South African research and development organisation Mintek has positioned water as a strategic priority, with its work in water treatment at the intersection of two defining realities in South Africa: the importance of the mining industry to the country’s economy and the challenges of water scarcity.

Through sustained research and development, the company has focused on creating advanced, locally relevant water treatment technologies that respond directly to the challenges posed by mining, while also contributing to broader national water security.

“Water scarcity in South Africa is not a distant risk, it is a present and intensifying constraint on development, placing increasing pressure on industry to move beyond compliance and actively contribute to water stewardship, recovery and reuse,” says Mintek advanced materials division executive manager Dr Keneiloe Khoabane.

Mining has supported economic development for decades, however, it has also left behind complex water challenges, particularly in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD) and contaminated wastewater streams.

“These waters, often laden with sulphates, heavy metals and acidity, do not remain confined to mine sites, they move through river systems, seep into groundwater and ultimately affect ecosystems, agriculture and communities that depend on these resources for survival.”

The consequences of untreated or poorly managed mine-impacted water are far-reaching in a country that is already classified as water-scarce, where rainfall is uneven and demand continues to rise owing to urbanisation and industrial growth.

Mintek’s technologies are addressing the core problem of mine-impacted water by targeting the removal of sulphates, heavy metals and toxic acidity, transforming polluted effluent into water that can be reused for industrial processes and agricultural purposes, or further treated for wider applications, says Khoabane.

“These innovations are not limited to improving water quality at source, they are designed to enable the recovery and reuse of water, reduce environmental harm and support the mining sector in meeting its social, environmental and governance obligations.”

“Integrated water management is fundamental to sustainable mining. South Africa’s infrastructure planning must prioritise strategic investment in water recycling, desalination and efficient water management systems,” adds Mintek CEO Dr Molefi Motuku.

“These interventions are essential not only to sustain mining and broader economic activity, but to safeguard communities and protect the environment.”

As the sector advances, the integration of digital technologies, supported by robust infrastructure, will further enable smarter, more efficient and more sustainable mining operations.

EXISTING PILOTS

The organisation has been developing and piloting technologies that enable water recycling, reduce dependence on freshwater sources and mitigate the environmental impact of mining.

These include the SAVMIN process, which provides a cost-efficient solution for treating AMD with high concentrations of metals and sulphates. This has already been piloted at scale in Randfontein, demonstrating its ability to treat contaminated water directly at source.

Similarly, the cloSURE process applies biological treatment methods to manage high sulphate and metal content, with successful large-scale piloting at the Emalahleni water reclamation plant where treated water has been used for crop irrigation, illustrating a clear pathway from mining waste to productive use.

Further, the NICMeR low-fouling ultrafiltration membrane technology, which is capable of removing particulates, macromolecules and harmful pollutants, enables water reuse across a range of industrial applications, with further potential in municipal wastewater systems.

While developed to address mine-impacted water, their application extends beyond the boundaries of mining operations, with the transfer of such technologies into community and municipal contexts offering a practical means of supplementing water supply, reducing pressure on existing infrastructure and supporting more resilient local water systems.

This approach aligns with the global imperative captured in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for access to clean water and sanitation for all.

Mintek’s contribution lies in translating this ambition into practical, scalable solutions grounded in South Africa’s realities.

“The organisation’s work demonstrates that water treatment is not only an environmental requirement, but a developmental lever, one that can unlock new value from existing resources while mitigating the long-term impacts of mining.

“Water is not a secondary consideration in mining, it is a central determinant of sustainability, resilience and long-term value. At Mintek, we are advancing solutions that shift water from a constraint to an opportunity, enabling its recovery, reuse and responsible management across the mining value chain,” Motuku concludes.