Mine Water Management – A study at Edikan Gold Mine (EGM)

Water is an essential part of all mining activities and the availability of quality water year round is critical to mining operations.Mine water is largely employed in drilling, dust suppression, mineral processing and other in-pit operations. Shortage of water ina mine results in poor drilling control, dust pollution, and mill shutdowns, hence a critical need to optimize the use of water invarious mining processes. This paper seeks to establish an effective mine water management system at Edikan Gold Mine (EGM)to have enough water in store for drought conditions. A site water balance was established primarily taking into accounts theinflows and outflows of water at the mine. Results show that rainfall and the Asuafa River are the principal sources of water forEGM mining operations, while the processing plant was the main water user on the mine site. Annual net water balance is alsoestimated to help determine the required capacities of future water storage facilities.