Imerys invests in water treatment plant to meet environmental regulations

In 2021, we began discussions with water treatment experts from Veolia to establish the best approach to ensure we meet the regulations, and we ultimately developed a multi-step process involving ozonation, remineralization and clarification. Excavation work began in early 2023, and this advanced system has been operational at Glomel since April 2024. It eliminates more than 95% of the manganese, ensuring the site can consistently discharge water that meets the 2mg/l threshold and allowing sustainable andalusite production to continue uninterrupted. This project represents an investment of more than €6 million, with an annual operating cost of €250,000.

Gautier Verduyn, Project Manager, says: "This new water treatment facility's robust and scalable design provides the flexibility to adapt and grow, safeguarding the local environment while ensuring uninterrupted mining operations."

The project was executed seamlessly, with no interruptions to andalusite operations and an excellent safety record.

"With the implementation of the new treatment system, Imerys can confidently look towards the future," concludes Gautier. "We now have the capability to consistently meet environmental regulations and ensure the smooth operation of Glomel."