How was 2024 for Veolia?

In 2024, Veolia achieved another year of record revenue. The company broadened its range of water treatment solutions specifically designed for mining, emphasizing sustainable water management, water reuse, and the treatment of challenging effluents.

How has the use of Veolia’s solutions evolved at mining operations?

The use of Veolia’s solutions at mining operations has evolved from basic water treatment years ago to a much more comprehensive and integrated approach. Initially focused on treating mine water discharge, Veolia now provides complete water management solutions including process water treatment, tailings dewatering, water reuse systems, wastewater treatment and zero liquid discharge technologies dealing with multiple complex constituents of concern. Our solutions have adapted to address stricter environmental regulations, water scarcity challenges, and the industry's push for sustainability.

Are commodity prices affecting demand for Veolia’s solutions?

We are seeing major activity especially in the gold sector and critical minerals, as shifting geopolitical and market conditions have led to increased interest in these types of projects. While investment in lithium projects has slowed, there has been continued progress in other metals such as copper and rare earth elements. Québec also remains a significant source of other battery and critical minerals activity, including projects related to nickel and phosphate, while companies continue to push for investment.

How does Veolia’s GreenUp strategic program support sustainability in the mining industry?

Veolia’s GreenUp strategic program supports the adoption of advanced water management, waste reduction and decarbonization solutions to help mines to operate more sustainably and meet environmental regulations. We also support clients in reducing their environmental footprint through solutions for treating acid mine drainage, recovering valuable by-products, and achieving zero liquid discharge. Digital tools and real-time monitoring are being used to optimize water management and energy use. We collaborate with mining companies to help them meet stricter environmental regulations and adopt circular economy principles, supporting the GreenUp program’s goals of accelerating ecological transformation and promoting sustainable mining practices.

What value can mineral recovery add to mining operations?

Mineral recovery brings significant value to mining operations by creating new revenue streams through extracting valuable minerals and metals from waste streams that would otherwise be discarded. It also reduces environmental impact and disposal costs by minimizing waste volume, helps meet environmental regulations by removing contaminants from discharge water, and improves overall resource efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the sale of recovered materials can offset water treatment costs, and the process enables recovery of critical minerals that may have been overlooked in primary processing. These economic benefits are especially notable when recovering high-value materials such as rare earth elements, precious metals, or lithium from process streams or tailings.

What specific challenges does Québec present in water and wastewater management?

Veolia is constantly developing technologies to drive a sustainable future for mine operations. Here in Québec, water is abundant, making water discharge an environmental challenge. We help to ensure that clients can meet and exceed the demands of their local communities and environmental regulatory frameworks, which have become increasingly stringent.

How are Veolia’s solutions making mining operations more resilient to climate change?

Climate change is affecting Québec’s winters, from extreme to extreme – some are much shorter than those past, while others are truly brutal. One area Veolia can really help mining operations become more resilient is with our mobile water fleet and its ability to respond quickly to weather events. Whether due to early ice melt, large snow accumulation, or heavy rainfall, conditions at an operation can change rapidly and unexpectedly, requiring fast response to get water off-site. On the other end of the scale, occasional drought conditions can result in limits being imposed on operators’ water use, causing heightened concentrations and demanding careful treatment. Whether as a short- or long-term solution, our mobile units offer the flexibility needed for mines’ water management.

What will you be focusing on for the rest of 2025?

Clients in eastern Canada are increasingly focused on treating complex contaminants like selenium, arsenic, and nitrates, and improving acid mine drainage management. Veolia is responding by expanding digital water management, advancing sustainable treatment technologies aligned with the GreenUp program, strengthening mineral recovery, enhancing zero liquid discharge solutions, growing in key mining regions, and innovating in tailings management and water reuse.