BHP and Rio Tinto, two global mining companies, have formed a collaboration agreement to accelerate the development of technology that could significantly increase water recovery from mine tailings, reducing potential safety risks and environmental footprints associated with tailings storage facilities.
The first project will include putting an innovative large-volume filter unit to the test at a BHP copper mine in Chile, where it will remove up to 80% of the water in the tailings stream before it is deposited in a storage facility.
Since 2005, Rio Tinto has used smaller-scale tailings filters at alumina refineries, gaining experience that it will contribute. Both organizations will collaborate with top technology and equipment suppliers, technical professionals, research teams, and academic institutions.
The filter unit is already being manufactured. Early 2023 is the projected start date for the pilot’s construction, and early 2024 is when operations are expected to start. The pilot will evaluate the scalability and cost-effectiveness of a large-scale tailings filter device for use in international mining operations.
Removing more water from tailings would reduce potential risks associated with moisture in storage facilities, reduce the footprint required by such facilities, and create opportunities to productively re-use tailings, for example, as raw material for glass, construction or agriculture industries.
The additional water recovered from tailings by filtration could be re-used in processing facilities, reducing overall water consumption.
BHP Chief Technical Officer, Laura Tyler, said: “The world will need more critical minerals in the decades to come to support economic development and decarbonisation pathways. It is important that we keep working together across the global mining sector to raise standards and make sure our operations are as safe and sustainable as they can be. Responsible management of tailings and improved water use is a big part of that.”
Rio Tinto Chief Technical Officer, Mark Davies, said: “It is in everyone’s interest that we, as an industry, find safer and more sustainable ways to manage tailings. As two of the leading companies in the sector, we want to bring our combined knowledge and expertise to address this challenge.”
