Water recovery in mining refers to the systematic process of capturing, collecting, and reclaiming water that has been used in various mining operations so that it can be reused or safely discharged. In bauxite, gold, iron ore, and diamond mining, vast quantities of water are consumed during ore processing, dust suppression, equipment cooling, and slurry transport. Water recovery systems are essential components of responsible mine water management strategies and are designed to reduce overall freshwater consumption, lower operational costs, and minimize environmental impacts. These systems typically involve settling ponds, filtration units, pumping infrastructure, and treatment facilities that work together to extract usable water from tailings, process effluents, and stormwater runoff. In bauxite refining, for example, water recovery is particularly important in the Bayer process, where large volumes of caustic slurry must be managed and water reclaimed efficiently. In alluvial diamond mining and gold processing using cyanide leaching, water recovery is critical for both economic efficiency and environmental compliance. Modern water recovery systems can achieve recovery rates exceeding 80–90%, significantly reducing the draw on local freshwater sources. Regulatory requirements in many mining jurisdictions now mandate rigorous water recovery practices as part of environmental management plans.
