Mining in focus
irons or chemical contaminants that you
are trying to remove, such as heavy metals,
they will go and stick on the surface of this
adsorbent so that you end up with water
that is left clean,” says Sikhwivhilu. He also
stressed that for the adsorbents to work, the
technology needs to be extremely good s
o as to avoid any contaminants that reach
the water.
For the mining industry, water treatment
technologies would be ideal in that they
can assist a mine in the safe treatment of
bulk water. This will allow mines to reuse
their treated water in the mine operation.
Reusing mine water will have less impact on
alternative water sources that the mine would
need. With water resources already under
pressure, these water treatment technologies
would be helpful in saving water and the
environment, as water pollution from the
mines can be reduced. Communities close
to mines would also no longer be at risk of
diseases from contaminated water from the
mines. In addition, the communities could
potentially benefit from the treated water
coming from the mines.
Nanotechnology challenges and
industry involvement
Successful implementation of these
technological innovations requires
participation from various stakeholders in the
industry. Mwakikunga points out that the
mining industry needs to take note that the
world is moving into an arena of nanoscale.
Sikhwivhilu notes that the water entity is
working closely with one of the major gold
and PGM mines in South Africa. “We also
have events where technologies are shown
to stakeholders.” Stakeholders include
government officials and interested companies
(including companies outside of mining).
Any new technological innovation is
bound to experience problems during the
initial phases. Sikhwivhilu mentions that
among the challenges is health concerns
from the public about being exposed to any
potential toxic elements of nanotechnology
products. “People worry about those, so
often we have to go out and explain to
the public that not only are we developing
these technologies for use, but we are also
simultaneously looking into the toxicity of
some of the stuff that we make,” he explains.
Sikhwivhilu mentions that the concerns
are warranted because researchers have a
twofold responsibility to ensure that they
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Mining in focus
create innovative solutions for the market
that are safe and reliable. He also highlights
that prior to products being introduced to the
market, all the necessary tests are conducted
to ensure that the product is safe for human
consumption.
Mwakikunga reveals that the reaction from
mine companies regarding the sensors is also
a challenge. The sensors alert employees to the
exposure of harmful gases, which then give
employees control and power when they need
to notify their superiors about unsafe working
conditions. If levels become higher than
accepted limits, then an inspector can request
for work stoppages as stated in section 54 of
the Mine Health and Safety Act.
Although work stoppages save lives,
they also have a negative impact on the
productivity and profitability of the mine
operation — depending on how long
employees stop working. As a result,
Mwakikunga explains that some mining
companies become apprehensive when
researchers approach them with new sensors.
“We’ve seen many fires in the mines
and employees dying. And then in the end
maybe, sometimes the mine has to close
down.” In this regard, it is important for mine
companies to be aware that in addition to
saving lives, the sensors can potentially save a
mine from possible closure.
Where to from here?
Mwakikunga is optimistic about the
direction that nanotechnology is taking. “I
must say that our technologies are slowly
infiltrating the populace and I believe
that there is pressure for us to make more
devices available.” He also commends the
DST and the dti (Department of Trade and
Industry) for the funding contributed for
nanotechnology research.
He recognises the potential for
nanotechnology in future: “Nanotechnology
is propounding to increase the number of
devices, because we can make them small.”
Mwakikunga provided examples of nano
sensors that could be worn as wristwatches
or fit into pocket, unnoticeable. Such devices
would be ideal for mine employees vulnerable
to toxic gases underground.
“One of the biggest things that we’ve
achieved as a country, which I think we can
be proud of, is human capital development.
We are seeing most of the technologies that
we have developed, moving more and more
towards commercialisation,” Sikhwivhilu
concludes.
APRIL 2019 MINING MIRROR [33]
APRIL 2019 MINING MIRROR [33]