A new survey by Black & Veatch suggests that sustainable water management solutions should be a priority for Australia’s mining industry.
The mining industry significantly influences the quality and quantity of water resources, which has led to increased demand for transparency and disclosure on water use and management.
According to the survey, 80% of the companies questioned agreed that sustainable water management is a leading priority for the Australian mining industry.
However, more than half of the respondents were unsure whether their company had water sustainability commitments in place, with only 43% confirming their company made such commitments. The survey polled 63 senior industry executives from across Asia-Pacific.
For Mick Scrivens, vice-president and director (Australia Pacific) at Black & Veatch, sustainable water management is essential for Australia’s mining industry as it can delay future projects. He said: “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.”
Scrivens indicated that prioritising integrated and sustainable water management solutions will benefit not only Australia’s mining companies but also “the environment, local communities and the broader mining industry”.
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By GlobalData
The survey highlights a clear opportunity for mining companies around the world to improve and implement measures to ensure water sustainability, but these measures must be clear and easy to execute for companies.
The International Council for Mining and Metals (ICMM) has set up the ICMM Water Stewardship Framework that helps companies find practical and convenient solutions for sustainable water management.
