Minerals Council of Australia:
Environment & Social
The Strategic Water Management in the Minerals Industry - A Framework is a publication produced jointly by the Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR) and the Minerals Council of Australia.
This Strategic Framework for Water Management in the Minerals Industry aims to:
Promote a strategic approach to water management at mining and processing sites so that water is more efficiently managed and valued as a vital business, community and environmental asset.
Reliable access to water, its management and disposal, is critical for Australian mining and processing sites. Given growing public concern about water resources, the minerals industry has an urgent need to demonstrate, and be recognised for, responsible water management. Effective performance in this regard will help the industry maintain its social licence to operate and continue to grow.
This framework sets out the strategic issues that minerals operations need to consider for responsible water management at a site and corporate level in order to manage risks and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. It provides high level guidance on issues that should be addressed in developing a water strategy for a business.
These issues are addressed in four chapters: Valuing Water; Strategic Water Planning; Implementation; and Engaging Stakeholders. Case studies show leading examples of how applying the framework can result in social benefits, environmental improvement and enhanced business value.
> Download: Strategic Water Management in the Minerals Industry - A Framework > (pdf:1.1mb)
In 2008 the leading practice booklet for water management in the
minerals industry was published by the Commonwealth Department of
Resources, Energy and Tourism, following a collaborative effort
involving academic, government and industry representatives. It
provides an up-to-date source of information that seeks to build on
the strategic framework (above), and the minesite water management
handbook (below).
This handbook was prepared in 1997 as a companion document to the AMIC (now the Minerals Council of Australia) Rehabilitation Handbook (AMIC 1990). This handbook was developed for those who are not familiar with the fundamentals, processes and requirements (both technical and legislative) of water management for mining purposes, and for those site personnel with limited or no experience or training in water management from an environmental perspective.
Although some of the material within the handbook is now out-dated, here at the MCA we receive requests for copies every year. It remains a solid platform for key technical issues surrounding water management at a mine site, whilst the strategic elements have been reinforced with more recent frameworks (see above and Enduring Value). Therefore, instead of re-printing it in hard copies, we have transcribed it into electronic format.
Disclaimer
This Minesite Water Management Handbook (the Handbook) has been prepared by the Minerals Council of Australia in the interests of encouraging excellence in environmental management. However, the Minerals Council of Australia accepts no liability (including liability in negligence) and takes no responsibility for any loss or damage which a user of the Handbook or any third party may suffer or incur as a result of reliance on the Handbook and in particular for:
(a) any errors or omissions in the Handbook;
(b) any inaccuracy in the information and data on which the Handbook is based or which is contained in the Handbook;
(c) any interpretations or opinions stated in, or which may be inferred from, the Handbook.
In 2008 the first edition was transcribed into electronic format, without consideration of the accuracy or currency of the content. Users should note that in some areas of the book, more recent publications (post 1997) provide updated technical information.
Download Complete Handbook:
Minesite Water Management Handbook
Download by section:
Contents
Introduction
Glossary
References
Chapters
Chapter 2 (Statutory Requirements)
Chapter 3 (Planning and Principles)
Chapter 4 (Water Chemistry)
Chapter 5 (Water Sampling and Flow Measurement)
Chapter 6 (Water Supply)
Chapter 7 (Exploration)
Chapter 8 (Open Cut Mines)
Chapter 9 (Underground Mines)
Chapter 10 (Heap Leach Processes)
Chapter 11 (Waste Dumps)
Chapter 12 (Tailings Water Management)
Chapter 13 (Mine Infrastructure)
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet 1 (Field Record Data Sheets)
Fact Sheet 2 (Estimation of Surface Runoff)
Fact Sheet 3 (Understanding Event Probability)
Fact Sheet 4 (Open Channel Drains)
Fact Sheet 5 (Construction of Small Earth Embankment Dams)
Fact Sheet 6 (Culvert Crossings)
Fact Sheet 7 (Acid Drainage)
Fact Sheet 8 (Erosion Control and Sediment Containment)
Fact Sheet 9 (Bioremediation Technology)
Fact Sheet 10 (Hydrological Data for Design Purposes)
Fact Sheet 11 (Groundwater)
Fact Sheet 12 (Numerical Modelling)
