Wastewater Reuse in Open Pit Coal Mines

Re-usability of wastewater from open pit coal mines and surface flows is discussed with regard to the adopted water circulation cycles. The analysis of process flow charts of open pit coal mining and water use made it possible to identify the main trends of wastewater application and volume reduction. A flowsheet of integrated treatment and distribution of wastewater in open pit mines is developed. It is shown that efficient management of intramine water consumption and expansion of cooperation with wastewater consumers can allow high-rate recycling of industrial wastewater. The proposed activities can help reduce environmental pressure in coal mining areas, and decrease amount of wastewater which need advanced treatment down to maximum allowable concentration of harmful agents in fishery water bodies.