ZERO BRINE promises new recovery opportunities for mining

Coal production remains an important sector in many countries. Eleven European Union (EU) member states produce coal while more than half of EU countries use coal, among other fuels, as a source of energy. A circular economy solution that solves the disposal issue, protects water quality, and recovers water, salt, magnesium, and other minerals using low energy could transform the mining sector.

In Poland, only one industrial-scale desalin-ation plant recovers salt from coal mine water – but multiple disadvantages limit its uses. Located in Czerwionka-Leszczyny, the plant produces approximately 70,000 tonnes per year of salt from coal mine water originating from one operational and an inactive mine without using chemical treatment. The low-salinity coal mine water is...

Saline wastewater treatment is a challenge shared by many industrial operations in addition to coal mines. Currently, 18 hard coal mines are operating in Poland. The application of ZERO BRINE technology could enable mining companies to transform their environmental problems into a profit source.

The pilot plant in the Bolesław Smiały coal mine in Śaziska Górne, Poland, was constructed to test the following technologies: pretreatment system, ultrafiltration, decarbonization, two-pass nanofiltration, RO, and electrodialysis.

Initial results from desalination experiments conducted in the pilot plant since July 2019 have been promising. Although some modifications were required in the pretreatment and decarbonization unit, it was confirmed that nanofiltration can split the coal mine wastewater into sodium-chloride rich stream suitable for further concentration and the magnesium-rich stream suitable for magnesium...

Circular processes in industry are essential to develop a sustainable, low-carbon, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. Recovering resources from wastewater, in effect, helps preserve resources and improve security of supply.