A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Leading practice operations make this selection by means of a risk-based assessment
of key aspects of water management (as demonstrated in the Rio Tinto diagnostic
case study). Typical tasks and responsibilities relating to water management on a
mine site are illustrated in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 - Typical tasks and responsibilities for each of the
teams managing water on mining operations
Area TASK
Corporate Development of strategic water management plan
Engagement with government—approvals
Formulation of sustainable development strategy—including compliance and external
reporting
Formulation and communication of company-wide strategies, processes and plans
Mining/operations Managing storages, roads and drainage to meet licence regulatory
requirements (not necessarily—may be environment)
Development of site water management plans and balances
Water risk assessment and management
Supply/demand management
Pit and advance mining dewatering
Flood and drought management contingency plans
Dust suppression (typically roads, stockpiles and conveyors)
Vehicle wash down (minor)
Building and maintenance works
Closure implementation—water and tailings
Fire and potable water
Mineral handling and
processing
Environment and
community
Separation of mineral and gangue materials
Tailings and reject management
Process water and recycling management
Dust suppression—stockpiles, conveyor and drainage of industrial area
Rehabilitation planning
Closure planning
Water flow and quality monitoring
Onsite and surrounding ecosystems management
Participating in regional and local water planning
Engagement with TOs, NGOs, key stakeholders
Corporate reporting—internal and external
The design and performance of the water management system at any given
operation will be a function of the corporate, legislative, climatic and local
community environments in which they operate. Water management will only
improve with the personal leadership and specific mandate of executive management
and the proactive commitment of those directly responsible for managing water at
the operation; that is, the site manager and team.
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 123