As competition for reliable water supplies increases, water continues to be a major consideration for communities, mining and processing projects throughout Western Australia and the Goldfields.
WISE (Water Infrastructure Science & Engineering) is helping clients navigate this increasingly complex landscape with specialist engineering consulting.
Founded in the Pilbara in 2012 by Principal Utilities Engineer and Director Giselle Degebrodt to provide independent engineering advice on water infrastructure and assets, WISE relocated to Perth in 2015 during the iron ore downturn to focus on the continued growth in other sectors across mining, water utilities, local government, agriculture, industrial projects and aboriginal community services.
WISE works extensively throughout WA on the full range of water supplies and services from remote mine site water sources and wastewater processing, regulatory compliance and ESG objectives. In the Goldfields WISE supports clients with planning, design and delivery of infrastructure investments in recycled water schemes and bulk water supplies for mineral processing operations.
“There are no fresh water sources within the Goldfields, groundwaters are hypersaline and up to five times saltier than seawater and acidic, while the gold industry is well versed in hypersaline groundwater management, emerging critical minerals projects face additional challenges.
The critical minerals industry typically requires fresh water for processing, which is a major constraint to development in the Goldfields as technologies such as desalination are not practical on hypersaline water,” Ms Degebrodt said.
WISE believes that effective planning requires a pragmatic approach – dealing with uncertainty in making and progressing clear decisions early, so that approvals, support, and delivery capability are established in time. While there may be much uncertainty about future requirements, the primary risk is failing to progress a solution to a point where water is available to meet demand.
WISE has been instrumental in developing Kalgoorlie’s recycled water services to industry and in building the case for non-drinking water supplies for mineral processing.
“As Australia focuses on strategic critical minerals, the development of water as a feedstock to metallurgical processing is paramount. Water infrastructure is increasingly being viewed as a strategic asset rather than just a compliance risk and we are seeing mining companies taking an ESG approach to avoid accessing scheme water, which can have a high societal risk,” Ms Degebrodt added.
WISE’s point of difference lies in its pragmatic, independent, collaborative approach to delivering actionable solutions. Having a detailed understanding of the equipment and contractor market, site-specific familiarity and logistical risks of often remote operations, we competently facilitate our clients in achieving strategic outcomes.
By WISE WA
