Lay of the waterland

Many Latin American countries are facing a scarcity of water, which influences infrastructure decisions and necessitates a focus on resource optimization and reuse, particularly in water-intensive sectors like mining. The economic development in these regions has been significantly affected by water challenges, prompting the industry to adopt advanced technologies for maximizing water recovery. This paper highlights the use of sulfide precipitation and ion exchange water treatment processes that enable the recovery of over 99 percent of water for onsite reuse. As Latin America emerges as a leader in new mine development, with 50 out of 172 globally planned mines located there, the pressing need for sustainable water treatment becomes evident. Desalination using membrane technology is explored as a potential solution to alleviate water shortages, though it comes with significant infrastructure costs. The study discusses various metallic recovery methods that can enhance water stream compliance with strict quality criteria, thereby supporting the burgeoning mining industry while minimizing environmental liabilities. As mining operations in South America grow, they must balance infrastructure challenges with innovative strategies to secure sustainable water supplies.