Ensuring Savings One Drop at a Time: Aquafim

Q: Eight years ago, you mentioned that you were betting on the mining sector. What made it an attractive sector and why is it still important for your business? 
A: Despite our specialization in the agricultural sector, we recognized that many of the solutions we developed for agriculture could be applied to the mining industry. 

Like other industries, mining strives for water savings and maximizing production. In the agricultural sector, this translates to saving energy and nutrients, while in mining, it means extracting metals and minerals more effectively. I believe this is a growing market as water resources are becoming scarce, while demand for mining products and raw materials is increasing.

Aquifer depletion is an ongoing concern and CONAGUA has provided data and information emphasizing the diminishing availability of these water sources. In the mining sector, just like in agriculture, there is a need to filter water so it can be utilized. Consequently, the combination of water scarcity, stricter regulations and the potential for water savings through our products makes this market attractive. Besides monitoring, system automation and environmental support, we also provide assistance with reforestation efforts through the use of greenhouses and irrigation systems. 

Q: How can your products help mining companies achieve greater water efficiency? 
A: One of our key products in the mining sector is drip irrigation. It is a precise and efficient method that allows for direct and accurate delivery of the required amount of water to specific areas. This results in significant water savings. We also cover the entire water management process, including water extraction and storage tanks, filtration and distribution, and geomembrane liners for heap leaching and the collection basin/ditch so it is not limited to leaching pads. Additionally, we offer comprehensive monitoring services. For instance, we measure variables like liquid temperature, electrical conductivity, precipitation, soil moisture at different depths, pH levels and oxygen concentration in liquids. Our expertise as an engineering company allows us to provide tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of the mining sector.

Initially, sprinkler irrigation was commonly used in mining but gradually it has transitioned to drip irrigation. This shift is mainly due to high temperatures, which lead to increased evaporation. Sprinkler irrigation is not as effective in such conditions. There is also another method called micro-sprinkler irrigation, where the emitter releases water in a fog-like manner. However, drip irrigation remains the most precise method for mining companies. 

Q: How do Aquafim irrigation systems impact lixiviation processes? 
A: Drip irrigation can generally result in water savings of 15-30%   compared to sprinkler irrigation on leaching pads. Actual savings of using driplines versus sprinklers is due to the dependance on factors like  high temperature, high velocity winds, relative humidity, soil type and the specific application of supplements or chemicals. The exact figure depends on multiple factors that are unique to each company.

Q: What does the ReGen program do? 
A: We started this program in 2022, when our main provider Netafim opened a  dripline regeneration plant in Culiacan, Sinaloa. Our aim is to promote the removal and collection of used  driplines, which can undergo a thorough process in which a significant percentage is practically regenerated. We use the term "regeneration," instead of recycling because the end result is a material that is essentially brand new and also high-quality.

We are currently executing this program extensively in the agricultural sector, where collecting used driplines is already a common practice. In the mining industry, it could also be possible to implement this program. However, it has not yet received the attention it deserves because certain chemicals used in the sector may hinder the regeneration process. In such cases, the regenerated  driplines may not be identical but as far as we know, participation could be possible in the near future. We are interested in exploring this market niche as well but we are still evaluating it. 

Q: What are the company’s plans for the mid and long term? 
A: Our vision is to be the leading company in Mexico in the design, sale and installation of irrigation systems. Previously, our focus was primarily on the agricultural sector. Now, it includes both agriculture and the mining or industrial sectors. 

We aim to double or triple our participation in the mining sector. To achieve this goal, we must work hard to let mining companies know the importance of implementing our solutions, as they can improve water consumption rates and ore recovery efficiency.

Aquafim is a Mexico-based company that specializes in the design, sale and installation of irrigation systems and other innovative products for the mining and agricultural sectors.