Development of an annamox process for mining effluents

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The development of partial nitrification (PN)/Anammox-based technology with ozonation as a pre-treatment is the main objective for this two-year project proposal for a NSERC Alliance Mission grant. The process uses a special BioCAST bioreactor that is a potentially viable ammonia nitrogen removal from gold mine wastewater in Quebec due to significantly lower costs, energy consumption and solid waste generation. High levels of contamination with nitrogen and other components and high salinity are particularly problematic for mining companies. The main objectives are to: (1) investigate the potential application of PN/Anammox process for simultaneous removal of nitrogen-based contaminants from gold mine, (2) evaluate pre-treatment using ozone microbubbles, (3) train highly qualified personnel (HQP) in mine water management and (4) strengthen the collaboration between the mining and water industries and academia to enable adoption of the nitrogen removal processes. The project is a collaboration between Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Concordia, UQAT and BioCAST Systems for the training of HQP (undergraduate, Masters, and post-doctoral levels) for future employment in the mining industry. The project includes the following phases at pilot scale: (i) Characterization of the wastewater effluents; (ii) evaluation of an ozonation pre-treatment with microbubbles; (iii) evaluation an PN/Anammox-based treatment system; (iv) evaluation of a combined pretreatment with the biological treatment system dentification of important factors influencing the performance and operation of the developed treatment system, and (v) technical, environmental, social and economic assessment of this process train for its incorporating into the company existing wastewater treatment at active gold mine sites. The water treatment systems will enable the mining companies to reduce operating costs as well as energy and sludge requirements, improve the potential for water reuse, protect the environment and enable the improvement of their environmental practices and their public image. These research orientations will contribute and foster an integrated approach for understanding the water-energy nexus in Canada and internationally.