• Consulting services
• Ore characterization
• Blasting
• Comminution
• Forecasting & modelling
• Flotation
• Dewatering
• Commissioning
• Training
• Products
• Laboratory
• Research and development
• Publications

Optimization of water use

Most current mineral processing technologies rely on wet processing of the ore, creating an association between mining activities and water consumption. While it is true that wet processing of ore will always consume water, it is possible to significantly reduce water consumption by evaluating water reticulation circuits, available water sources and any dewatering equipment in use.

Metso, PTI, Process Technology and Innovation, believes that the process of reducing water consumption starts with a solid understanding of the current water balance, and PTI can provide assistance with the establishment/ estimation of the current plant water balance. From the water balance, opportunities to improve water utilization are identified. Some typical water saving opportunities with which PTI can assist include:

• Identifying exit streams from which additional water can be recovered.
• Identifying possible alternative water sources/alternate uses for discard water streams.
• Assessing the suitability of alternate waters to the metallurgical process.
• Optimizing the performance of existing dewatering equipment (e.g. increasing thickener underflow density).

PTI would then typically calculate a new, estimated water balance for the operation, quantifying likely water savings and highlighting changes to the current water circuit/ dewatering equipment which will be necessary in order to realize these savings.


Evaluation of water quality on solids dispersion and Impact of solids concentration on settling rate.