HDS Treatment Trails

The Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) is undertaking this preliminary market engagement to better understand the availability of suppliers capable of delivering field-based High Density Sludge (HDS) pilot treatment trials for zinc bearing mine waters and to inform its procurement approach.
In particular, the MRA wishes to understand the extent of supplier capability and capacity within the market for these specialist services. The MRA is seeking to procure a specialist supplier to design, provide, mobilise, operate and report on containerised pilot-scale HDS treatment trials for metal-contaminated mine water at three sites: the former Threlkeld Lead Mines in Westmorland and Furness; Abbey Consols Mine in Ceredigion, Mid Wales; and a site within the Minsterley catchment, Shropshire. The trials are required to validate HDS treatment performance, establish optimised operating conditions and generate robust design, cost and operational data to inform potential full-scale mine water treatment schemes.
The requirement is for field-based HDS pilot trials suitable for zinc-rich mine waters with differing water chemistry. The Threlkeld trial will address net-acidic mine water with zinc as the primary contaminant and secondary metals including iron, aluminium, manganese, lead, cadmium, arsenic and nickel. The Abbey Consols trial will address circum-neutral pH mine water with zinc as the primary contaminant and secondary metals including iron, aluminium, manganese, lead, cadmium and nickel. The Minsterley trial will address zinc-rich circum-neutral mine water with lead and cadmium as key secondary contaminants. Flow conditions vary by site and the supplier will be expected to propose and operate an appropriate pilot configuration for each location, including suitable flow management, chemical dosing, monitoring and control arrangements.
The supplier will be required to provide and operate containerised HDS pilot plant and equipment capable of demonstrating removal of zinc...