The mining industry relies on water
Mining and mineral processing use large volumes of water, and tailings dams store the byproducts afterward, stagnant, nutrient-rich water that’s ideal for algae. As blooms develop, they raise TSS and pH, clog filters, and push up chemical use and maintenance. When that water has to be discharged, exceedances turn into fines.
The stakes are higher than at most sites: tailings water carries heavy metals, chemicals, and rock particles, so water quality is under constant environmental scrutiny. Mining operations that discharge must meet NPDES requirements, which regulate the parameters that algae push out of range.
Controlling algae at the source keeps your discharge within limits, without adding chemicals to already-loaded mine water.
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What is a tailings dam?
A tailings dam is an engineered impoundment that stores tailings, the slurry of water, fine rock particles, and residual chemicals left over after ore has been processed and the valuable minerals extracted. Because mining uses large volumes of water, tailings dams hold vast quantities of it, often standing still for long periods while solids settle out and water is recovered for reuse or eventual discharge.
That combination, standing water, warmth, and dissolved nutrients, makes tailings dams and mine water ponds highly prone to algae. As algae grow, they raise total suspended solids (TSS) and pH, the very parameters that determine whether stored water can be legally discharged. Blooms also clog the filters and pumps that keep the operation running, driving up chemical use and maintenance. Controlling algae in the dam protects both discharge compliance and day-to-day operations.
What defines mine water and tailings storage?
Mine water impoundments vary by site and mineral, but they share defining traits:
- Process byproduct: stores tailings and recovered water, containing heavy metals, chemicals, and rock particles.
- Standing, nutrient-rich water: stagnant conditions that let algae bloom readily.
- Discharge-regulated: water quality must meet limits such as those under the NPDES before release.
- TSS and pH sensitive: the parameters most affected by algae are the ones that trigger fines.
Why do mining operations need discharge-focused algae control
Mine water differs from most other water bodies because the risk isn’t recreational or aesthetic; it’s regulatory and operational. Water held in tailings dams and mine ponds must meet strict quality limits before it can be discharged, and algae growth pushes total suspended solids (TSS) and pH beyond those limits, the exact parameters that trigger fines. At the same time, algae clog the filters and pumps that keep processing running, raising chemical costs and maintenance downtime. Because the stored water contains heavy metals, chemicals, and rock particles, an out-of-spec discharge carries both financial and environmental consequences.
Rather than dosing chemicals into water that already holds mining byproducts, ultrasound controls algae directly and continuously, pairing treatment with real-time monitoring at 15-minute intervals so operators are alerted before TSS or pH cross critical thresholds. It works without cavitation, releases no algal toxins, and helps mining sites hold discharge compliance, reduce operating expense, and avoid interruptions to production.
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Benefits of ultrasonic algae treatment
Lower chemical expenses
Improve operations of filters and pipes
Prevent toxic algal blooms
Algae control challenges
Algae in tailings dams and process-water ponds drive up TSS and pH, the parameters your discharge permit limits, risking violations and fines. Control it at the source, chemical-free, with real-time monitoring.
- Reduce pH and TSS levels
- Improve mining operations
- Comply with environmental regulations
Managing water quality risks in tailings dams
Tailings dams pose an environmental risk since they contain heavy metals, chemicals, and rock particles. Real-time water quality monitoring capabilities from MPC-Buoy allows mining sites to monitor their water quality at 15-minute intervals. This way operators can be alerted when critical values are reached for specific water and algae parameters. Algae growth can increase TSS and pH levels. Leading to potential fines when the water needs to be discharged.
Mining operations that discharge water must comply with requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which regulates water quality to protect surface waters.
Our chemical-free technology provides a sustainable solution for mining operations to achieve environmental compliance, reduce OPEX, and prevent operational interruptions.
MPC-Buoy
All-in-one solution for controlling algae in large water reservoirs.
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Frequently asked questions
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What is the impact of LG Sonic ultrasound on zooplankton?
Recent studies commissioned by the Dutch water board and conducted by research agency Ecofide have concluded that the LG Sonic ultrasound is safe for fish, plants, zooplankton, and other aquatic organisms.
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Why control the algae if nutrients are the problem?
Reducing nutrients is, of course, also necessary but difficult to achieve, even in the long-term. The majority of nutrient management methods are costly and require frequent dosing with unknown side-effects for the aquatic ecosystem. Besides, the duration and intensity of algal bloom events is strongly depended not only on nutrients but also on a combination of environmental factors, such as climate change, weather patterns, and an unbalanced ecosystem.
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What kind of water does your ultrasound work in?
The MPC-Buoy technology can be installed in freshwater, salt water, and brackish water.
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What’s the largest water body that has LG Sonic implemented? Any issues linking many buoys?
We have multiple projects with large numbers of MPC-Buoy units installed. For example, in Dominican Republic, 50 MPC-Buoys are in operation in a 7km2 reservoir. The buoys communicate with each other for optimal treatment.
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What's the minimum depth of water required for LG Sonic treatment?
We recommend a minimum water depth of 3 feet / 1 meter.