Strongbow Exploration engages Silbuster Process Solutions for water treatment

Strongbow Exploration {AIM: SBW} have confirmed that Siltbuster Process Solutions are working on water treatability at their South Crofty tin mine located in Cornwall, SW England.

 

Keith Russ, a technical service engineer of the South Crofty Tin Project, stands in a mining tunnel at South Crofty tin mine in Redruth, U.K., on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. Strongbow Exploration Inc., who the bought mine last month, could have the mine in production by 2019 or 2020, delivering 20 tons of tin a day, according to Chief Executive Officer Richard Williams. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Keith Russ, a technical service engineer of the South Crofty Tin Project, stands in a mining tunnel at South Crofty tin mine in Redruth, U.K., on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. Strongbow Exploration Inc., who the bought mine last month, could have the mine in production by 2019 or 2020, delivering 20 tons of tin a day, according to Chief Executive Officer Richard Williams. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Water treatment is an important step in re-opening South Crofty

 

Siltbuster Process Solutions (SPS) is carrying out trials to demonstrate the treatability of minewater from the closed tin mine in South Crofty, Cornwall, UK., owned by Strongbow Exploration, listed in London and Canada.

 

After completion, the results will be used to evaluate and show the feasibility of dewatering and mine reopening.

 

SPS was given the responsibility to treat mine water at this project that is contaminated with metals and other impurities mainly iron. It will help in reducing the metal content in the water and ensure safe discharge to the nearby Red River.

 

If the trial is successful, then it would be an important step towards the reopening of this mine.

 

Last year in July, Strongbow Exploration acquired the South Crofty tin mine.

 

Siltbuster Process Solutions technical manager Chris Bullen said: “It is great to have been chosen to work on such an important and high profile project. We have a long history not only of working with mines but also of this region, we understand the local geology and have consulted heavily with the Strongbow team on the best way to dewater the mine”.

 

“This initial trial phase is very important; it will not only show that the required environmental standards can be met, but will also demonstrate the viability of the whole mine.”

 

“It will not only show that the required environmental standards can be met, but also demonstrate the viability of the whole mine.”
SPS will use High-Density Sludge at South Crofty to treat 18m3 of minewater every hour for the next two to three months.

 

If the trial is successful, SPS will bolster its efforts to treat and discharge up to 25,000m3 of minewater a day that will dewater the mine over an 18-24 month period ahead of reopening.

 

The South Crofty tin project area hosts 26 former producing mines in an area of 1,490ha.

 

Full-scale mining at this property started in the 17th century, then closed in 1985 after tin prices plummeted.

 

SPS has successfully completed many minewater treatment plants with designs and feasibility studies in UK and worldwide. The company has completed a turnkey contract to design, build and commission a water treatment system for Wolf Minerals’ new tungsten mine at the Drakelands Mine near Plymouth.

 

Image: Siltbuster Process Solutions kit being used in trials at South Crofty tin