IT in Manufacturing


Let’s talk about acid mine drainage

October 2024 IT in Manufacturing

A recent report – ‘Remediation Potential of Mining, Agro-Industrial and Urban Wastes Against Acid Mine Drainage’ – highlights the impact of sulphide minerals, a geological byproduct of mining, on the environment. It states that when mixed with oxidising and rainfall conditions they lead to the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD), which is commonly associated with serious environmental problems worldwide. “Acid mine drainage is problematic because of its scale, both in space and time, as it can affect both mining areas and their surroundings over many kilometres for decades or centuries,” notes the report.


Peter Marumong, cluster WWW segment leader at Schneider Electric.

The mining sector inadvertently contributes to AMD. The processes involved in mining, such as drilling, blasting and the use of chemicals for mineral extraction, expose sulphide minerals to the environment. Once exposed, these minerals undergo oxidation reactions, producing sulphuric acid. This acid leaches into the groundwater, contaminating it with dissolved metals like iron, aluminium and manganese.

The impact of AMD is far reaching. Apart from environmental degradation, it also poses a significant risk to human health. Heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, often present in AMD, are toxic and can lead to severe health issues. The cleanup of ADM is also extremely costly.

Like other water and wastewater (WWW) operations, AMD requires effective management to mitigate its impact. For one, contaminated water needs to be treated to neutralise acidity and remove harmful contaminants before releasing it back into the environment. A complex water treatment plant therefore plays a critical role in managing AMD. These plants are designed to treat contaminated water from mining operations, removing impurities and adjusting the pH to safe levels. For example, the eMalahleni Water Reclamation Plant commissioned in 2010, produces drinking water, with its feedwater coming from four coal mines in the area.

Operational efficiency

From a technological point of view, AMD plants must be managed by advanced management systems that allow for automation, monitoring and control – all vital cogs in ensuring plants run optimally. These include:

Industrial automation and control systems: PLCs offer precise control and automation of treatment processes. These systems ensure timely and accurate adjustments in response to varying water quality conditions.

Advanced instrumentation for monitoring water quality, flow rates and chemical composition: There are several advanced instrumentation solutions available that enable real-time monitoring and control, ensuring the effective treatment of contaminated water.

IoT-enabled platforms: These integrate connected products, edge control, applications, analytics and services. They facilitate remote monitoring and management of treatment plants, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Reverse osmosis systems: These are ideal for areas requiring high-quality water purification. They remove dissolved salts and contaminants, producing water that meets stringent drinking standards.

Treated water can also be a valuable commodity. Mining companies have the opportunity to purify AMD to potable standards and sell it to municipalities, therefore contributing to local water supplies and generating additional revenue.

AMD is a global challenge, which is why it requires a concerted effort from all parties concerned. Companies such as Schneider Electric can undoubtedly improve AMD management, providing comprehensive automation and control systems to optimise operations.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Buildings in Africa’s urban evolution
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Africa is now an urban continent. How does the continent mobilise to accommodate urban dwellers and maintain and implement critical infrastructure that allows for this expansion? Building management systems provide a tangible solution to optimise resource use, lower operations costs and ultimately contribute to a growing continent that also employs green practices.

Read more...
Black Rock Mining centralises mining operations with AVEVA
IT in Manufacturing
Black Rock Mine Operations replaced and upgraded its existing infrastructure, and installed additional capacity to expand production from 3 to 4,6 million tons in three years. The new system is powered by a suite of AVEVA solutions.

Read more...
The strategic role of technology in today’s economy
IT in Manufacturing
In an era of economic uncertainty and persistent market volatility, businesses are under immense pressure to manage costs while maintaining operational effectiveness. The role of chief information officers and chief technology officers has never been more critical, as they are tasked with leveraging technology not just as a tool for efficiency but as a strategic asset in navigating these turbulent times.

Read more...
Minutes to meltdown: surviving a cyber attack
IT in Manufacturing
Commvault recently hosted its Minutes to Meltdown event. Led by the company’s security experts, this was an interactive and detailed ransomware attack simulation designed to help companies understand how to respond in the event of a cyber attack.

Read more...
Siemens elevates automotive and aerospace simulation
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced the latest update to its Simcenter portfolio, delivering advancements in aerostructure analysis, electric motor design, gear optimisation and smart virtual sensing. These enhancements are designed to streamline workflows, accelerate certification and provide deeper insights into system performance.

Read more...
Automation in 2025: Navigating manufacturing innovation without the risk
IT in Manufacturing
During 2025, a wave of innovative technologies is expected to disrupt and change the way IT is applied to automation systems. The challenge lies in balancing the reliability of proven techniques with the potential of new technologies, all while minimising and controlling risk. This article explores ways to approach the latest information technologies effectively in a manufacturing context.

Read more...
South Africa’s AI revolution is here – but are we secure?
IT in Manufacturing
South African businesses are sprinting to embrace generative AI, lured by its potential to drive efficiency, productivity and innovation. But here’s the stark reality: without a rock-solid cybersecurity foundation, AI will become a Trojan horse, opening the floodgates to sophisticated cyber threats.

Read more...
Compact, high density power protection system for AI, data centre and large-scale electrical workloads
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its new Galaxy VXL – a highly efficient, compact, modular, scalable and redundant 500-1250 kW (400 V) 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS), complete with enhanced cybersecurity, software and safety features.

Read more...
Duct and plant room air quality (PRAQ) sensors
Schneider Electric South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Schneider Electric South Africa offers a comprehensive range of SpaceLogic duct and plant room air quality sensors. These cutting-edge sensors are designed to enhance building air quality and energy efficiency by combining multiple sensing capabilities into a single unit.

Read more...
The sensory reaction of the BMS
Schneider Electric South Africa Sensors & Transducers
Today’s building management systems cannot function properly without sensors. Like our senses, they are an integral part of operations that run silently in the background, almost taken for granted.

Read more...