W A T E R Water and Mining Standards

Without a doubt, water is life! As a result, there is literally no human activity that can survive without it. Access to clean drinking water and sanitation worldwide is a challenge and is acknowledged as such by the United Nations (UN) amongst others and falls squarely under SDG 6 The UN estimates that as many as one in three people (33%) are still affected by a lack of safely managed drinking water, and two out of five people (40%) do not have access to adequate handwashing facilities.

Africa is stated to hold 65% of the world’s arable land and some 10% of the world’s fresh water Thus, it is not surprising that Africa is considered attractive for investments including mining In mining, water is used for making solutions, washing away gravel and sand, transportation, dilution, cooling and dust control. Hatch (www.hatch.com) describes water as critical to the mining industry!

Thus, with mining being in generally remote, and sometimes water-stressed areas, the mining and metals industry has an important role to play in facilitating change by developing and implementing sustainable water management solutions that benefit not only the mining operation but also people and the planet. Climate Change experts also express that with global temperatures rising, high numbers of individuals will be affected by drought, most notably from some of the already poorest countries in the world possibly resulting in famine and malnutrition

Noting these effects and impacts, Governments as identified by The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), are in the position to establish regulations and policies that require monitoring and reporting of water impacts from mining entities Water use and water quality standards are needed and enforced so that mining does not negatively impact communities

Through what can only be termed as a collective action, International Council on Mining and Minerals (ICMM) members have signed on to the ICMM Mining Principles to apply strong and transparent water governance; manage water at operations effectively; and to collaborate to achieve responsible and sustainable water use This can be deemed “proactivity”

Understanding the need for action, several mining establishments have interacted with community water needs through “swapping”, increased water harvesting, and reduced water use strategies Here are some example extracts from Mining that help us better understand what they do:

South Africa: Utilising mine-impacted water for local farming in Mpumalanga

Large portions of land that could be used for farming are located near sources of mine-impacted water In making remediated mine water available to farmers in the region, Glencore is directly benefiting local communities, while also reducing shared pressures on freshwater resources.

Large portions of land that could be used for farming are located near sources of mine-impacted water In making remediated mine water available to farmers in the region, Glencore is directly benefiting local communities, while also reducing shared pressures on freshwater resources.

DRC: Creating access to fresh water for local communities at the Kibali Gold Mine At the Kibali Gold, Mine operator, Barrick developed and delivered on a plan, alongside local communities, to drill more than 100 new boreholes and upgrade many more to provide ready access to potable water for the communities closest to their operations

Peru: Utilising water for mining and local farming at the Quellaveco Copper Mine in

Using this low-quality water for mining purposes frees up other better-quality water for agriculture The Quellaveco site also captures excess rainwater in its Vizachas dam, which it shares with local communities, to increase shared access to high-quality water

Chile: achieving 100 percent seawater use at Minera Centinela

By using 100 percent seawater, the mine site also contributes to Antofagasta Minerals’ goal that more than 90 percent of the water used in its operations will be from the sea or recycled sources by 2025

Do you think governments and mining houses could do more? The conversation continues briefing@rdjpublishing.africa or write to the Editor. All views welcomed.

Readings: https://www hatch com/AboutUs/Publications/Blogs/2020/06/Sustainable-watermanagement-in-mining-a-global-imperative https://www icmm com/en-gb/casestudies/2023/itacaiunas-river-basin https://www.unicef.org/laos/stories/ending-opendefecation-cleaner-and-healthier-villages https://www icmm com/en-gb/casestudies/2022/environmental-stewardship/mining-withprinciples-at-wonderfontein-colliery https://www publish csiro au/ebook/chapter/97806431 03283 Chapter 10 https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-02/watermonitoring-mining-sector-framework.pdf