Namibian tin miner, Andrada Mining exceeded its permitted water usage limit by more than 37,000m3 in the 2024 financial year, with operational water withdrawals increasing by 51% from 123,922m3 in FY2023 to 187,603m3.
According to the miner’s sustainability report, the company, however, improved withdrawal intensity by 5% from 0.22m3 in FY2023 to 0.21m3 per tonne of ore processed in FY2024.
“This exceedance of our permit is not acceptable to us, and we have identified a number of short- and long-term actions to take to rectify the situation and reduce the amount of water we withdraw from the environment,” says the miner.
The company has also reported that all water withdrawn during FY2024 was from ground water, with no water sourced from the historic pit or from dewatering of our operational pit.
“In line with the requirements of our water abstraction permit, we report our abstraction quarterly to the relevant Namibian competent authority.
“As part of Andrada Mining’s 5-year expansion strategy for the Uis Mine, we are collaborating with NamWater to explore the feasibility of a desalination bulk water supply solution. This initiative aims to provide a holistic water infrastructure framework, supporting not only the Uis operational growth but also new third-party projects in the Uis and broader Erongo region,” the company said, further highlighting short-term measures to mitigate the situation.
MITIGATION
Short-term measures include increased focus on recycling by the installation of additional filter presses at the plant to increase the volume of water that can be recycled, better measurement and monitoring by working to improve overall flow monitoring and installing additional flow meters across the site, as well as employee sensitisation and maintenance.
“In a desert environment such as Namibia, it is critical that we do not waste water. Unfortunately, some maintenance activities involving our pipes and boreholes were not undertaken promptly, resulting in leaks of water back into the environment. As a result, we have focused on maintenance and encouraging our people to report any identified leaks promptly and to ensure all taps are closed.
“We are working on the development of a water management plan and operating strategy to ensure operational controls are enhanced across the whole site,” expressed Andrada.
Additionally, Andrada notes that it is looking to install a filter press to increase return water from the process plant and therefore reduce the water demand for the plant. This will be furthered by the installation of continuous water level loggers and enhanced flow metering systems connected to the site’s electronic processing plant to ensure continuous monitoring of the wellfield and water balance.
The company is also considering on-site inking up and commissioning of regional borehole networks to the operations and permitting, as such, expanding the current wellfield and sourcing additional water to ensure our borehole network is managed and provides sufficient recovery at site, conducting an independent water audit, and enhancing our water management plan and operating strategy to ensure operational controls are enhanced across the whole site.
COMPLIANCE
According to Andrada’s 2024 sustainability report, during 2023, the company exceeded the permitted water abstraction limits due to operational expansion, including a 67% increase in tin concentrate production, increased mining activities, the construction of a tantalum separation circuit, and the construction of Namibia’s inaugural lithium pilot facility, a state-of-the-art bulk sample processing facility.
Other reasons for the exceedance are linked to maintenance issues, which have caused some leaks through the system.
“Prior to exceeding the permitted limits, Andrada Mining notified the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform via letter in November 2023, predicting over-abstraction volumes and outlining mitigation measures. The mitigation measures included both short- and long-term solutions. We have engaged with the Ministry on various fronts regarding this matter, and our in-country specialists have guided our engagements.
“We submit monthly water returns to the Ministry, and our consultants have also engaged with them post-submission. A follow-up engagement and letter were sent to the Ministry to address the situation. The Ministry acknowledged the notice and has requested that the company re-submit an application based on the new operational requirements. We are working closely with the Ministry to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and to implement the necessary measures to manage our water usage effectively,” explained the miner.