Mine Water Treatment Best Achievable Technology Study

project overview

Integrated Sustainability completed a best achievable technology assessment to evaluate water treatment options for contact water containing elevated selenium and nitrate. The process followed provincial guidance and applied feasibility, reliability, control-effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness screening to over a dozen technologies. The evaluation led to the selection of a biologically based treatment process with strong performance across long-term treatment goals.

project deliverables

• Reviewed historical water chemistry data, modeled flow conditions, and site performance targets to define contaminant reduction requirements.
• Screened more than 20 selenium and nitrate treatment technologies using provincial feasibility assessment criteria.
• Shortlisted 6 viable treatment options and evaluated them based on reliability, cost, and treatment control effectiveness.
• Ranked biological treatment systems highest due to treatment consistency, reduced footprint requirements, and adaptability to site-specific conditions.
• Recommended a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) system based on overall scoring performance and alignment with ongoing pilot-scale testing.
• Prepared a comprehensive technology comparison matrix and scoring rationale to support regulatory review and decision-making.