Water management
Water is an essential resource in any territory, and particularly in Spain, where water availability can be limited in many regions. For this reason, its protection and responsible use are a priority for any industrial project.
In modern mining, water management is one of the most important environmental aspects. Today’s mining projects are designed to reduce water consumption, prevent contamination, and carefully control any potential impact on rivers, aquifers, and ecosystems.
In addition, mining operations in Europe must comply with some of the most stringent environmental regulations in the world. European and Spanish legislation impose strict controls on water use, discharges, and the protection of public water resources.
At the San Juan tungsten project, water management is based on a combination of technical design, prevention, and environmental control. The main measures include:
- Selection of the site and project design to avoid altering the existing hydrographic network.
- A closed-loop water system for mineral processing, allowing water to be reused and preventing discharges into rivers or other water bodies.
- A drainage system with perimeter channels that collect runoff from operational areas and direct it to settling ponds, where suspended solids are removed.
- Sediment control through settling ponds, preventing soil particles from reaching nearby watercourses.
- Pollution prevention measures.
- Controlled management of potentially hazardous substances and waste by authorized operators.
- Erosion control measures through progressive revegetation of exposed surfaces, reducing runoff and sediment transport.
- An environmental monitoring program that includes regular water quality analysis to ensure compliance with established standards.
- Periodic inspections of settling ponds to verify their proper functioning and their capacity to retain solids.
Thanks to this set of measures, the project is designed to minimise its impact on water resources and ensure responsible water management throughout the life of the mining operation.
Our objective is clear: to use water responsibly, protect local ecosystems, and minimise the project’s water footprint.