Effluent treatment may be required in order to meet regulatory discharge limits on metals, pH, cyanide, radium, toxicity, etc. SENES has extensive expertise in the area of mine effluent treatment. We have conducted several state-of-the-art technology reviews and have prepared conceptual designs and cost estimates for numerous effluent treatment systems.

Effluent Treatment
SENES has prepared conceptual designs for effluent treatment systems to remove dissolved and suspended metals (batch lime neutralization, conventional or High Density Sludge lime circuits, coagulant/flocculant addition), ammonia (bioreactor systems, natural degradation), radium (barium addition), thiosalt (biological degradation) and arsenic (ferric iron addition).

Cyanide Management
SENES is familiar with common technologies available for cyanide destruction including INCO SO2-air, hydrogen peroxide and natural degradation. We have worked on a number of projects involving the conceptual design of cyanide treatment systems. We have also made recommendations to clients regarding management of cyanide-containing wastewaters to optimize natural cyanide degradation and discourage the production of undesirable by-products such as ammonia.

Model and Assess Aquatic Effects
SENES has developed a number of computer programs to assess physical, biological and chemical processes involved in the transport of contaminants in lakes and rivers in order to assess the impact of contaminants on downstream biological communities. Several of these projects involved uranium mining areas. The models were used to identify contaminants that required further investigation or to identify the most appropriate waste management option to minimize environmental impacts.