Water management: Decisive choices for responsible use

On average, 90% of the water used in the EMILI project will be recycled. Water consumption was estimated at 1.2 million cubic meters per year (600,000 m3 for concentration and then transport by pipeline, 600,000 m3 for conversion).

Water management for the Echassières mine

An in-depth knowledge of water resources through investigation campaigns.
 

Three investigation campaigns were carried out (November 2022, April and December 2023) around La Bosse. These studies will make it possible to understand the current behaviour of groundwater and surface water, and to assess their quality. These data are essential for identifying the potential impacts of the mine, both on water quantity and local water quality. Initial results have shown that water circulates mainly in the micaschist (the rock above the Beauvoir granite), feeding nearby springs and streams. Conversely, the Beauvoir granite appears practically impermeable.

Studies have also been carried out over a wide area (beyond the Bosse massif) to identify and characterise several potential sources of water supply for the EMILI project.
 

Withdrawal limited to what is strictly necessary, together with reduction measures.
 

In the light of these studies, Imerys has decided not to draw water from the La Bosse aquifer. The Beauvoir site would therefore be supplied from the Sioule. The flow-rate that Imerys would like to draw from the river would be approximately 70m3/h, amounting to 0.6% of the flow at the lowest water level over an average of five years. However, as the Sioule is likely to be affected by droughts, Imerys is looking for ways to reduce its withdrawals, in particular by creating water reserves. Compatibility with the master plan for water development and management (SDAGE) and the water development and management plan (SAGE) will also need to be addressed.  Finally, to keep water consumption to a minimum, the Beauvoir site's facilities would be designed to operate as much as possible in a closed circuit. These options are all the more valuable in that they help to reduce waste (recirculation rate estimated at over 95% for the concentration plant).

Download in PDF the simplified water balance for the concentration plant

Water management for the conversion plant

For the conversion plant, Imerys worked with the Montluçon urban community to look into the possibility of reusing treated water from the local wastewater treatment plant. This recycling of grey water, after a purification stage, would limit or even avoid any direct withdrawal from the natural environment. It would amount to approximately 10% of the treatment plant's flow.
 

Download simplified water balance for the conversion plant file

For further information, please refer to Chapter 4 of the Dossier du Maître d'Ouvrage (DMO) “Environmental & Health Impacts and Industrial Risks of the Emili Project”, Points 1-6 and 8-9 (french only).