Four ways to help reduce water consumption in the mining sector

The National Water Authority (ANA) confirmed that the mining sector uses between 11% and 31% of Peru’s available water, while 86% is used for agricultural activities. However, given that a large portion of mining operations are located in areas of high water stress or at the headwaters of river basins, the pressure on this resource is significant and requires increasingly efficient and responsible management.

“The mining sector today faces a double challenge: maintaining operational competitiveness while simultaneously demonstrating a real commitment to the water environment in which it operates. It's not just about complying with regulations, but about adopting a strategic vision of water as a scarce resource that must be preserved,” states Sergio Cepeda, Division Leader of Industries, Downstream, and Mining at Ecolab for South Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and Cluster Leader for Ecolab in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.

It is at that point that Sergio shares four ways to help reduce water consumption in mining:

• Water recirculation in production processes: One of the most effective ways to reduce freshwater consumption is to maximize its recirculation within the operation itself. This involves treating the water used in various processes such as flotation and grinding, and reintegrating it into the production circuit.
  
  
• Efficient water recovery in tailings management: Tailings represent one of the biggest opportunities to recover water in a mining operation, which is why there is Technology WaterShed™ de Nalco Water, which allows for more efficient extraction of retained water from tailings, without requiring large physical structures or high capital investments. It optimizes conditions for rapid drying and consolidation of tailings, accelerating water recovery for reuse or in the process, resulting in greater operational flexibility, cost reduction, and lower environmental impact.
  
  
• Incorporating Alternative Water Sources: Reducing reliance on continental water is crucial in regions with high water stress. The use of seawater, whether raw or desalinated through reverse osmosis processes, is an increasingly adopted alternative by large and medium-sized mining operations. “For this solution to work efficiently, they require specific chemical treatments to prevent corrosion, scaling, and biofouling in equipment, ensuring the operability of the systems and the quality of the process,” states Sergio.
  
  
• Optimization with the flotation process: The flotation circuit is one of the largest consumers of water in mineral processing. Improving its efficiency not only impacts ore recovery but also water consumption. The solution Flotation 360™ de Nalco Water integrates advanced chemistry, smart sensors, and artificial intelligence to optimize circuit performance. By maximizing recovery with lower reagent and water consumption, the water footprint of the entire operation is reduced.

“When we demonstrate that a plant can save millions of liters, reduce emissions, and increase production using technology specifically designed for each company, we change the conversation. Mining can and must be part of the solution to the water problem,” adds the Ecolab specialist.

The adoption of these strategies represents a competitive advantage and a concrete commitment to sustainability. The technology is available, the next step is its large-scale application.

About Ecolab:

Ecolab is a global sustainability leader, offering water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and vital resources.

Building on a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $15 billion, employs more than 48,000 people, and operates in over 170 countries worldwide. The company offers comprehensive scientific solutions, data-driven insights, and first-class service to improve food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use.

Ecolab's innovative solutions improve operational efficiency and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, life sciences, lodging, and industrial markets.
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