Use of salt water in domestic and foreign mining industries

With mines a sustainable water supply is crucial.Salt water,including saline water and seawater,is an alternative solution when there is lack of fresh water.This paper lists and describes the properties of saline water and seawater,and the use of salt water and desalinated water in both China's domestic and global mining industries,and it further states that internationally in the mining industry the use of saline water is already mature and extensive,more than the case in China's domestic mining sector.This article discusses the considerations that the erosion the direct use of saline water can cause and unfavorable factors that the saline water may influences in the operation of lead-zinc and molybdenum ores' flotation,and gives the consideration that desalinated water may be more suitable for mining operations.Up to date,the Reverse Osmosis Technology is most used in the desalination of salt water,and the cost of this operation largely depends on the transportation distance and the elevation where the desalinated water is needed,particularly for those mines in very remote and elevated areas.It also explains that using salty water can be a solution in arid areas,however,taking risks to cause environmental damages.It gives the conclusion that in China's domestic mining sector,use of salt water for those mines in remote and arid areas is a viable solution,and suggests the concerned government authorities to engage more investment and investigation in this application.