The new minerals industry Water Accounting Framework - User Guide Version 2.0 has been released
The Minerals Council of Australia Water Accounting Framework (WAF) was developed specifically for water accounting in the mining and metals industry.
The WAF provides a consistent, but flexible approach to water accounting that can be adapted to a range of mining related contexts to optimise water management.
The framework is also scalable. WAF information can be used to support a variety of operational and corporate water reporting needs.
It is a tool that provides a consistent approach to understanding, benchmarking and communicating operational, regional and corporate level water use.
The framework was adopted in 2011 as the culmination of more than six years of work by the MCA, University of Queensland Sustainable Minerals Institute and industry to develop a common industry approach to water accounting.
Since its release, the WAF has been integrated into national and international reporting frameworks including the International Council on Mining and Metals Water Reporting: Good practice guide and the Global Reporting Initiative requirements.
User Guide 2.0 provides additional clarity, practical examples and references, and updated terminology to ensure consistency with global definitions. It includes an improved approach to understanding water use efficiency and water quality categorisation to support better communication of industry water use.
These changes build on the existing WAF concepts to provide continuity with past accounts.
Any questions regarding the update or information regarding WAF implementation can be directed to info@minerals.org.au.
