Dimensionamiento de un Sistema de Tratamiento de Efluentes Líquidos Provenientes del Proceso de Extracción del Oro en Santa Rosa de Agua Clara

Abstract

The present study was the "Sizing of a treatment system for liquid effluents from the gold extraction process in Santa Rosa de Agua Clara" in the province of Bolivar. The study consisted of a diagnosis of the problems generated during soil drilling, for which a tour of the mining area was carried out to identify the sampling zones and verify their condition and quality. Subsequently, wastewater was analyzed at the Technical Analysis Laboratory (ESPOCH), using techniques based on the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The results of the wastewater analysis show: Turbidity of 1158.4 UNT, Total Solids of 29012.0 mg/L, Sedimentable Solids of 7860.0 mg/L, Chemical Oxygen Demand of 1700.0 mg/L, Lead of 5.7 mg/L, values that are outside the norm. The average effluent flow rate is 2.3 L/s. Based on the results obtained, a treatment system was designed in two stages: the first stage is a preliminary treatment and the second stage is a primary treatment to eliminate the physical contamination caused by the solids from the mining operation. It is important to raise awareness in the mining society through training on the proper management of resources to avoid generating more waste in the discharge of waste effluent, favoring a better efficiency of the treatment system and a more responsible mining work.