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The Water Research Commission and Acid Mine Drainage Research. Dr Jo Burgess. 21 st July 2010. The Water Research Commission. Created by the Water Research Act, 1971. Water quantity and quality are critical to South Africa’s long-term sustainability. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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The Water Research Commission and Acid Mine Drainage ResearchDr Jo Burgess21st July 2010
The Water Research Commission
Created by the Water Research Act, 1971.Water quantity and quality are critical to South
Africa’s long-term sustainability.Research and development have provided for the
development of policies and strategies that allow for the sustainability of our water resources.
Emphasises the important role of water-centred knowledge in the past, & its increasingly important role in providing knowledge which will allow us to deal with new challenges that are facing our limited water resources in future.
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An integrated approach to meeting South Africa’s societal/water sector R&D needs.
Integrated solutions to invariably complex, inter-disciplinary problems.
Ongoing strategic identification of needs (short-, medium- and long-term needs, both explicit and implicit).
A set of key strategic areas (KSAs) for investing in knowledge creation, transfer and dissemination.
Mandate of the WRC focuses on:
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Water Resource Management
Water-Linked Ecosystems
Water Use and Waste Management
Water Use
Water Utilisation in Agriculture
Water Resources
Water-Centred Knowledge
Key Strategic Areas
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Key Strategic Area 3Water Use & Waste Management
Thrust 1Water
Services – Institutional
and Management
Issues
Thrust 2Water Supply
and Treatment
Technology
Thrust 3Wastewater and Effluent Treatment and Reuse
Technology
Thrust 4Industrial and Mine Water
Management
Thrust 5Sanitation, Health and
Hygiene Education
Mine water-related projects
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Focus areas in AMD
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Improved Predictive AbilityGeneration of acid drainage.Rise in water levels and/or time and point of decant when pumping associated with active mining stops.
Minimising the Production and Impact of Acid Mine DrainageSeveral approaches evaluated to reduce production and impact of AMD. Regional closure strategy developed and is being implemented by the regulating authorities to ensure responsible closing of mines in the same ore body. (Fundamental change from the previous approach, mine closure of individual mines).
Treatment TechnologiesAcidity and dissolved metal added to low rainfall exacerbate salinity associated with AMD (and neutralised AMD) (e.g. effluents from gold mines contribute estimated 35% of the salt load within approx. 6% of the water flow at the Barrage in the Vaal River). Much research is focused on technology to remove sulphate and metals and to neutralise acidity.
Previous mine water projectsProgramme No. of projects Cost (R million)
Quantification 2 0.394
Regulatory 3 1.351
Minimising impact 7 2.685
Minimising waste production
9 7.460
Improved prediction 7 5.171
Treatment 10 7.641
See brochure: Mine Water Reports.
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HighlightsMine opening strategy for Waterberg coal resources.Largest ever International Mine Water Association hosted in Pretoria.Cleaner production guidelines specifically for the mining industry completed & launched early 2010. New energy efficient method to remove metals & salts from a mixed solution one at a time (eutectic freeze).Pilot plant application of novel process (ambient temperature ferrite process) for treatment of AMD.
Mine Water
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Future Research FocusFocus on cleaner production at unit operation level to prevent pollution.AMD prevention in preference to treatment.Improved water quality monitoring from mining -novel sensors to detect groundwater pollution from mining activity.Liquid emulsion membranes to treat recalcitrant platinum group metals.Inspect water footprint / carbon footprint trade-off in mining.
Technology transfer
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Work closely with Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), DWA, Chamber of Mines (CoM), Coaltech, International Mine Water Association (IMWA) and International Network on Acid Prevention (INAP).DWA: Fifteen Best Practice Guidelines for Resource Protection in the SA Mining Industry. Four deal with DWA’s water management hierarchy, five with general water management strategies, techniques and tools, and six with specialised mining activities or aspects.WRC, MWD of WISA, DWA and CoM hosted two symposia (Oct 2007, Feb 2009, Oct 2009) to develop and launch new Global Acid Rock Drainage Guide.WRC and MWD of WISA together with IMWA hosted an International Minewater Conference from 19 to 23 October 2009.
Further information
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WRC website: www.wrc.org.za
Email: [email protected]
Mine water research brochure
Summary reportKnowledge Review
Project research reports
