Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Mine Wastewater Treatment

Mohsen Barkh, P. Eng., M. Eng., PMP

Mohsen has more than 25 years of experience in mine water and wastewater treatment around the globe. He was the critical design person for various treatment systems targeting different contaminants such as heavy metals, cyanide, sulphate, chloride, and so on. His past experiences as a senior process engineer in various countries, such as France, Russia, Peru, Namibia, Mexico and Canada, with different regulations and standards have made him a well-versed technical leader with deep knowledge of issues related to mine water treatment.

This course delves into the realm of mine wastewater treatment and explores the array of existing technologies designed to tackle the challenges posed by the industry. A concise examination of the advantages and limitations inherent in each technology will provide participants with a comprehensive industry overview. Moreover, significant emphasis will be placed on the chemical precipitation technology, which stands as the pioneer and the most prevalent approach to mine wastewater treatment. The subsequent segment of the course will introduce a pioneering application of Artificial Intelligence for the in-situ treatment of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) and acidic mine water. This cutting-edge approach utilizes a nonhazardous and environmentally friendly reagent, representing a remarkable leap forward in sustainable mine water treatment practices. The course will also unveil select analytical findings, offering attendees a glimpse into the tangible outcomes of this novel approach. Furthermore, we will engage in discussions about potential future applications of this technology, fostering an insightful exchange of ideas within the audience.

Learning Objectives

• Gain insight into the prevailing challenges associated with mine wastewater treatment
• Examine the current landscape of treatment practices, exploring their scope, applications, and inherent constraints
• Explore the utilization of Artificial Intelligence for in-situ mine wastewater treatment
• Discern and assess the prospective cross-industry applications of this emerging technology

Prerequisites

Attendees should have a basic understanding of:

• The water treatment process
• The operational challenges in mine operation
• A high school-level understanding of chemistry
• An appetite for innovative processes and out-of-box thinking

Who Should Attend

• Mine/industrial wastewater engineers
• Mine Environmental and ESG managers
• Wastewater treatment plant operators
• Waste to value project/program managers
• Indigenous communities leaders involved with the mining industry
• Chemical and environmental engineering students
• People interested in AI applications