CST Wastewater Solutions has been highly commended in the environmental category of the 2016 Bulk Handling Awards for its Modular Smith and Loveless Fixed Activated Sludge Treatment (FAST®) system. This system helped an Australian mining operation produce an effluent water quality to Class A standard.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised amongst other industry leaders for advanced technology that enables bulk handling companies to become more environmentally sustainable by developing and installing practices that reduce the environmental impact of mining and industrial operations,” said Michael Bambridge, Managing Director, CST Wastewater Solutions.
“FAST® systems are particularly convenient, because the entire system can be built into a standard shipping container. This helped enormously with the remote location of this project,” said Bambridge.
The judges were impressed with the convenience and portability of the FAST® system, which adds a crucial advantage to rural sites, where expert staff are in shorter supply.
The Class A performance means the water can be recycled for processes around the site, in accord with the company’s ethos of improving quality of life and effectively managing impacts.
The installation at the mine follows previous installations globally at remote locations such as mining and energy installations and commercial and recreational facilities operating in areas where water is a precious shared resource and where there may be water quality issues.
One of the FAST® systems installed is used for the plant workshop, which has a maximum daily flow of 110m3. The second system is installed at the village, for the camp and accommodation block, which has a maximum daily flow of 345m3.
Effluent produced can be recycled into suitable industrial, public facility and commercial processes.
“The FAST® system allows this major entity to reuse the effluent water for dust suppression and lubrication water, which helps with their environmental footprint,” sayid Bambridge.
“The modular format of the FAST® System also allows an easy bolt on for any expansion in workforce. For any future major increase of staff numbers, it is a simple matter of adding another FAST® 20-foot Module. Each system is designed to handle an increase of approximately 200 workers. This could be incorporated in the design.”
