Water at Mina da Borralha
A closed, modern, responsible system, with no abstraction from or discharge into rivers, springs or reservoirs.
Where will the water used at Mina da Borralha come from?
The water to be used at Mina da Borralha comes exclusively from the old flooded galleries.
This water, already present in the mining system itself, is pumped to the surface and stored in reservoirs, and is then used in the mine's operation, always in a closed circuit.
One of the most modern systems for the responsible use of water
The volume of water stored in these galleries is far greater than the needs of the future operation. It is enough to ensure the operation of more than 10 mines of a similar size.
This means there is a sufficient water reserve within the old mining system itself, with no need to draw water from rivers, streams, springs, reservoirs or other sources.
With no need to draw water from:
The water circuit at Mina da Borralha
Scroll down to follow the water, from the old galleries to the industrial process and back to the start. Skip the circuit
- ●
The circuit at a glance
A closed, modern and responsible system, with no abstraction from or discharge into rivers, springs or reservoirs. Keep scrolling to follow the seven steps.
- 1
Pumping from the galleries
The water to be used at Mina da Borralha comes exclusively from the old flooded galleries. This water, already present in the mining system itself, is pumped to the surface.
- 2
Treatment
Water from the mine is treated and then used in the mining operation in a closed circuit.
- 3
Reservoirs
The reservoirs work as the heart of the system. From there, the water goes to the facilities and is used in the mine's operation.
- 4
Industrial process
The same water always circulates within the industrial circuit.
- 5
Collection and further treatment
After being used in the mine's operation, the water is collected, treated again and returned to the reservoirs, where it always remains in a closed circuit to be reused. Water from the mine's staff facilities is also treated and integrated into the system.
- 6
Rainwater collected and treated
Rain that comes into contact with the industrial area is collected through a dedicated drainage system, treated and incorporated into the industrial circuit.
- 7
Group F gallery (separate system)
There is also a gallery with available water that forms a completely separate system. Its water may reinforce the supply to the Bairro Novo of Minas da Borralha, with no connection whatsoever to the mine project.
- 0
Zero discharge
The same water always circulates within the industrial circuit. The Venda Nova reservoir and the Amiar stream stay outside the circuit: no abstraction and no discharge.
Zero discharge
Water from the mine's staff facilities is also treated and integrated into the system, with no discharge into the natural environment.
Rain that comes into contact with the industrial area is also collected through a dedicated drainage system, treated and incorporated into the industrial circuit.
The water is already in the mine, and it is abundant.
Enough water for more than 10 mines of the same scale.
The same water always circulates within the industrial circuit.
Water from the industrial area is also put to use.
Water from the staff facilities is treated and integrated into the industrial system.
A mine with zero discharge.
A solution for the community
There is also a gallery with available water that forms a completely separate system. Its water may reinforce the supply to the Bairro Novo of Minas da Borralha, with no connection whatsoever to the mine project.
Download the water booklet (PDF, 5.3 MB, in Portuguese) Circuit infographic (JPG, in Portuguese)
