MINE WATER MANAGEMENT
Closed-loop water circuits for mines
Since that first potable water storage tank installation in 1999, SBS has supplied many liquid storage solutions to mines
The mining sector is estimated to consume around 5% of South Africa’s water resources, with many mines located in drought-stricken regions where water is in short supply.
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his calls for the creation of cost-effective, waterefficient solutions, built around managing the demand for freshwater or alternative water sources and the ability to reduce consumption, limit evaporation and process existing water in a closed circuit. There also must be a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the mine and effective planning that can accommodate both existing and future needs. With a history of over two decades in the mining sector, the SBS Tanks range is ideally suited to the needs of the mining sector and can be utilised at all stages of the process within a closed water circuit. The first SBS Tanks mining installation took place at a coal mine in Ogies, in the Nkangala District Municipality,
Mpumalanga, South Africa. Since that first potable water storage tank installation in 1999, SBS has supplied many liquid storage solutions to mines across South Africa, into Africa and across the globe. The company has worked with many top mining companies to deliver adequate water and wastewater processing and storage systems, and has gained vast experience and expertise along the way.
Key considerations
By using this experience, and partnering with mine engineers and procurement specialists, SBS has established three key considerations to address when developing an effective closed-circuit water solution that limits the requirements for ‘new’ freshwater in the mining context.
• O n-site requirements and speed of installation Historically, concrete structures had been considered the go-to solution for water or liquid storage. However, the mining industry has come to realise that concrete comes with time and cost constraints, and can have a greater environmental impact. SBS Tanks can be installed on a simple ring beam structure that can be erected within a few days and commissioned immediately. Due to their modular nature, these tanks can be installed in even the most remote locations and do not require heavy equipment on-site or an access road for components to be transported. The local South African SBS manufacturing facility is both ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 compliant, addressing the need for quality, health and safety
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