Challenge Minewater stored on site requires treatment by desalination enabling it to conform to EPA Licence conditions prior to its discharge to local waterways. The raw water contains high levels of manganese and iron which adds to the treatment challenge. An existing reverse osmosis desalination plant provided by another supplier was failing to operate efficiently because the presence of these contaminants was fouling the reverse osmosis membranes, substantially reducing their efficiency.

Solution Osmoflo’s solution includes an advanced oxidation process as part of an ultra filtration pre-treatment system to remove dissolved iron and manganese. An additional 12 ML/d of RO capacity has also been installed more than doubling the original plant’s output.

Result The system was designed fabricated and tested at Osmoflo’s Burton manufacturing facility in South Australia prior to transport to Ulan Mine.

Glencore is one of the world’s largest mining companies with significant interests in Australian coal operations.