Cornish Metals Inc. has commissioned and officially opened the water treatment plant in readiness for the start of dewatering the South Crofty tin mine.
RED RIVER
A high density sludge bed has built up within the plant and discharge of treated water from the mine into Red River will begin the week beginning 30 October at a rate of up to 25,000m3/day.
The Canadian company will take up to 18 months to pump raw mine water from a depth of 360 metres in New Cook’s Kitchen shaft to the water treatment plant.
Cornish Metals said that the treated water met the company’s permitted standards set by the Environment Agency for discharge into the Red River.
“Dewatering the mine and treating the water will have a positive effect on water quality in the Red River, which currently receives untreated mine water as a legacy of past mining activities.”
The water discharge from South Crofty also powers a hydro-turbine that generates up to 15% of the power consumed by the water tretament plant.
The company is exploring other renewable heat opportunities for the treated water temperature, which is a steady 25 degrees all year with the potential to heat at least 800 homes in the area.
“The start of dewatering of the South Crofty mine is an important milestone for the continued advancement of the Project towards an investment decision,” added chief executive officer Richard Williams.
“Teams from Cornish Metals, our suppliers and dedicated local contractors have worked extremely hard over the last year to get to this point.
“Planning and preparation are underway for the re-accessing of the mine, which will take place in parallel with mine dewatering.”