Metals Treatment and Use of Thiosalt-Laden Water Risk Assessment; Voisey’s Bay; Basic Engineering

Voisey’s Bay Mine Water Treatment Plant and Reclaim Water Source

In addition to performing process engineering for the design of the treatment plant, a qualitative risk assessment of using reclaim water for underground mine service water was carried out.

Reclaim water contains thiosalts generated during the milling process, which can generate hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and therefore poses a threat to underground air quality in addition to causing corrosion and/or scaling of the underground equipment.

The reclaim water is treated for release to the environment but still contains similar levels of thiosalts.

A risk assessment workshop showed that the risks of using reclaim water were unacceptable and an alternative source for underground service water was found.

Location: Voisey’s Bay, Newfoundland