- CASE STUDY
Lucara Diamond’s Karowe Mine Sewage Treatment Plant Expansion
Project Information
Client
Lucara Diamond’s Karowe Mine
Location
Letlhakane, Botswana
Capability
Sewage Treatment plant extension
Industry
Requirements
- Construction and lining of an inflow pond to contain inflow water during the shaft sinking and underground development.
- Construction and lining of two sediment ponds to dry sediments from the shaft sinking activities.
- Construction of artificial wetlands for final treated effluent polishing.
Top Challenges
Mine activities affected:
Inflow water adversely affected shaft sinking activities and underground development at the mine.
Inflow water adversely affected shaft sinking activities and underground development at the mine.
Generation of sediment:
Sediment generated during shaft sinking can obstruct piping and valves, as well as cause equipment abrasion.
Sediment generated during shaft sinking can obstruct piping and valves, as well as cause equipment abrasion.
High water consumption:
The consumption of water for operations and the mine camps was high leading to increased costs and negative environmental impact.
The consumption of water for operations and the mine camps was high leading to increased costs and negative environmental impact.
Requirements
- Construction and lining of an inflow pond to contain inflow water during the shaft sinking and underground development.
- Construction and lining of two sediment ponds to dry sediments from the shaft sinking activities.
- Construction of artificial wetlands for final treated effluent polishing.
The Result
- Daily inflow pond stores the inflow water during the shaft sinking and underground development period of the mine.
- The two sedimentation ponds ensure drying of sediments removed by the shaft sinking process and prevent blockage and abrasion of downstream equipment.
- Artificial wetlands are used as a final polishing step in wastewater treatment which not only enhances the water quality but also creates a habitat for various sensitive fauna and flora species.
- Treated effluent from the artificial wetlands is used for irrigation and dust suppression.
How WEC Added Value
Improvement of Mine Development Processes
WEC helped the mine to improve its development and shaft sinking efficiency, while at the same time provided a solution for the recycling of effluent water for use in dust suppression and irrigation from an eco-friendly artificial wetland.
From WEC Water
“
This project is a fairly standard one for WEC Water. Our clients, many of whom reside in some of the driest and hottest regions of Africa where water is scarce, depend on us to devise agile solutions for water reuse. We provide solutions that can treat water to meet both reuse and potable standards.
Ruan Kellerman, Contracts Manager at WEC Water
Ruan Kellerman, Contracts Manager at WEC Water
”
Water and Wastewater
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