THE CHALLENGE

Acacia Mining needed to reduce and manage brine volumes – and associated salts – at their Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at North Mara gold mine. This included the recovery of salts for reuse (including their safe storage and ultimate removal) and the safe discharge of treated water into the environment, without increasing plant operational costs.

OUR SOLUTION

Working in partnership with Acacia over a 12-month period, PROXA performed various studies and pilot plant test work. Our solution was to modify and upgrade the existing membrane treatment plant to remove non-hazardous salts. This not only reduced the brine volumes and salt load returned to the TSF, but we were able to reuse these recovered salts in soil remediation and in on-site mining processes. This further reduced the volume of chemicals required, which in turn minimised operating costs.

PROCESS RELIABILITY

Variable feed streams such as contaminated mine water, demand operational flexibility in order to continuously meet environmental discharge requirements.

HOW PROXA ADDED VALUE

PROXA turned to their innovative non-thermal processes to further reduce operational costs. In total, PROXA achieved a >35% reduction in operational costs for the site.

FEED WATER

Acid Mine Water

PRODUCT WATER

Compliant water for environmental discharge and reuse

PERFORMANCE TARGET

PROCESS

Hybrid PRAEMIUM

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Working together with key stakeholders, PROXA has ensured that the quality of the water being discharged into the river is fully compliant with environmental regulations.

Client: Acacia Mining