Launch of the Rhodes BioSURE® Process

 

History was made in South Africa on 18 January 2005 with the launch of the first full-scale plant in the world using the Rhodes BioSURE® process, a locally-developed, first-of-its-kind solution for treating acid mine water drainage. The Rhodes BioSURE® process is the most cost-effective biological treatment option developed to date for reducing sulphates in acid mine water without the external addition of chemicals. The new plant construction at Ancor Sewage Works, near Springs, was launched by Professor Dennis Goldberg, Special Advisor to the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Buyelwa Patience Sonjica.

 

Developed by Rhodes University’s Environmental Biotechnology Research Unit over the past eight years with the support of the Water Research Commission, ERWAT and BioPAD, the Rhodes BioSURE®  Process removes sulphate from acid rich mine water. Instead of expensive carbon and electron donor sources, primary sewage sludge, a by-product from ERWAT, is being used. Together, the two waste products ensure improved water quality before being discharged into the Blesbokspruit Ramsar site. At the same time, safe and stable biosolids are produced.

 

The WRC CEO, Dr Rivka Kfir, was one of the speakers at this event. The technical presentation was done by Prof Peter Rose of Rhodes University. Prof Rose was the project leader of this project. Guests were entertained by the TWC theatre group.

 

The WRC is the patent holder of patents covering the BioSURE® technology. The WRC and Erwat have signed a licence agreement, enabling Erwat to exploit the BioSURE®  technology.

 

Prof Dennis Goldberg	Prof Peter Rose	Rivka Kfir (WRC) and Pat Twala (Erwat)		TWC Theatre Group enacting BioSURE® process
	(double-click on the pictures to enlarge the view)