Abstract Summary
The LIFE BRINE-MINING project (LIFE18 ENV/GR/000019) is a European Commission-funded initiative demonstrating an innovative Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system for coal mine wastewater treatment. Over its 64-month duration (2019–2024) and with a budget of €6.4 million, the project has developed and tested a system that enables high water recovery and the production of marketable salts, minimizing environmental impacts. The system integrates multiple advanced treatment technologies, including Ultrafiltration, Multivalent Ion Removal, Nanofiltration, Electrodialysis, Reverse Osmosis, Evaporation, and Crystallization, and has been piloted at the Ziemowit coal mine in Poland. A key outcome of the project was the development of a holistic business and value model, aligning technological feasibility with market needs. This was achieved through a design cycle methodology, incorporating technical, financial, and policy aspects. A comprehensive market analysis (SWOT, PEST, and Porter’s Five Forces) identified key barriers, competitive dynamics, and regulatory drivers, emphasizing the role of stricter wastewater discharge policies in supporting technology adoption. Furthermore, stakeholder-driven iterative validation refined the business model, ensuring alignment with industry needs and investment feasibility. One of the most significant challenges was estimating the Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) for full-scale implementation, given the scale-up factor of over 1,000 from the prototype. To address this, a methodology was developed using data gathered from project partners, industry interviews, and literature review, including cost estimation principles from Peters et al.'s "Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers". The financial evaluation considered CAPEX, Operational Expenses (OPEX), Revenues, Net Present Value (NPV), and Circular Water Value, with best- and worst-case scenarios assessed. Additionally, the selection of a discount rate was crucial to avoid inaccurate conclusions. The Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) was used as a more comprehensive discount rate, considering both equity and debt financing, ensuring a realistic reflection of investment risks and returns. However, challenges remain. The ongoing transition away from coal mining creates investment uncertainties, necessitating strong policy frameworks to drive adoption. Additionally, while financial models provide valuable insights, full-scale deployment introduces variables that require further validation, particularly concerning operating expenses and revenue streams. LIFE BRINE-MINING demonstrates a replicable model for sustainable brine management, showcasing how specific industrial wastewater can be transformed into valuable resources, supporting both environmental goals and the circular economy. Keywords: wastewater treatment, Zero Liquid Discharge, circular economy, coal mining, resource recovery, brine management, techno-economic analysis.
