Editor's Choice


Helping mining customers achieve balance

January 2025 Editor's Choice

Mining is becoming increasingly relevant in the global economy. It provides the resources necessary for many of the products and services we use every day and will in the future, especially considering the increased focus on the just energy transition and the hydrogen economy.

However, the mining industry also faces several environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges, particularly in relation to water stewardship, water licensing, water quality monitoring and emission monitoring. Fortunately, Endress+Hauser, a leading process instrumentation company, is well positioned to help mining customers achieve their ESG commitments in these areas.

Water stewardship is one of the most pressing challenges facing the mining industry today. Mining operations require significant amounts of water, both for the processing of minerals, and as a key component of the extraction process. However, water is a finite resource, and many mining operations take place in areas where water is already scarce. This can create significant environmental and social challenges, particularly in southern Africa, where water is a critical resource for agriculture and nearby communities.

Endress+Hauser can help mining customers address these challenges through a range of solutions designed to optimise water usage and reduce waste. Its water management solutions enable real-time monitoring and ensure that water is used efficiently, and wastage is minimised, while mine operators remain compliant.

In addition to water stewardship, it is imperative for mining operations to comply with water licensing requirements. With the different regulations and standards in place in different regions, this process can be complex. Endress+Hauser can help customers navigate these requirements through its available solutions designed to monitor and report on water usage, along with other critical measuring points.

Water quality monitoring is also a critical topic for the mining industry. Many mining operations generate wastewater and other effluents that can contain a range of pollutants, including heavy metals, acids and other chemicals. These pollutants can have a significant impact on the environment, contaminating waterways and harming local ecosystems. Endress+Hauser has water quality monitoring solutions that can provide real-time data, ensuring that any pollutants are detected quickly and addressed before they can cause significant harm.

Its world-class Liquiline and Memosens technology is the perfect solution for liquid analysis in various applications, serving as the foundation for our cutting-edge transmitters, analysers and samplers. Liquiline optimises your spare part holding, resulting in considerable cost savings. Furthermore, Liquiline products are expandable, offering full flexibility for the future.

The company has designed measuring panels specifically for monitoring wastewater in the mining, minerals and metals sector. These panels can be installed in a central location that is easily accessible. Additionally, the measuring devices are robust, require minimal maintenance and are durable.

Tailings dams are one of the many significant ESG challenges mining operations face. These structures are used to store the waste products generated by mining operations and can pose a significant risk to the environment if they fail. Endress+Hauser can help mining customers monitor their tailings dams in real time, ensuring that any signs of overflow, high toxicity levels, and other sudden changes are detected quickly and addressed before they can cause serious damage.

In conclusion, by partnering with Endress+Hauser, mining operations can improve their ESG performance and minimise their impact on the environment and on communities, thus contributing to a more sustainable future for all.


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