Mining Water Reuse: Practical Solutions For Operational Certainty

Across Australia and New Zealand, mining operations are reassessing how water is managed on site. Increasing pressure on freshwater availability, tighter environmental controls and more variable climatic conditions are driving a shift toward more deliberate and disciplined water reuse strategies. For many sites, this is no longer a future objective but a present operational requirement.

“As Australia’s largest sustainable water technology provider, Hydroflux delivers locally engineered treatment systems designed to suit Australian conditions. By designing and building systems locally, Hydroflux reduces construction risk, removes uncertainty through proven performance, and provides fully integrated, end-to-end turnkey solutions supported across the full asset life cycle. With local offices and project references across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, clients benefit from regional knowledge and long-term support,” Says Andrew Miley, Director for Hydroflux Industrial.

Well-designed water reuse systems provide mining operations with greater control over site water balance. By recovering and reusing water from sources such as thickeners overflow and tailings storage facilities (TSF), sites can reduce dependence on bores and surface water and maintain continuity during dry or constrained periods. Recycled water is commonly reused for process circuits, cooling, washdown and dust suppression, improving overall water security without compromising plant performance.

Mine water chemistry is rarely straightforward. Dissolved salts, metals, hydrocarbons, nutrients and residual reagents can all be present. It is essential the correct treatment processes be employed and water treated to its required purpose. If not properly managed, reused water can increase fouling, scaling, adversely impact downstream processes and maintenance across the plant. Effective reuse therefore depends on treatment systems that are selected and engineered with a clear understanding of site chemistry, operating conditions and long-term reliability requirements.

Hydroflux specialises in the design and delivery of mine water treatment and reuse systems that perform consistently under demanding conditions. Our solutions integrate robust process selection, advanced automation and remote monitoring to minimise operator intervention and maintain stable water quality, even at remote or highly variable sites. Technologies including clarification, filtration, membranes and ion exchange are applied as required to meet site-specific reuse and compliance objectives.

Hydroflux is also Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral water technology provider. Selecting Hydroflux equipment allows clients to exclude Hydroflux-related emissions from their carbon inventory, supporting emissions reduction objectives without additional cost or operational complexity. This approach aligns sustainability outcomes with practical engineering delivery.

The Hydroflux group also includes a dedicated sustainability and advisory capability, supporting clients with carbon accounting, ESG reporting, water stewardship and climate-related strategy where required. This ensures water treatment infrastructure supports both operational performance and broader project objectives.

With proven delivery across major mining regions and local teams throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Hydroflux provides dependable water reuse solutions that reduce risk, improve resilience and deliver long-term value. As water availability and regulatory expectations continue to tighten, high-reliability water reuse is becoming a core requirement for efficient mining operations.

About The Hydroflux Group
The Hydroflux Group aims to deliver the highest level of engineering and scientific know-how to the emerging issues of sustainability, climate adaptation and environmental protection with a specific focus on water and wastewater.

As part of its vision and mission, Hydroflux has always taken its climate responsibility seriously. In 2022, Hydroflux became Australia’s first water treatment and technology company to achieve Climate Active carbon neutral certification for its organisation and products. It knows that partnering with customers and clients is the most significant impact it can have in its journey. The Group employs over 100 staff and operates throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, with office locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Suva and Portsmouth.

For more information, visit www.hydrofluxindustrial.au.