Towards the Global Rise of Zero Liquid Discharge for Wastewater Management: The Mining Industry Case in Chile

Abstract

The depletion of water has been recognized as the most pressing challenge to socioeconomic and human development. The implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge strategies is essential to drive the transition from linear to circular water management. Mining ventures require enormous amounts of water and energy in the extraction and transformation phases while generating tremendous volumes of wastewater with a detrimental impact on the environment. By modernization of mining process and implantation of novel technologies (i.e., membrane technologies), there are opportunities such as reduction of water and energy consumption, and extraction of water and valuable components from mine tailings. For instance, Chile, an arid country experiencing a mega drought, has established the mining sector as the central pillar of its sustainable economic development. However, the intensive mining activities have exacerbated the water-energy nexus. Therefore, a new approach for optimization of water and energy consumption is a necessity for Chile. This chapter provides the prospects of the exploitation of membrane technologies in the Chilean mining industry, coherently with the Zero-Liquid Discharge paradigm. Besides the traditional practices for freshwater production and remediation, possible applicable strategies are discussed taking into account the recent achievements in membrane technologies for the wastewater valorization by the recovery of valuable minerals.