SAIMM Discussion Panel on AMD

15th September 2011

The SOLUTION to POLLUTION IS …… not DILUTION (discharge)or CONCENTRATION (reverse osmosis)

it’s the SALT stupid

it’s the SALTS

Disposal of liquid effluent imminently illegal

The SOLUTION IS RECONSTITUTION AS PRODUCTS – USING ION EXCHANGE

EARTH – MAKING SOUP IN REVERSE

SALTS AS REVENUES

ECONOMICS

“no risk” (but

balance sheet

liability)

perceived risk (but no

balance sheet

liability)

potable

potable and products

Cost

Revenue

LIMING RO EARTH

THE INNOVATION CHASM

Cost

Revenue

R20m (private individuals)Needs another R15m for Demo PlantWho should pay?

• Piloted and proven technology

• There are others – South African thought leadership

• Mines will subsidise but not support innovation

• Government needs to intervene to reduce cost of capital at risk

phase (cheaper than quick fixes now being implemented at last

minute)

• WRC/DWA have no budget

• CSIR and Mintek are funded but not private sector

• No benchmarking

• Potentially sterilised value and sub-optimal solution

SUMMARY