MGX commissions wastewater treatment system at oilsands project

MGX Minerals of Vancouver and partner PurLucid Treatment Solutions has commissioned a commercial 5-m3/h NFLi-5 advanced wastewater treatment system. The system is currently operating under contract to an oilsands steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operator to process evaporation blowdown water.

The system achieved all key performance indicators. Silica was reduced by 99.7%, calcium by 88% and magnesium by 72%. Total suspended solids in the treated water were non-detectable, making it suitable for recycled use, said MGX. Hourly throughput during commissioning was stable, and the optimization of the control system successfully maintained flow balance, despite outdoor Canadian winter conditions.

The plant generated about $30,000 in revenue for the oilsands company during the first three weeks it was in service. An additional system with 10 m3/h capacity is now being installed.

MGX owns 60% of PurLucid that developed the nanoflotation technology used in the treatment plant. MGX also has the right to acquire up to 100% through successive investments.

This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal.