Application of the water footprinting method and water accounting framework to a base metal refining process

Abstract

The key to a sustainable future lies in understanding and utilising resources more efficiently. This holds especially for industries that seek to minimise water usage through better management of resources. Most mineral processing plants have high water requirements, yet often function in an environment where water is becoming increasingly scarce. Further, an increase in population will result in an even greater demand for water, potentially beyond the limits of supply. This would lead to even greater competition for the resource. In South Africa, Gauteng and the North West Provinces are likely to be the first to experience a shortage of potable water. A base metals refinery in Rustenburg sought to understand and minimise its potable water usage, as well as report its usage using global tools and frameworks. The two tools used in this study were the Minerals Council of Australia's 'Water Accounting Framework for the Minerals Industry' (WAF) and the Water Footprinting method (WF). The potable water and stormwater systems were surveyed to assess and determine methods to improve water accountability. Using information from the survey, monthly and yearly water balances were presented in the form of a water balance sheet. Using data from the water balance, an input-output and operational model were drawn up in accordance with the WAF. The WAF models assisted in reporting data in a universally consistent manner. Blue, green and grey WFs were calculated for the refinery and recommendations were made to achieve savings in water consumption.

Water Footprint Assessment of Carbon in Pulp Gold Processing in Turkey

“…In these previous studies, the grey WF value has a higher percentage than WF value. [17,20,22,37]. Another graph for the results obtained is presented in This graph shows the amount of rain water held by open surfaces and the amount evaporated from these surfaces on a monthly basis.…”

“…Another study was conducted by Osman et al (2013) in South Africa for a base metal refinery (BMR) [20]. In this study, the data were taken directly from the field via flow meters.…”

Accounting for Water Footprint of an Open-Pit Copper Mine

“…Mining activities use an extensive amount of water in their various phases of production, with copper mining itself using more than 1.3 billion cubic meter water during 2006 [1,2]. The recent trend of declining ore grade along with stringent water regulations is putting sustainability challenge to this industry [3].…”

“…The recent trend of declining ore grade along with stringent water regulations is putting sustainability challenge to this industry [3]. Understanding and utilizing the resources efficiently is a key for sustainable resource use and management, which is being put forward by the international and national community [2,4]. If a reduction in mine water use could be done, this will surely help to warrant that the water requirements are met without posing further encumbrance on the available resource.…”

“…Despite the merit of the WF from the viewpoint of sustainability, only a few research studies have considered this for mining products [2][3][4][5][6]21]. Moreover, the scope of those studies was confined to the calculation of a blue WF, and in some cases both blue and grey WFs.…”