Eco Detection’s Ion-Q+ technology is an autonomous water quality monitoring system ideally suited for field-based applications. Deploying Ion-Q+ for mine water monitoring, enables mine site environmental managers and mine site operations to:
- Monitor mine site water environment discharge in effectively real time
- Gain insight to the water quality in mine dewatering lagoons
- Capture key water quality indicators for common environment regulatory compliance
The Challenges
The mining sector is also facing increased pressure to improve environmental standards and provide assurance for sustainable, environmentally friendly operations. Continuous water quality monitoring of the various mining streams is necessary for daily reconciliation of the impact of mine operations on the environment.
Allocating resources to obtain regular laboratory grab samples, in all weather conditions is becoming more difficult as the resource pool tightens. The costs associated with attempting to take consistent water samples continues to increase.
Obtaining timely monitoring data is crucial to manage mine operational risks. Monitoring acid mine drainage in sulphur bearing minerals is becoming more challenging as the environmental conditions fluctuate more with changes our climate. Capturing free cyanide and total cyanide typically requires lengthy laboratory analysis.
Access to mines that have been closed is difficult for water monitoring as they become protected sites for rehabilitation. Residues from mine explosives can alter in concentration as water tables fluctuate and carry potentially harmful ammonium and nitrates into waterways.
The Solution
Eco Detection’s Ion-Q+ technology now provides high frequency, in-situ monitoring of water in effectively real-time.
Our Ion-Q+ enables flexible installation options as it can be powered by either 110-240 VAC or with a solar & battery pack. The Ion-Q+ is field proven and operates in hot dusty environments.
Our multi-parameter analysis capability provides broad insight on potential contaminants leaving mining permit areas, and into the surrounding water ways.
Ion-Q+ provides analysis of water bodies down to ionic levels provides deeper insight for reconciliation of mine operations and associated discharges i.e., ammonium, nitrate and nitrite for total inorganic nitrogen.
The Benefits
Real-time monitoring
Providing higher frequency, in-situ data on mine water, capturing the potential impact on the environs in real-time.
Supports sustainability
Enables mine operations to demonstrate environmental responsibility and ongoing duty of care for the environment in ever changing conditions.
Cost-effective
Reduces the need for expensive, resource-intensive and time-consuming manual sampling and laboratory analysis.
Regulatory compliance
Assists in meeting environmental regulations and industry standards for sustainable mining practices for both operational and closed mines.
Comprehensive data
Correlation of daily mining inputs with water quality data and weather event information for a complete picture of environmental impact.
Brand protection
Helps major mining companies protect their brand reputation by ensuring that practices align with environmental stewardship expectations.