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Mining Wastewater

Turning Mining Wastewater into a Manageable Asset

Mining operations, whether open-pit, underground, or processing through tailings facilities, often generate substantial volumes of wastewater, seepage water, or tailings-pond discharge. These waters can contain heavy metals (like copper, nickel, selenium), nitrates, sulfates, and other contaminants that pose serious environmental, regulatory, and reputational risks if discharged untreated.

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With increasing regulatory scrutiny and the need for long-term environmental stewardship, mining companies need robust, scalable, and reliable wastewater remediation solutions.

 

That’s where GRAFTA™ comes in: a next-generation graphene-based nanotechnology solution designed to tackle even the most challenging mining-related water contaminants.

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Why GRAFTA™ Is Particularly Suited for Mining Applications

  • High Affinity for Heavy Metals and Mining-Related Contaminants: GRAFTA™ has been engineered to target a wide range of metals commonly found in mining wastewaters (e.g. copper, nickel, selenium), as well as other problematic constituents.

  • Exceptional Adsorption Capacity & Near-Zero Leaching: The high surface area and engineered bonding characteristics of graphene-based adsorbents allows GRAFTA™  to securely bind contaminants, minimizing the risk of re-release or leaching. 

  • Passive, Low-Maintenance Operation: Ideal for Remote or Service-Limited Sites - Many mining operations are located in remote or challenging environments. GRAFTA™ is a passive technology that does not rely on complex infrastructure, making it well suited for “tailings and discharge” applications, seep-water treatment, and even remote site deployment.

  • Flexible Deployment Options: GRAFTA™ can be used in a variety of configurations: in-line treatment for processing water, end-of-line polishing before discharge, tailings-pond water remediation, seep-water capture treatment, or even as part of long-term water management at closed or decommissioned sites. 

  • Support for Long-Term Contaminant Management & Regulatory Compliance: With stable adsorption and minimal leaching, GRAFTA™ supports responsible discharge quality and long-duration containment — helping mining companies meet stringent environmental regulations and secure social license to operate.

How GRAFTA™ Works: The Science Behind the Solution

GRAFTA™ is based on engineered graphene nanomaterials. Graphene, with its 2D structure and extremely high specific surface area (~ 2600 m² per gram)  provides an expansive platform for contaminant adsorption. 

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Functional groups on graphene (or graphene-oxide composites) create chemical binding sites that can attract and hold heavy metal ions, oxyanions (e.g. selenium, nitrate), and other contaminants through mechanisms like electrostatic interaction, ion exchange, and van der Waals / π–π interactions (depending on the contaminant).

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Because GRAFTA™ is engineered for real-world use (not just lab-scale), it combines this molecular-level adsorptive power with structural stability - ensuring that once contaminants are bound, they remain fixed, dramatically reducing leaching risk.

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GRAFTA™  nanoscale graphene layers

What This Means for Mining: Real-World Benefits

Using GRAFTA™ in a mining context can deliver tangible benefits across several dimensions:

  • Regulatory Compliance & Discharge Quality: Ensure tailings-pond water or seepage discharge meets heavy-metal, selenium, nitrate, or other contaminant limits, reducing risk of fines or shutdowns;

  • Environmental & Social License: Demonstrate a strong environmental stewardship commitment, reducing downstream ecological and community risk associated with mining operations;

  • Operational Flexibility: Deploy in remote or resource-limited locations, with minimal infrastructure demands. This is ideal for tailings-pond water, seepage water, or remote discharge points;

  • Long-Term Risk Management: With near-zero leaching and stable binding, GRAFTA™ supports long-term containment or safe disposal of contaminants, potentially reducing lifecycle liability associated with legacy mining sites;

  • Scalable & Adaptable: Whether you need a small polishing stage, a full tailings-water treatment train, or periodic discharge-water cleanup, GRAFTA™ can be configured accordingly.

Where GRAFTA™ Fits: Typical Use Cases in Mining

  • Tailings-pond water treatment (before discharge or seepage capture);

  • Seep-water / groundwater discharge from waste-rock piles or waste dumps;

  • Process water streams from ore processing or mineral extraction operations;

  • Water from decommissioned or pit-fill mines requiring periodic treatment before discharge (e.g. flooded pits with dissolved metals);

  • Remote or small-scale mines where conventional treatment infrastructure is not cost-effective or practical.

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Next Steps: How to Get Started with GRAFTA™

If you’re operating a mine, managing tailings, or overseeing water management, GRAFTA™ can be tailored to your facility.

 

Contact us to discuss:

  • Site-specific water chemistry and contaminants of concern;

  • Flow-rates, discharge volume, and treatment frequency;

  • Pilot testing using onsite water samples;

  • System configuration: in-line, tailings-pond, seep-water barrier, or discharge polishing.

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Let’s work together to transform your wastewater liability into a managed, compliant, and responsibly handled asset - protecting your operations, environment, and license to operate.​

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