WC143 JulyAug 2025 - Magazine - Page 38
H2OPINION
Reimagining Water Management
Collaborative solutions for sustainable mining BY MICHELLE FRASER
NNOVATION IN MINING cannot happen in isolation. As the industry faces mounting challenges–from
resource scarcity to environmental concerns and shifting
global regulations and politics–the need for collaboration has never been more critical. The complex nature of
today’s challenges demands fresh thinking, diverse expertise,
and shared responsibility. When mining companies, technology innovators, environmental scientists, and policy makers
join forces, they can unlock groundbreaking solutions that
are efficient and sustainable in the long term. The question is
no longer whether industries should collaborate. Rather, it is
I
“Theminingindustryneedslong-termsustainable
solutions for water treatment, particularly around
reclamation and closure.”
how fast they can align to secure mining’s future. Let’s examine how collaboration in mining is leading to innovative and
sustainable solutions with respect to water.
1. Nature-based solutions in water treatment
The mining industry needs long-term sustainable solutions for
water treatment, particularly around reclamation and closure.
Nature-based solutions leverage the positive benefits of natural
systems in conjunction with traditional engineering methods
to achieve the end goal for water management and deliver nature-positive benefits. Constructed wetlands, for example, are
specifically designed to filter stormwater and treat wastewater
while also mimicking naturally occurring wetlands to provide
habitat for wildlife. Originally used in urban wastewater treatment, they are now proving effective in treating mine effluent.
Sustainable low-maintenance solutions for water treatment have become integral to mine closure, as management
of wastewater in perpetuity is impractical and costly. Nature-based solutions, by design, require less maintenance,
power and resources over time. Unlike traditional mechanical
treatment plants, they don’t rely on electricity, chemicals,
or extensive hard infrastructure. What’s more, these systems function autonomously, reducing the need for on-site
management and the cost of long-term maintenance.
Michelle Fraser is a Senior Hydrogeologist
and Canadian Water Resources Technical
Discipline Leader at Stantec.
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Nature-based solutions require input from multiple disciplines for design and implementation, including hydrologists,
water quality specialists, biologists, risk assessors, and engineers.
Nature-based solutions are most effective when integrated
with a mine’s overall strategy rather than as an afterthought.
Retrofitting mine infrastructure to accommodate nature-based
solutions is far more expensive and technically challenging than
designing for sustainable water management from the outset.
Mining operators today have an opportunity to rethink
their approach to water management—not just for the lifespan of the mine, but for the environment they leave behind.
2. A holistic approach to mine planning
Historically, mine planning has involved the mine engineers and mainly focused on technical and economic factors
such as short-haul distances to reduce time and fuel costs.
Environmental considerations came into play later at
the permitting and approvals stages of mine planning. A
holistic approach to mine planning with considerations for
environmental effects early in the planning stages allows us
to optimize the environmental footprint and legacy of the
mine. For example, placing waste rock piles near the open
pit is economically favourable for time and fuel costs but it
can also have environmental benefits. Positioning these rock
piles within the groundwater capture zone of the open pit or
pit lake leverages natural groundwater flow patterns to either
capture the seepage through open pit dewatering where the
seepage is subsequently treated, or direct the seepage to a pit
lake, which often has a higher assimilative capacity than the
surrounding environment.
Forward-thinking design supports the effective management of seepage and sustainable closure planning, while
reducing environmental risks in closure. By considering these
factors in the planning stages of mine life in collaboration
with hydrogeologists and hydrologists, mining operations
can proactively mitigate potential impacts and optimize site
rehabilitation efforts.
Knowledge sharing accelerates innovation, leading to more
efficient and cost-effective solutions. Collaborative efforts
across disciplines are driving solutions that integrate advanced
water treatment methods, such as nature-based systems and
forward-thinking mine planning strategies so that solutions
remain viable for generations. The future of mining is not
just about extracting resources—it’s about shaping landscapes, communities, and ecosystems in a way that reflects
shared responsibility and sustainability.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
