Helping mining operators with compliant waste management

South Africa is a leader in the global mining industry, and produces a number of dangerous waste by-products which mining operators must ensure are safely and responsibly disposed of.

 As a waste industry leader, EnviroServ Waste Management offers a multitude of solutions for complex hazardous and non-hazardous mining waste.

Jason Judkins, EnviroServ Regional Sales Manager, said the company had made innovative strides in assisting mining clients in finding alternatives and minimising waste to landfill through searching the markets to see what opportunities exist.  “Our focus is to ensure compliance at all times,” Judkins said.

Mines produce large quantities of primary waste such as process tailings, slimes and over burden. EnviroServ has a specialised tailings division with vast experience within the industry, capable of managing these waste streams for large clients.

Waste is brought up from underground by locos or conveyor belts and separated into three categories - industrial, general and hazardous waste - by EnviroServ’s well-trained on-site teams.

“Industrial waste is first checked for items that can be re-used or repaired and put back into the system, such as gearboxes, jackpots and hammers, which may have accidentally been sent to the surface, but which can be re-used or repaired.”  High value items to be auctioned such as motors, electrical cable or steel are transported to the client’s central salvage yard, separated into ferrous and non-ferrous metals and sold to recyclers,” Judkins said.

General waste is sorted into paper, plastic, glass, tin and any other recyclable categories which is also sold to recyclers, minimising waste to landfill.

“Managing hazardous waste is our speciality and we have various departments specialising in hazardous waste management solutions.  EnviroServ has SANAS-accredited laboratories where waste samples are analysed and classified, according to the prevailing legislative requirements. Results received allows us to determine best practise should it be re-use, recycling or disposal, but remaining in line with legislation and assuring clients of best practise and peace of mind that their waste has been managed “cradle to grave.”

Judkins said while hazardous waste is increasingly being diverted from landfill for alternative solutions – including hydrocarbon waste, high hazardous chemical solutions to name a few - it can be costly to recycle these materials, due to the limited compliant recyclers and solutions in the South African market. Searching for innovative, cheaper alternatives to divert waste from landfill is an ongoing process.

Some mining companies are starting to take on responsibility of sewage management from communities around their operations, and EnviroServ is assisting with these requirements. “Legacy waste is another issue EnviroServ helps with. Stockpiles are not healthy sitting on the land and must be rehabilitated.

“Proper management of mining waste prevents or minimises water and soil pollution arising from acid or alkaline drainage and the leaching of heavy metals, thereby protecting the environment for generations to come.”