The commitment to the environment and the appropriate use of water resources have led companies to rethink habits and develop sustainable projects. In the city of Barcarena, Brazil, where Artemyn kaolin industrial facility is located, an innovative project was implemented to reduce the consumption of groundwater in the industrial process, taking advantage of rainwater stored in waterproofed impounds.
The local Artemyn team developed an efficient system for capturing and reusing rainwater, contributing to the conservation of this essential resource. “Water is a fundamental element for our production. Therefore, we seek innovative solutions to rationalize its use and minimize our environmental impact“, highlights geotechnical engineer, Jorge Almeida, from Artemyn’s Impounds Department.
The initiative and its environmental impact
The project started with the deactivation of one of the impound set which were previously used for the deposition of kaolin tailings. These impounds were adapted to use rainwater, through waterproofing with a geosynthetic blanket, ensuring that rainwater did not come into contact with solid waste.
The rainwater collected in the impounds is pumped to the processing plant and undergoes treatment before being reused in the industrial process. Since the initial implementation of the project in 2015, Artemyn has managed to use more than 7.6 billion liters of rainwater, significantly reducing groundwater abstraction. “Our objective is to continue expanding these initiatives to further optimize the use of water resources“, added the engineer.
In the last six months, 491,630 cubic meters of water were used. This type of project not only contributes to reducing drinking water consumption, but also reduces the demand on supply systems. The environmental impact promotes the preservation of ecosystems and is aligned with regulatory requirements and good environmental practices.
Looking forward, the company continues to invest in sustainable technology and processes to ensure a balance between production and environmental preservation. “Mining can and must work together with sustainability. Our commitment is to ensure that our operations are increasingly efficient and environmentally responsible“, concludes Jorge Almeida.
