Magnesite Ore Washing Facilities’ Wastewater Treatment and Recovered Water Reuse

Abstract

Grecian Magnesite S.A., located in Gerakini, Chalkidiki, N. Greece, is a magnesite mining company, which produces and commercializes several Mg-based products. For production purposes, water is applied in large quantities for several uses. As a result, 5 × 106–7 × 106 m3 of wastewater, consisting mainly of muddy water, is produced from the magnesite ore washing facilities each year. In this study, the environmental impact of mining and industrial activities is examined, and the water management issues are addressed through its recovery. Water recovery reaches up to 96% (v/v), whereas the remaining sludge waste is safely deposited in tailings ponds.

Keywords

• mine wastewater treatment
• water reuse
• Gerakini mining area
• magnesite mine