The End of Wet Mining? How Dry Technologies Are Solving the Industry’s Water Challenge
Key Takeaway Mining is approaching a turning point as water scarcity, regulatory pressure, and growing tailings risks push operators toward dry processing. Dry filtration, closed-loop water systems, and advanced separation are enabling significant water savings and safer tailings structures. This shift signals real momentum behind The End of Wet Mining? How Dry Technologies Are Solving the Industry’s Water Challenge. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that industries consume billions of gallons of freshwater daily, placing a new strain on supply in drought-prone regions. As water access becomes more unpredictable and regulations tighten, mining companies are increasingly pressured to reduce their dependence on water-heavy processes and explore more resilient dry technologies. The rising cost of water dependence Water was once considered a manageable operational input. Today, it is a strategic risk. Drought cycles, community expectations, and tightening environmental rules mean th...