Sustainable water management a priority for miners: survey

 By Richard Roberts, Editorial Director, Beacon Events

Results of a survey of more than 60 Asia Pacific mining executives indicate critical mine water management planning is increasingly being influenced by industry recognition of environmental and cultural values of First Nations peoples.

Nearly all respondents to the survey by global infrastructure services group Black & Veatch emphasised the importance of securing alignment and support from local and First Nations communities on project design and water stewardship initiatives.

Half the respondents indicated such support was “extremely important”.

Black & Veatch said more than 80% of respondents to its new survey said sustainable water management was one of the leading sustainability priorities for their organisation.

Ensuring sustainable water use and supply, and eliminating water pollution, were identified as the most readily addressable sustainability issues.

“The outcomes of unmanaged water issues can result in significant delays to project approvals, impacts to operational productivity, flood damage to critical infrastructure, mining-related impacts to environmental and cultural values, and future closure liabilities,” said Mick Scrivens, vice president, director, Australia Pacific, Black & Veatch.

“Prioritising a stewardship approach using integrated and sustainable water solutions will return dividends for the environment, local communities, mining companies and the broader industry.”

Positive steps taken by mining companies over the years include replacing unsustainable groundwater supplies with desalination sources, improving focus on water recycling and initiatives to reduce operational water intensity, and improving tailings management practices, according to Black & Veatch.

“The drivers for water management in the mining industry have shifted over the last 10 years, from meeting operational needs and towards solutions that deliver real outcomes in water stewardship and sustainable practice,” said Garrick Field, the company’s solutions director, Industrial Water and Mining.

However, only 43% of respondents confirmed their organisations had made commitments regarding the use of water, suggesting there were

“opportunities for mining companies to improve translation of corporate-level water stewardship commitments into well-understood, executable and impactful actions in the field”.

Black & Veatch’s “Water for Mining in Australia” ebook can be downloaded here.

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