources. Managing this involves preventing acid generation and treating contaminated water to mitigate environmental harm.