Veolia concluded a O&M contract with Wheal Jane for its wastewater treatment facilities. The systems included in Veolia’s scope of activities comprise a mine water treatment plant.
The Coal Authority took over the operational responsibility for the treatment plant from the Environment Agency in 2011. Veolia takes over and optimizes existing facilities: the plant is on the site of an abandoned tin mine, and the site is connected to a tailings dam operated by Wheal Jane Ltd.
Up to seven submersible pumps raise water from the existing mine workings to the treatment plant, where the water is treated using a custom-built process that ensures treatment to a quality enabling discharge to an adjacent watercourse. The plant treats in excess of 1.5 million gallons per year at significantly reduced cost and energy consumption.
Thanks to Veolia’s efficient operation and management of the treatment plant, levels of all toxic metals and pollutants in the mine water continue to remain well within consent levels.
A further four pumps were installed down-stream to prevent future flood risk.
Through our partnership with Veolia over the years we have successfully managed mine water levels at Wheal Jane. More recently we called upon Veolia’s technical expertise to assist us when the site experienced the highest rainfall for 248 years. Veolia with our team responded proactively to ensure that the situation remained under control throughout the severe weather conditions and that only clean water was discharged into the Clemow stream.
Jeremy CROOKS – Principal Contracts Manager
Customer benefits:
- 25 % reduction in power consumption for wastewater treatment
- 10% reduction in power consumption for pumping
- Wastewater recycling
- Measures to reduce the environmental footprint
- Energy Recovery
59,090,776 m3 of mine water treated
10,601 tons of metals removed
30% wt/wt sludge density