R&D needs to meet the water usage and management challenges in the South African mining / minerals processing industry

Transcription

1 R&D needs to meet the water usage and management challenges in the South African mining / minerals processing industry Jeremy Mann Centre for Minerals Research University of Cape Town 21 April 2016

2 Presentation Overview The South African national water resource The South African mining industry Water challenges in South Africa Key drivers for water related R&D for the mining industry Key research areas for mining & processing Short to medium term R&D Long term R&D Key performance criteria that new technologies must provide Conclusion 2

3 South African Water Resource Uneven spatial distribution and seasonality of rainfall Relatively low stream flow in rivers most of the time Location of major urban and industrial developments remote from the country s larger watercourses 3

4 Shared Rivers & Transfer Schemes 4 International river basins Shared with 6 neighbouring countries 70% of South Africa s water resources are transboundary in nature 4

5 Water Users & Consumption 6 Water use categories. Differential water use charges will be applied. Not all water users will be liable for charges. Agriculture the biggest user ~60%. Municipal & domestic 2 nd biggest user ~ 27%. Mining only ~2.5%. 5

6 South Africa s water scarcity Based on: Rising population, economic growth projections, scarcity of resources as well as current use and efficiency levels. South Africa will demand 17% more water than exists by In addition, South Africa s water supplies are already almost fully allocated. This means that new businesses and industries will find it increasingly difficult to access water licenses, particularly in more overdrawn catchments. This places renewed emphasis on the need for: innovative solutions, technologies and processes as well as highly skilled individuals. 6

7 South Africa s water pollution The land based activities Agriculture: runoffs from irrigation bring nutrients and salts from fertilisers used in farming Industries: effluents and discharges Mining: defunct mines discharge acid water into the environment Human settlements; partially or untreated sewage discharges impact ecosystems by introducing pollution that alter the quality of water resources. 7

8 South African mining industry In 2013 the mining sector accounted for 8.3% of GDP directly. The 2014 ICMM Investment in Mining report identified South Africa as the seventh most significant mining nation in the world. Mineral exports as a % of total SA merchandise exports remains significant at 26% in

9 Global bench mark comparison (5 year average) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ECONONMIC CONTRIBUTION OF: Low & middle income nations South Africa 60-90% of Total FDI 15 25% of Total FDI Exports 30 60% of Total Exports 30 35% of Total Exports Government Revenue 3 20% of Government Revenues 30 35% of Government Revenues National Income (GDP & GNI) 3 10% of Total National Income 8% of Total National Income Employment 1 2% of Total Employment 8 15% of Total Employment 9

10 South Africa s mineral reserve ranking Commodity SA s rank in World reserves SA s % of World s reserves Chromium 1 ~ 85% Fluorspar 3 ~ 17% Gold 2 ~ 12% Manganese 1 ~ 24% Platinum Group Metals 1 ~ 96% Titanium minerals 4 ~ 10% Uranium 6 ~ 5% Vanadium 3 ~ 25% Zirconium minerals 2 ~ 29% 10

11 Distribution of mining activity 11

12 Location of major urban and mining activities relative to the larger watercourses 12

13 2009: Status of Water Quality in South Africa 13

14 Water pollution from mining activities 1. Acid mine drainage. 2. Heavy metal contamination and leaching. 3. Processing chemicals pollution. 4. Erosion & Sedimentation. 14

15 Water Management in South Africa The Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation is the national custodian of South Africa s water. 9 Catchment Management Agencies (CMA). Water User Associations (WUA). A body responsible for international water management. 15

16 South African Mine Water Atlas 16

17 South African Mine Water Atlas 17

18 Survey of Mining Industry Water R&D needs Regulatory Framework institutions (2) Industry and Government Research Organisations (3) Environmental & Water Consultants (3) University departments involved in water research (3) Mining Companies (6) Platinum Gold Base Coal Sector 18

19 Key mining water challenges in South Africa Water scarcity: Water reserves are already over-allocated to water users. A significant net deficit between supply and demand will result in the medium term. Water quality deteriorating severely: Acid rock drainage from surface waste dumps and tailings impoundments. Acid mine drainage from the decantation of closed mine workings. The fresh water systems are being significantly overloaded with contaminants as a result of untreated (and only partially treated) sewage municipal and regional water treatment plants. 19

20 Key drivers for mining water related R&D Legal compliance. Water scarcity. Environmental protection. Mine closure requirements. Production penalties. Socio political pressure. 20

21 Key short to medium term R&D themes Creating value from discharges and effluents. Closed water systems. Water efficient processing. Energy efficient treatment technologies. Passive systems. Measurement and monitoring systems. 21

22 Key long term R&D themes The long term sustainability of the technology adopted. Non Reverse Osmosis treatment technologies. Alternatives to lime precipitation and neutralisation. Disposal of tailings and waste in old mine workings. 22

23 Key performance criteria new technologies must provide Cost neutrality, or at least cost effectiveness. Long term economic sustainability. Commercially demonstrated and serviced. Consistent water quality after treatment. Energy efficiency. 23

24 Conclusion The mining and resources industry s R&D thrust will focus on the reduction of fresh water consumption, the removal of contaminants from mine water seepages and effluent, and highly water efficient processing plants. All three of these thrusts support the concept of establishing closed water concentrators in the minerals processing industry. 24

25 Acknowledgements Outotec Academy of Finland Anglo American Anglo American Coal Anglo American Platinum Aalto University AngloGold Ashanti ARM Nkomati CoalTech Chamber of Mines Dept. of Water Affairs and Sanitation Digby Wells Environmental Mintek National Research Foundation (NRF) Pulles Howard & DeLange Consulting SAMMRI Sibanye Gold University of Cape Town University of Stellenbosch Water Research Commission 25

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