Recycled water by Tailing Thickening

Challenge the practice is addressing: The practice is addressing the process of tailing thickening to enhance the reusage of water at the process plant. If this practice is not used, the water consumption of the power plant causes high costs, water scarcity for the surrounding areas and water loss from evaporation. By implementing a tailing thickening stage at the power plant and reusing water such problems could be immensely decreased. Drakelands Mine was mentioned as an example.

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: To achieve the reduction of environmental concerns regarding water loss from evaporation and costs, the power plant uses a thickening tailing stage to reuse up to 80 per cent of the water that has already been used. This would decrease the amount of water consumption and water release.

Expected impact/goal of the practice: This would create economic and social benefits for the surrounding areas and would reduce costs for in long term perspective for the power plant. Furthermore, it would reduce the environmental concerns regarding water loss from evaporation and would considerably reduce the water scarcity in some regions because of the power plant. Furthermore, it would preserve the soil quality with significantly decreased residues.

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? The practice is primarily for companies but local communities would benefit from the outcome.