Case Study

Mandalay Resources RO Stability
Program

Functionalized magnetic nanomaterials deployed as inline pre-treatment
to reduce fouling and stabilize long-run RO operation.

CASE STUDY

Functionalised Nano-Material Pre-
Treatment for RO Stability at Mandalay
Resources

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Project Info Table
Client
Mandalay Resources
Location
Central Victoria, Australia
Duration
12-month pilot & operational phase
Application
Mine water treatment – RO pre-treatment using magnetic nanomaterials

Proven Results After 12 Months

↓ 70%
RO Membrane
Cleaning
BOD
↓ 33%
BOD Levels In
Feedwater
↓ 60%
Total Organic
Carbon
24 / 7
Continuous
Operation

Overview

In 2024, NanoTech Systems partnered with Mandalay Resources to address critical water
contamination issues affecting RO membrane lifespan and operational continuity at their gold-
antimony mine.

The site, constrained by dam capacity and escalating regulatory scrutiny, required a reliable solution
to treat highly variable and contaminated mine water. Feed water included brine from Mandalay's
existing RO plant, making it highly concentrated with contaminants.

Traditional pre-treatment methods had proven insufficient, leading to frequent RO fouling, high BOD loads, and unacceptable downtime. NanoTech deployed its advanced functionalised magnetic
nanomaterial system as a pre-treatment step ahead of RO processing to stabilise water quality for
sustained RO performance.

Objectives

01

Reduce Membrane Fouling

Reduce biological and chemical fouling on RO membranes caused by high organic and contaminant loads in mine feed water.

02

Lower BOD & Organic Loads

Lower Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and total organic carbon in feedwater to protect downstream RO performance.

03

Demonstrate Nanoscale Reliability

Demonstrate the reliability of a nanoscale pre-treatment step in a real-world mining context under variable feed conditions.

04

Enable Continuous RO Operation

Enable near-continuous RO operation at commercial flow rates, reducing downtime and increasing throughput.

Solution Deployed

NanoTech's treatment train included a magnetic separator and proprietary functionalised nanomaterials designed to bind with specific contaminants – primarily organic compounds. The treatment occurred inline prior to RO, with magnetically loaded contaminant particles removed via high-gradient separation.

The system was configured for:

1,000 L/min

Maximum Flow Rate

1 ML/day

Treatment Capacity

Rapid

On-site Deployability

Key Learnings

  • Functionalised nanomaterials are highly effective at removing target organics prior to RO.
  • Magnetic separation offers a low-waste, low-chemical alternative to conventional methods.
  • Pre-treatment stabilises downstream performance, extending RO asset life.
  • Ideal for sites with contaminant-specific challenges in mining, industrial reuse, and agriculture.
Industrial power line landscape
Conclusion
The Mandalay deployment marks a significant milestone in practical application of magnetic nanomaterial treatment. Over 12 months, NanoTech's solution enabled stable, continuous RO operation of highly concentrated contaminated water in harsh conditions. For clients dealing with persistent organic, nutrient, or heavy metal loads, this case study provides a clear roadmap: nanomaterials, when functionally engineered and deployed at scale, change the economics and reliability of water purification.