Nafasi Water Technologies and Seriti Launch Sustainable Water Treatment Project in Mpumalanga

In a major step toward environmental innovation in mining, Nafasi Water Technologies and Seriti Resources have officially broken ground on a new water treatment facility at the Arnot Closed Colliery site near Middelburg.

The project is designed to treat mine-impacted water and restore water quality in the Olifants River catchment, one of South Africa’s most strategically important river systems supporting communities, agriculture, industry and biodiversity across multiple provinces. By treating the mine’s polluted water and releasing clean, compliant water back into the environment, the project will help improve downstream water quality, enhance water security, and contribute to the ecological health of the catchment.

Mining at Arnot ceased in 1992, but the site still produces mine-affected water, previously managed through temporary evaporation and pumping. The new facility will address this legacy by treating approximately 6 million litres of contaminated water each day, ensuring it meets strict quality standards. The treated water will be safely released into the Bosmanspruit stream, in accordance with Seriti’s water use licence, while around 2 million litres daily will be supplied to the local municipality, improving drinking water resources. All process by-products will be responsibly disposed of at licensed off-site facilities, following zero liquid discharge best practices.

Delivered through a Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) model, the project guarantees ongoing expertise and accountability from design and construction through to long-term operation and eventual closure.

Suzie Nkambule, Chief Executive Officer of Nafasi Water, highlighting the project’s alignment with the company’s mission to provide sustainable water solutions in challenging contexts, said, “This groundbreaking project showcases what our finance-build-operate model can achieve in practice. We are taking decades of expertise in mine water treatment and applying it to solve a local environmental challenge, with benefits that will be felt by both the ecosystem and the community.”

“Our team’s specialist knowledge in treating mine-impacted water allows us to deliver a world-class facility that will produce clean, compliant water for discharge and reuse. We’re proud to partner with Seriti Resources to ensure that Arnot’s post-mining legacy is one of environmental restoration and improved water security, rather than pollution,” further said Nkambule.

Emphasising the technical excellence behind the project’s implementation, Brendan Petschel, Project Director for Nafasi Water, explained that the plant’s design draws on proven technologies and lessons from other successful projects.

“Our engineering and operations teams have been at the forefront of mine water treatment innovation for years. We’re deploying a high-recovery treatment process and robust engineering controls to achieve reliable results with minimal waste. Thanks to the experience gained on projects like the Eastern Basin and Central Basin AMD treatment plants, as well as the Middelburg water reclamation facility, we have refined our approach to handle water chemistry of this complexity,” said Petschel.

He further said, “From day one of operation, our goal is to ensure continuous compliance with water quality standards and a smooth integration of the plant’s output into the local water system. This is a long-term commitment; we will operate and maintain the plant throughout its lifespan, guaranteeing performance and relieving the burden on the public sector.”

Mike Teke, Group CEO of Seriti Resources, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative. “At Seriti Resources, we recognise that our responsibility as a mining company extends far beyond the life of our operations. The Arnot water treatment project is a clear demonstration of how we can honour our mine closure obligations while making a meaningful contribution to the environment and communities around us,” Teke said.

Teke also noted that clean and secure water systems are vital for South Africa’s future: “Through this partnership with Nafasi Water, we are taking tangible steps to protect one of the country’s most critical catchment areas. This is about ensuring that the legacy of Arnot Colliery is not only about powering the nation, but also about safeguarding natural resources for generations to come”.

This long-term water solution at Arnot will address the mine’s closure liabilities, significantly reduce environmental risk, and help protect critical local water systems in the Olifants River catchment. Industry observers note that it exemplifies how collaboration between a mining firm and a water technology partner can turn an environmental challenge into a sustainable asset. The Arnot project underscores Nafasi Water’s leadership in financing, constructing and operating mine-impacted water treatment plants, setting a benchmark for sustainable water infrastructure in the mining sector.

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