CRC ORE
164 struggle to recycle the water efficiently . This brings another set of challenges — poor levels of water recycling and wet tailings dams that are a safety hazard across the Industry ”.
Dr Adair ’ s conclusion , and where he believes CRC ORE can have an impact with its research and solutions , is that effective pre-concentration in the mine is required to dramatically reduce the volume of treated material that has no value . “ We then need to apply the principles of gangue rejection into the design and operation of new energy and water efficient process equipment and circuits . This will require the realisation of co-creation partnerships between selected miners and suppliers to implement these solutions quickly . Nothing less than a complete step change in energy reduction and close to full recycling of water will suffice ”. Ironically , he also states that this will actually increase metal production at sites , with cheaper capital and operating expenditures proclaiming that “ sustainability really isn ’ t a cost !”
SUMMER / AUTUMN 2020