A computer model of circulating service water in South African gold mines

Abstract

Since there is a general shortage of water on the South African goldfields, the re-use and recycling of water in mines is necessary. Water quality deteriorates with recycling and the reasons and extent of deterioration were researched. A large proportion of the inorganic salts appearing in solution in the water appear to originate from the ore. High sulphate concentrations in particular are noticed in the water after a few cycles. The water becomes unusable unless replaced or purified after a few days. Laboratory and field leaching tests were performed to determine the factors affecting the deterioration in water quality. The data was used in a computer simulation model to predict water quality at any time throughout a typical water distribution system underground. The computer model can be used to optimize the re-use of water and predict effects of different management policies.