All mines and mining processes require water to operate effectively. As many mining activities occur in water stressed areas in South Africa, it is vitally important to monitor and record water quantities and water quality continuously.
Monitoring the quantity of water used and discharged by a mine is mandatory. This includes recording rainfall, potable water and raw water, as well as ground water pumped from mining activities. The methods used can vary, but the most commonly used measurement technologies are electromagnetic flowmeters and ultrasonic clamp-on flowmeters, as well as ultrasonic level sensors set up for open channel flow measurement at flumes or weir plates in the channels. These measurements are then used to achieve a water balance which, according to guidelines, must be 5-10% per area, while for the mine overall an accuracy of 10-15% is acceptable. However, taking into effect the accumulation of these inaccuracies throughout a mine, the largest part of which is derived from the portions calculated, it is important that each flow measurement is as accurate as possible. Endress+Hauser’s magnetic flowmeters typically have a maximum measurement error of ±0,5% as standard and ±0,2% optional.
In order to assess the impact of mining activities on the environment surrounding the mine, monitoring the water quality of surface and ground water is compulsory. Ground water monitoring includes the monitoring of boreholes, springs and wells on the mine property as well as the surrounding area. Typical parameters that are required to be monitored at ground water sources, and that can be measured online, are temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and alkalinity.
Surface water monitoring shows the impact of mining on the environment. The area that must be covered is dictated by the water use licence issued by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The basic physical measurements are once again temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and alkalinity, and they usually include flow measurement as well.
Since sampling, transport methods and time can cause changes in some parameters, it is advisable to use online measurement instrumentation to measure and record the parameters at the various sample points. Endress+Hauser’s multi-channel, multi-parameter CM44x is ideal for use in a remote water quality measurement panel. These solutions can be designed and assembled at the factory and shipped as a complete unit to simplify installation and commissioning on site. The sites are more often than not distributed over a vast area and therefore changes in critical quality measurements, especially at the effluent outflow, will only be picked up at the next scheduled sampling; meanwhile high volumes of polluting water could have been released into the environment.
It is becoming more and more critical to have water balance and water quality values readily available. To complement its complete basket of measurement instrumentation, Endress+Hauser can supply a complete measurement and monitoring solution. By adding the FXA42 gateway to the measurement panel solution, all the data can be available remotely. It supports communication interfaces like WLAN and 3G as well as Modbus. With its integrated web server technology, it can easily be configured online and measured values can be visualised online. The FXA42 also offers data logging and alarm management functions.
To monitor these values remotely, Endress+Hauser has a monitoring solution that can be customised to the customer’s dashboard requirements. The Liquimon As Dashboard is ideal for customised data visualisation, data evaluation and reporting. This can include data for instrumentation status and predictive maintenance that is available through Heartbeat technology and Memosense. This can provide the customer with a complete mine water management and monitoring solution.
For more information contact Hennie Pretorius, Endress+Hauser, +27 (0)11 262 8000, hennie.pretorius@za.endress.com, www.za.endress.com
| Tel: | +27 11 262 8000 |
| Email: | info.za.sc@endress.com |
| www: | www.endress.com |
| Articles: | More information and articles about Endress+Hauser South Africa |
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