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A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

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Mt WHALEBACK MINE<br />

F:\Jobs\740\Newman WS\Eng\Water Recycl<strong>in</strong>g Scheme.doc<br />

Figure 4.22 – Mt Whaleback water supply system<br />

LEGEND<br />

PIT DEWATERING BORES<br />

STORAGE TANK<br />

TRANSFER PIPELINE ( ‘E-LINE” )<br />

OB 25 TRANSFER PUMP STATION<br />

Integration of the operational water supply system with<strong>in</strong> the regional supply<br />

system provides benefits. In Weipa, selective use of different water sources has<br />

improved water security, reduced costs through <strong>in</strong>creased reuse and benefited the<br />

reputation of the operation (see LP Water p.52). Bauxite m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g operations at Rio<br />

T<strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> Alum<strong>in</strong>ium Weipa occur <strong>in</strong> a region of water excess, due <strong>to</strong> the tropical and<br />

monsoonal climate. The m<strong>in</strong>e has multiple sources of water <strong>to</strong> draw from, each of<br />

which has its associated costs and additional values. The four ma<strong>in</strong> sources are<br />

decant water from the tail<strong>in</strong>gs dam; site ra<strong>in</strong>fall runoff captured <strong>in</strong> ‘slots’ and other<br />

small s<strong>to</strong>rages across the m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g lease; shallow aquifers underly<strong>in</strong>g the area; and the<br />

deeper aquifers of the Great Artesian Bas<strong>in</strong>. Availability of the different sources can<br />

vary dur<strong>in</strong>g the year, particularly the first two sources.<br />

In other situations, such <strong>in</strong>tegration offers <strong>in</strong>creased efficiency and opportunities <strong>in</strong><br />

terms of water trad<strong>in</strong>g, particularly with respect <strong>to</strong> waters of differ<strong>in</strong>g quality. For<br />

example, the cost of plant modifications <strong>to</strong> use poor quality water may be off-set<br />

by ga<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> trad<strong>in</strong>g good quality water entitlements <strong>to</strong> other users. Similarly, water<br />

shar<strong>in</strong>g arrangements between adjacent m<strong>in</strong>es may reduce the burden on one <strong>to</strong><br />

dispose of excess water, allow the second <strong>to</strong> access the worked water and thereby<br />

potentially free up fresh water for other uses <strong>in</strong> the catchment. This type of approach<br />

is <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> application <strong>in</strong> the Hunter Valley <strong>in</strong> NSW, for example.<br />

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HOMESTEAD CREEK<br />

XD 57<br />

STORAGE TANK<br />

NEWMAN TOWN<br />

OREBODY 25 pit 3<br />

WHALEBACK CREEK<br />

Orebody 25<br />

Transfer Pump<br />

Station<br />

126 LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY<br />

Orebody 23<br />

OPTHALMIA DAM<br />

OB23 / OB25 Pit 3 Water Recycl<strong>in</strong>g Scheme<br />

Figure 1

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