CONSTRUCTION group Aveng plans to play a key role in offering solutions to the problem of toxic mining water, which is posing a threat to the environment in SA. In an interview with Business Day yesterday, after releasing the group’s year-end results, CEO Roger Jardine said the group was refining its water strategy and expertise in acid mine drainage to offer solutions to SA and the rest of Africa. He said Aveng, which operates in 28 countries and employs 35000 people, was working on new technology called the higher precipitation recovery osmosis process , which has a proven water recovery rate of 98%, compared with a global benchmark of 85%. The group’s division, Engineering & Projects Company, commissioned three water treatment plants during the financial year.

In April, the group completed the largest desalination plant in sub-Saharan Africa, the Trekkopje d esalination plant in Namibia, which has a capacity to treat 20-million cubic metres of water a year and can meet nearly 60% of the projected water demand of the coastal region. Aveng also completed Optimum Coal’s water reclamation plant in Middelburg, which has an average flow of 15Ml of water a day. Keyplan, the water treatment specialist unit of Engineering & Projects, operates and maintains the Trekkopje desalination plant, as well as the Optimum Coal and Anglo Coal-BHP Billiton treatment plants.

Mr Jardine said having secured an acid mine drainage project in Australia, the group continued to focus on extending its expertise and leadership position in acid mine drainage, water treatment and desalination projects. “Our approach is to focus on private mining clients and engage the public sector once (acid mine drainage) comes into the market. We want to participate in finding solutions to acidic mine water treatment,” he said. The government still does not have a comprehensive strategy to deal with toxic mining water, months after describing the situation as urgent and a serious threat to the environment. Treatment subsidised by the state had so far been inadequate, said Mariette Liefferink, CEO of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, which campaigns for an effective water treatment.

Acid mine drainage, widely regarded as one of SA’s most serious pollution problems, is highly acidic and contains high levels of sulphates and heavy metals. Treatment is costly, and pumping this water is expensive for mining companies. Mr Jardine said the group had prioritised the development of water treatment solutions.

Business Day
Thabang Mokopanele