Diversified mining company South32 has opened a seawater desalination plant at its Hillside aluminium smelter, in Richards Bay, to mitigate the effects of the drought experienced in KwaZulu-Natal in the last few years.
The R74-million desalination plant will allow South32 to maintain operations during a time of drought, which has resulted in the implementation of stringent water restrictions.
Desalination has been identified as the preferred alternative, as it will not only supply adequate water to ensure operations are maintained, but also supplement municipal water supply in times of critical shortage, South32 Africa president Mike Fraser said in a release to Creamer Media’s Mining Weekly.
Construction of the province’s first desalination plant began in April, following approval from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.