1. Integrated Water Management in the
Mining Sector:
Overview and a case study
Chris Hertle | Global Leader - Water
Leah Sertorio | Senior Process Engineer
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2. Presentation Overview
• Introduction to GHD
• Threats and Opportunities in mining sector
• Water consumption and Value
• Water management optimisation
• Integrate leading edge technology
• A case study
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

3. At a glance
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

4. Where are we?
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

5. GHD’s Strategy
Purpose - harness the experience and capability of our global network of talented people
- become the preferred partner of our clients.
Client-centred culture:
• Actively nurture & maintain industry networks
• Develop comprehensive understanding of
our clients’ businesses
• Cultivate long-term partnerships and
• Foster a collaborative environment for
our people to work together to accomplish
more for our clients.
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

6. Market Sectors
GHD serves clients in the global markets of:
• Water
• Energy and Resources
• Environment
• Property and Buildings
• Transportation
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

7. Water in Mining - a love-hate relationship
Can’t dig with it …
…. can’t dig without it
Burra, Copper Mine, SA
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

8. Threats and Limitations
Too little water
- Less mineral processed
- No operation possible
- No community survival
Too much water
- Ore body is difficult to access
- Environmental discharge Flooded coal mine near Dalby, Qld in Jan 2011
- Loss of production – recent
examples are ERA and Qld
AUD5-9Billion in lost production
coal industry
Qld Resource Council estimate
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

9. Threats and Limitations
Water quality
- Drinking
- Processing
- Environmental discharge
Rio Tinto Mine, Spain
Community concern
- Impact on society’s water resources
- Impact on the environment
CSM field development
Four Corners, ABC, Feb 2011
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

10. Opportunities – Water is Money
Financial savings
- Efficient water use
- Pumping & heating or cooling
- Treatment
- Monitoring/metering
Water outlets
Growth potential
- More ore extracted
- More ore able to be processed
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

11. Opportunities – Water is an asset
Water business
- Treat and sell excess water
- Irrigate crops
- Stock drinking water
Corporate citizenship
- Relationship with Community
RO Plant
- Public image and approval
Business imperative
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

12. Water Consumption in WA
WA uses 10% of Australia's water
Water Consumption by State
7000
5922
6000
4993
5000 4562
4361
Gigalitres (GL)
4000
3351 2004/05
2991 2008/09
3000
2000 1495
1365 1371
1168
1000
434 456
141 154 56 48
0
QLD NSW VIC NT SA TAS ACT WA
State
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

13. Water Consumption in WA
WA Mining uses 19 % of WA water and 63 % of the water used in mining in Australia
WA Industry Water Consumption in 2008/09
24% 24%
Agriculture
Forestry and Fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
6% Electricity and Gas
Water Supply
13%
Other Industries
Household
19%
8%
2% 4%
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

14. $ Generated by Water used by Industry
The mining industry gets good value per L of Water used – and its improving!
Industry Gross Value Added per GL of Water Consumed
800
709
672
700
600
500
2004/05
$mill
400
2008/09
300 226
200 166 164
97
100 55 49
2 4 2 3
0
Manufacturing
sewerage and
Mining
Agriculture
Electricity
industries
Water supply,
and Gas
all other
drainage
Industry
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

15. Water Consumption by Industry…
Australia used 14100GL in 2008/9 – 510 GL (3%) was used in mining
Mineral industry Water Consumption
(L/t)
Coal 200
Aluminium 1200 - 1600
Bauxite 30
Alumina refining 3 160
Aluminium smelting 1 400
Copper 50,000
Gold 500 - 1000
Nickel 200,000
Zinc 7 900
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

16. So things are pretty good
– how can we improve?
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

17. Simple Steps for Water Use Optimisation
Identify water quality and quantity needs and water sources
Assess and monitor water quality and meter water flows
Develop a water balance model
Look at opportunities for water redistribution
Assess the need for water treatment
Select the best treatment strategy
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

18. Extraction
Identify Water Usage
Processing
Dust Suppression
Cooling and heating
Vehicle Wash down
Slurry Conveyance
Truck washing facility, Cannington Coal Mine, Qld
People : Drinking/Shower
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

19. Identify Water Sources
Groundwater
Rainwater
Public water supply
Dams, reservoirs
Potable water
Somewhere in Western Australia
Reclaimed water
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

20. Map Water Movements on Site
Recycling
Supply Evaporation
Usage
Public Water
Supply
Process water Tailing
Mineral separation ponds
Groundwater
Rainwater
Dewatering Retention
River
Run-off water ponds
Treatment Processes
Drinking Environmental
Water SITE Acid Mine Drainage Discharge
Irrigation
Dams Equipment washing
Reservoirs Supply to other
Industries
Domestic wastewater
Reclaimed
Water Dust management
Cooling and Drilling
Slurry Conveyance
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

21. Assess Water Quality
Water origin Typical Characteristics
Groundwater Variable salinity, pH and heavy metals
Runoff water High suspended solids, low metal content
Mine dewatering High salinity, heavy metal
Acid Mine Drainage Very low pH, high metal content, sulfates
Process water High salinity, suspended solids, heavy metals,
process chemicals
Rainwater Slightly acidic pH
Sewage Pathogens, high ammonia, phosphorus and organics
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

22. Assess Water Quality Requirements
Water Usage Quality requirements
Process water Comply with process operational needs
Mineral separation Comply with process operational needs
Human consumption Drinking water quality
Dust suppression Comply with health and safety requirements
Equipment washing Comply with health and safety requirements
Discharged water Comply with the environmental discharge license
Cooling Towers Limited by the scaling potential, low suspended solids
Don’t forget the monitoring and metering program !
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

23. Develop Water and salt Balance
Evaporation
Process
Cooling ???
Raw Water Category 1
Treatement
500 ML/yr 75 ML/yr
Potable Water Category 2
240 ML/yr The SITE 140 ML/yr
Treatment
Rainfall/Groundwater Category 3
Wetlands
??? ???
Sewer Pit Waste
???
WWTP
To do that , one needs data
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

24. Water Pinching
Redistribution of Water
- from one area of the site to another
- from one site to another
- “fit-for-purpose” water quality
Stormwater Collection
- preserve rainwater quality
Reuse of Domestic Wastewater
Reuse of industrial wastewater
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

25. The Ultimate in Un-Sustainability
Mammoth Water Condenser, Coolgardie, 132,000 gpd - 100 t/d fuel!
In 1896 the worlds largest desalination plant was built in Western Australia at
Coolgardie
Image
placeholder
Water Reuse The Way Forward!!
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

26. Water Treatment Technologies
Pretreatment - Physical / Chemical
Thickening, clarification and filtration
- gravity, centrifugal, belt thickening
- floatation
- media filtration
Antiscalents
Coagulation/Flocculation
- alum and iron salts
- synthetic polymers
Precipitation/crystallisation
- alkaline processes,
- sulfide
Underground flocculation system at CMT, Tas
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

27. Water Treatment Technologies
Biological Systems
Aerobic systems
Anaerobic systems
- Removal of organics
- Removal of organics
- Sulfide oxidation
- Sulfate reduction and removal
- Sulfur production
- Sulfide production & ppt of metals
- Removal of N & P
High Rate Anaerobic Treatment
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

28. Water Treatment Technologies
Post treatment - Physical
Membrane technologies
- Micro-filtration
- Ultra-filtration
- Nano-filtration
- Reverse Osmosis
- Electro Dialysis Reversal (EDR)
Ion exchange
- Resins
- Natural and modified zeolite clays
Microfiltration at Fosters, Qld
Filtration
Sand
Multimedia
Granular activated carbon
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

29. Slurry Management
Maximise slurry density to allow tighter water recycling
Dense phase stacking where possible
Recovery of slurries from runoff ponds
Biological systems for minerals recovery
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

30. Tailings Management
All treatment technologies produce a WASTE
Volume of waste produced varies
Tailings dam disposal
Water and waste recycling ?
Caustic recovery
Water recovery
Minerals recovery
Red Mud Dam at QAL, Qld
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

31. Case Study – use of Recycled
Water
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

32. Regulations and Guidelines Vary Depending
on Type of Reuse
Indirect potable reuse More Stringent Regulations
Agricultural Reuse on Food Crops
Unrestricted Recreational Reuse
Unrestricted Urban Irrigation Reuse
Restricted Urban Irrigation Reuse
Restricted Recreational Reuse
Industrial Reuse
Environmental Reuse
Agricultural Reuse on Non-food Crops Less Stringent Regulations
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

33. Remote Mining Communities
Olympic Dam, South Australia Olympic Dam Mine & Processing Plant
Roxby Downs
Mine 9%
2%
Refinery
1%
Smelter Concentrator
21% 49%
The Desalination Plant
Olympic Way to Roxby Township
Hydromet
18%
Leinster, Western Australia Evap Ponds
WWTP
2 500 EP WWTP
Domestic Sewage Leinster Township
Effluent Reuse for irrigation in
township – ovals, parks
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

34. National Water Reuse Guidelines
Guidelines for Sewerage Systems –
Use of Reclaimed Water
(ARMCANZ/ANZECC/NHMRC)
January 2000
National Guidelines for Water
Recycling – Managing Health &
Environmental Risks (NRMMC, EPHC &
AHMC)
November 2006
Australian Guidelines for Water
Recycling – Augmentation of Drinking
Water Supplies (NRMMC & EPHC),
Draft, release for public comment
July 2007
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

35. State Reuse Guidelines
Western Australia:
—Draft Guidelines for the Use of Recycled Water in Western Australia (April 2009)
Queensland:
—Queensland Guidelines for the Safe Use of Recycled Water (EPA 2004)
—Queensland Water Recycling Guidelines (December 2005)
South Australia:
—South Australian Reclaimed Water Guidelines (Treated Effluent), (EPA/DHS 1999)
New South Wales:
—NSW Guidelines for urban and residential use of reclaimed water (NSWRWCC 1993)
Victoria:
—Victorian Guidelines for Environmental Management: Use of Reclaimed Water (EPA
Victoria 2002)
—Guidelines for Environmental Management: Dual Pipe water Recycling Schemes –
Health and Environmental Risk Management (Victorian EPA Publication No. 1015, October
2005).
Tasmania:
—Environmental Guidelines for the Use of Recycled Water in Tasmania (DPIWE 2002)
ACT:
—Defer to National Guidelines
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

36. Water for What?
Treatment Costs Fit for Purpose Water Quality
Class Uses
A Urban Irrigation with unrestricted access -
HIGH ovals, parks & gardens
Urban non-potable eg. Toilet flushing
Agriculture – human food crops.
B Urban Irrigation with restricted access
MEDIUM during irrigation-ovals, parks & gardens
Dairy cattle
Industrial washdown water
C Urban recreational with controlled access &
LOW preventative measures, eg. Golf courses.
Agriculture – processed foods
D Non-human food crops eg.
EXTRA woodlots, flowers, instant turf
LOW
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

37. “Class A” Applications- HIGH Exposure Risk
High Probability of Public Contact or exposure –
unrestricted public access & application
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

38. Risk – Management preferred to Avoidance
A Risk Management approach to water recycling, based on quantitative risk
assessment and “Hazard And Critical Control Point Analysis (HACCP), is
preferred to a Risk Avoidance approach.
Both the updated/revised National & State: Western Australian Guidelines
support this concept
Clear water reuse guidelines and risk management frameworks are essential
to provide project certainty for system operators and public confidence that
public health and environmental protection are adequate.
Guidelines not binding at present but will help to remove institutional,
regulatory and financing constraints, resolve insurance issues and minimise
litigation risks.
Health Department of W.A. will require compliance of all recycling schemes
to guidelines within 5 years of acceptance of treatment system
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

39. Risk Management Approach
Twelve element framework for the management of recycled water quality
and use
Application of preventative measures (barriers) commensurate with the level
of risk
Based on risk management
STEP 1: Define tolerable risk
STEP 2: Assess risk
STEP 3: Calculation of health based targets (log reductions)
STEP 4: Preventative measures (achieve log reductions)
Performance subject to monitoring at a frequency that enables timely
intervention
End product monitoring to verify that the management system as a whole is
operational
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

40. Risk Assessment Model
COMMUNICATION, CONSULTATION, ENGAGEMENT, REVIEW
1. Issue Identification
2. Exposure 3. Hazard
Assessment Assessment
Review 4. Risk Review
Characterisation
5. Risk Management
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

41. Log Reductions for Specified Uses
Water use Exposure Log Reduction Required
(L/year) Virus Bacteria Protozoa
Urban 0.66 6 5 4.9
Irrigation
Irrigation of 0.5 5.9 4.9 4.8
Food crops
Toilet flushing 0.05 4.8 3.8 3.7
Drinking 700 9.0 8.0 7.9
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

42. Log Reductions in Process Barriers
Log Reductions
Process Barriers Virus Bacteria Protozoa
Primary Treatment 0 – 0.1 0 – 0.5 0 – 1.0
Secondary Treatment 0 - 2.0 1.0 – 3.0 0.5 – 1.5
Tertiary Treatment – Media Filtration + 0.5 – 3.0 0 – 1.0 0.5 – 3.0
coagulation
Tertiary Treatment - Membrane filtration 2.0 – 4.0 2.5 - >6 >6
Chlorination 1.0 – 3.0 2-6 0 – 1.5
UV Irradiation 2.0 – 4.0 2 - >4 >4
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

43. Examples and Performance of Preventative
Measures
Preventative Measure Log Reductions
Cooking or Processing 5-6
Drip Irrigation 2
Subsurface Irrigation 4
Impoundment/with holding 0.5 log per day
Spray drift control 1
No public access when irrigating 2
Buffer Zone 1
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

44. Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

45. Putting Recycled Water Risk in Perspective
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

46. Waste Water Treatment System
Mentioned ABOVE
Preliminary - Screening Removal
Primary - Solids Removal
Gravity Sedimentation
Flotation
Cyclonic Systems
Secondary - Biological Removal
Lagoon Systems
Trickling Filters
Activated Sludge (Oxidation
Ditches & MBBRs)
SBRs
MBRs
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

47. Waste Water Treatment System
Tertiary - Water Reuse
Media Filtration
Membrane Filtration i.e. MF/UF &
NF/RO
Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
Electrolysis, Electro-dialysis and
Evaporation
Ammonia Removal (Air Stripping)
Chemical Phosphorus Removal
Carbon Adsorption
Ion Exchange
Advanced Oxidation
Disinfection - Water Reuse
Chlorination
Chloramine
UV Wastewater, MBR and RO effluent
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

48. Case Study – Leinster, W.A.
WWTP system:
– 2,500 EP Capacity
– Domestic Sewage
Current WWTP:
– Pasveer Channel System
incorporates solids removal;
extended aeration; decanting;
sludge disposal; disinfection
– Decant Water disposal via
Evaporation Ponds
WWTP Upgrade to achieve better
effluent quality for water reuse
irrigation in Leinster township &
improve system reliability
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

49. Leinster, W.A – Building Community
Corporate citizenship
- Relationship with Community
- Public image and approval
Water is an asset
- Treat and sell excess water
- Water Reuse Irrigation –
town ovals, golf course
Business imperative
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

50. Conclusion
Water issues vary from one site to the other
Water management can be improved by:
- Identifying water usages and water sources
- Monitoring water quality and metering key water flows
- Constructing and maintaining a water/salt balance
- Looking at opportunities for water redistribution
- Assessing the need for water treatment
- Selecting the best treatment strategy and technology
Goro Nickel, New Caledonia
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector

51. www.ghd.com
Integrated Water Management for the Mining Sector