Customer Background
The Morupule Colliery is a coal mine located in Palapye, Botswana, and owned and operated by Debswana, a partnership between the government of Botswana and De Beers. Founded in 1973 to supply the Bamangwato Concessions, Ltd copper and nickel mine, operations have expanded considerably since then to supply a number of regional power plants and industries, especially the nearby Morupule Power Station.
A major expansion to the colliery is planned for 2010 and 2011. The colliery expansion will see production levels increase from just under 1 million tonnes per annum to 2.8 million tons per annum. The project began with feasibility studies and designs in 2007, construction on site began in September 2010, and first coals from the expanded mine and plant is expected in November 2011. The colliery currently employs around 320 people (mostly drawn from the nearby town of Palapye) and after the expansion will provide permanent employment to around 480 people.
New houses will be constructed to house the expanded workforce. A connecting pipeline has been constructed to the North-South carrier water pipeline some 15 km away near Palapye in order to supply surface water to the mine.
Waste Water Challenge
The mine erected pre-fab housing complexes for staff and required an effective waste water treatment system.
Sewage Treatment Solution
Installed a 100-cube WWT system for the housing complex and the clean, clear and odourless effluent is used for irrigation and dust suppression purposes.
