 Environmental solutions company Procon Environmental Technologies has secured a number of projects in the mining industry that the company considers key to building the future of its Ultraspin hydro- cyclone technology in Southern Africa.
The technology works on the principle of centrifugal forces that separate the water from the oil. Procon environmental engineer Jacques Steyn reports that the contaminated water is fed into the system through a floating, self-adjusting weir-type skimmer, which, when initiated automatically, spins in a motion similar to that of a whirlpool but at a force 1 000 times greater than gravity. The water is ejected in one direction and the oil is ejected in the opposite direction.
This technology is imported from Australia by Procon, which is the sole Southern African agent.
Steyn reports that, in South Africa, the company has secured orders from mining majors such as BHP Billiton, Exxaro, Xstrata, Anglo Coal and Anglo Platinum, and De Beers.
Steyn reports that the newly acquired projects are mainly based on the results that the company has achieved on other projects in the industry.
In 2007, Procon Environmental Technologies was contracted to do a turnkey project for Anglo Coal’s New Vaal colliery that included the civil design, a stormwater runoff, silt hand- ling and oil separation system installation. The company installed a 15-m3/h system along with a double silt trap to remove the polluted silt, treating the water. In addition, it also provided a sludge drying bay and a silt remediation slab for onsite treatment, thus reducing disposal costs of hydrocarbon polluted sludge.
Although the technology has been available on the local market for about nine years, Procon MD Andy Miller reports that companies are starting to show significant interest.
“In the past, there was no significant pressure to conform to international environmental best practice. However, because of increased pressure from government and nonprofit environmental groups, green mining has taken centre stage,” says Miller.
He adds that the technology is designed in Australia by specialist engineering company Ultraspin, which only focuses on oily water treatment. A portion of the research and development of the technology is funded by the Australian government.
Miller reports that Procon sells the technology either as standard modules or engineered systems, which includes modifications added to the system to suit the project’s specific requirements. He adds that the company also offers service contracts to clients to ensure the systems are maintained and running effectively.
Miller says that the technology suits the African continent, as it is water-scarce. Procon has already secured orders for mining com- panies in Angola, Lesotho, Swaziland, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
Addressing the inaugural Mine-Tech Inter- national mining conference, held in Johannes- burg last week, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom stressed the need for South Africans to conserve water.
“South Africa is one of many water-scarce countries. For us, the efficient use of water resources is critical. The output of our industries is at stake, but so, too, and more importantly, is the essential sustenance of biological life. Research into technologies that can reduce the use of water and facilitate the recovery and recycling of water will benefit our country enormously,” said Hannekom.
|
|
