Direct answer

Not necessarily. The balance boundary must be defined and the change must be shown to reduce the make-up water required by the circuit. Water may be recovered earlier in the thickener and no longer recovered later at the storage facility, or the underflow may require dilution for transport.

Process mechanism

A balance compares inputs, outputs and accumulation within a defined boundary. Measuring only the overflow excludes recirculation, water added downstream and inventory changes. The comparison must use a common time basis and a comparable solids basis.

As a mass relationship, if Cp is the mass fraction of solids in a slurry, the mass of water per unit of dry solids is (1 - Cp) / Cp. This identity does not demonstrate a circuit saving. Flow rates, inventories and water destinations are required to establish that.

Relevant variables

  • feed and discharge flow rates and concentrations;
  • clarified water and the destination of that stream;
  • dilution, washing and transport water;
  • recovery from the storage facility and other recirculation streams;
  • inventory changes and changes in treatment;
  • water quality and use constraints.

Implications and limits

Clarified water, reusable water and reduced make-up supply must be kept separate. Valuation requires identifying a cost that can actually be avoided. This text explains a balance criterion; it does not estimate benefits from GENKO or replace an engineering study.

Sources and review

The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, Requirement 5.3 includes the water balance and management of the storage facility within a broader system. It is used as context; compliance with the standard is not claimed. The mass relationship above is an educational derivation. The balance boundary and terminology must be adjusted to the circuit being analysed.