Technical, technological and environmental aspects of the management of technological waters in mines and concentrators owned by KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

Abstract

Water and Tailing Management System (WTMS) plays a key role in mining and processing technological chain. In general, two separate but dependent systems can be separated: a network of technological waters and tailings. They constitute a system of connected vessels, a perfect example of which is the WTMS owned by KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. and managed by Hydro technical Department (O/ZH). The mining, technological and flotation water transport systems included in the system together with the accompanying facilities and installations cover the area of approx. 15 x 26 km. They combine 3 mines, 3 concentrators (ZWRs), Żelazny Most Tailing Management Facility (TMF) and the Głogów discharge station. This system makes it possible to conduct mining and processing operations by collecting water from mine workings (drainage), supplying concentrators and other installations (filling) with process water, flotation tailing management and discharge of excess water to the environment. The necessity of excess water discharge is associated with a positive balance of the system. This state results from the specific hydrogeological conditions and applied technological solutions, while providing the opportunity to work without the need to extract fresh water from the environment. Working in closed circuit, the technological water network fits in with the principle of the “circular economy”, while meeting the quality requirements of the water both for the sake of issued permits and the flotation process. The global trend in the management of flotation tailings is being observed towards deposition them in thickened form in order to increase the safety of TMF and the best sign in to the BAT requirements. Positive examples obtained in this field by KGHM were possible due to many years of research conducted not only in this direction but also on the reuse of flotation tailings.