MALDIVES –The Chinese government signed an $11.8 million agreement, the Implementation Contract for China-Aided Project on Micro-grid Seawater Desalination in Maldives, to build desalination plants in five islands across the Maldives. Under the agreement with the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, micro-grid seawater desalination facilities will be established on: Kaashidhoo in Kaafu Atoll, Olhuvelifushi in Lhaviyani Atoll, Kelaa in Haa Alif Atoll, Alifushi in Raa Atoll and Dhaandhoo in Gaafu Alif Atoll. (The Edition)
AUSTRALIA – Researchers from Monash University in Melbourne have developed a technology that utilizes specially-designed filters consisting of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and may be capable of generating hundreds of litres of drinkable water per day, requiring only direct sunlight to purify it.
During the desalination process, a functionalised MOF filter first adsorbs salts from water. The salt filled MOF can then be put under sunlight to regenerate in less than four minutes, before it can adsorb salt from water again. According to Professor Huanting Wang from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Monash University, the findings demonstrate that the photo responsive MOFs are a promising, energy-efficient and sustainable adsorbent for desalination. (Xinhuanet)
U.S.A. – Corpus Christi City Council decided that a proposal to build a desalination plant will not go on the November 3 ballot, as a group of petitioners failed to collect enough signatures to put the proposal to a vote. The city is considering two desalination plants for the region, one within the city limits and the other in San Patricio County. The city is pursuing a $222.5 million dollar loan from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas loan program to begin construction on the first of the proposed projects. The combined cost for the city’s desalination projects was estimated at $1.3 billion in 2018. (Caller Times)
CHILE – BHP’s Spence Growth Option copper project in northern Chile has been potentially delayed until March 2021, due to the pandemic. The workforce for the project has been reduced from 7,000 to 2,500 during the last five months. First production is now expected between December 2020 and March 2021. The project includes a desalination facility and commission of the plant is expected to occur in the first half of the 2021 financial year, according to BHP’s operational review released in June. The plant will cost $620 million and the construction has been awarded to a joint venture formed by Mitsui and Tedagua. (BNamericas)
The Spence Copper Mine, Chile. Credit International Mining
SAUDI ARABIA – The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is soon to announce the result of bids submitted in March for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the planned Yanbu 1 desalination plant. The three teams that submitted bids included: Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Company/Metito; Acciona / Saudi Services for Electromechanical Works; Abengoa / Doosan. The Yanbu 1 reverse osmosis desalination facility will have a capacity of 250,000 m3/d.
SWCC is also planning two other desalination plants: Shuqaiq 4 and Shuaiba 5 and is expecting to receive bids by 26 August for the 400,000 m3/d and 600,000 m3/d plants respectively. The tender closing date for the contract to develop the Jubail 3B IWP project in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province has been extended to 1 October by Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC). (Water Technology)