Silvercorp Metals Inc (TSX:SVM, AMEX:SVM) has provided more details of its innovative water treatment plant at its SGX project, also known as the Ying project, in China, which was completed in May this year as the company said it continued to pursue "sustainable development initiatives throughout the mining lifecycle".
In November 2020, Silvercorp said it worked with Henan University of Science and Technology (HAUST) to implement an innovative technology to treat water from its underground mines, with an investment of around US$0.5 million.
"The new plant is operated through an automated control system, including a reagent mixing tank, thickening tank, precipitated materials dewatering device, and other more efficient facilities for solid waste material collection and handling," Silvercorp told investors.
READ: Silvercorp Metals striving to create 'green mines'; has developed waste rock treatment plant at Ying district
Prior to the plant upgrade, wastewater from the firm's SGX and HPG mines was treated with a series of precipitation ponds and a manual clean-up.
It was then transported via a 16.5 km pipeline to the central processing mill to be used in ore processing. Now, the treated water pumped through the 16.5 km pipeline is not only used for ore processing, it can now also be used for irrigation via a newly constructed pipeline for local farmers.
"The dewatered solid wastes are shipped to the mill to recover useful metals, further showing Silvercorp's firm commitment to sustainable development practices and the reduction of waste generation," the company said.
Silvercorp is a profitable Canadian mining company producing silver, lead and zinc metals in concentrates from mines in China.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com