With Calix’s ACTI-mag, a mine in Central NSW neutralises the water and precipitates any heavy metal contamination within the water for use within their froth flotation process, for the extraction of precious metals.
case study summary
Challenges
- Drought resulted in a low water table, exposing Potential Acid Sulphate Soils (PASS).
- Mine pit water had become very acidic due to the falling water table.
- Fresh water for the process was in short supply, at 2% storage capacity, alternative supplies needed to be sourced.
- The local council had given the mine site an ultimatum about the use of town drinking water in the minerals process.
Objectives
- Water recycling within a flotation process
- Recycling water during drought
- Reducing costs compared to caustic soda
- Rehabilitating the mine pit
- pH Neutralisation of pit water
Solution
Download Success story
ACTI-Mag application to the water that had accumulated in the pit allowed for a pH adjustment.
This allowed the mine site to neutralise the water and precipitate any heavy metal contamination within the water for use within their froth flotation process, for the extraction of precious metals.
Download the PDF NowBenefits of ACTI-Mag
Reduced the cost of pH neutralisation from the more expensive option of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).
Better dispersion within the pit for consistent neutralisation within the whole water body.
Stronger alkalinity allowed the precipitation of heavy metal contamination before re-use.
Reduced the risk to people, equipment and the environment from dosing neat caustic soda into a pipeline.
Introduction
Central NSW was suffering from a drought that was nearing five years long. All of the local water streams and rivers had dried up and the supply of potable water for the town was down to 2% storage capacity.
The water supply was a critical part of the operation of the mine site just outside the town. Their froth flotation process relies on water as a carrier to separate precious metals from other minerals within the crushed and ground rock.
Due to the dwindling water supply, the local council had asked the mine site to stop using the potable water supply that was also being used by the town for drinking water. A secondary pipeline from another body of water, also had no guarantee of supply due to the drought.
Fortunately, the mine site had an old underground mine and pit that had filled with rain and ground water over the ten years since it was last used. The ability to use this water was critical for the ongoing operation of the mine processing site.
Fortunately, the mine site had an old underground mine and pit that had filled with rain and ground water over the ten years since it was last used. The ability to use this water was critical for the ongoing operation of the mine processing site.
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