Mining companies need to start investigating and implementing a measured system to reduce their dependence on external water sources to maintain and ensure the sustainability of their operations going into the future, says engineering solutions provider WSP principal associate Priyal Dama-Fakir.

She adds that there is already pressure on mining companies to reduce their water consumption, and it can only be expected to increase over time.

“In Africa especially, we are seeing a decline in fresh water to meet basic human and ecological needs,” explains Dama-Fakir.

She says that with water being a necessity in the daily life of humans, it is a key component within the reporting standards pertaining to the environment, social impact and governance (ESG), and will have a large impact on the environment surrounding communities.

Dama-Fakir explains that the environmental implications of inadequate mine water management on the surrounding ecosystems and communities are significant, while poor water management can also have a direct impact on available clean water within catchment areas, by reducing the volume of water available and negatively impact downstream users. Reduced volumetric flow and contamination of streams not only impacts on the water body but extends into the surrounding ecosystem as well.

Reducing Fresh Water Use

She notes that the first step to effectively manage water resources is to know how much water a mine site is consuming, the manner in which it is consumed and how water is being lost or released during operations.

This can be done by having a well-thought-out monitoring network and central repository for the data coupled with a site-wide water and salt balance to have an understanding of water consumption on-site.

“Tracking trends and understanding how water is being lost from a system, where water is being used and at what volumes, can aid in the identification of areas of improvement,” says Dama-Fakir.

She comments that a “fit for purpose” study could aid in the search for opportunities in the reduction of water intake, while also serving to identify areas of improvement regarding the reuse and recycling of water on-site.

“In this study, we identify all water resources, both in terms of quality and quantity, such as a groundwater ingress in mine workings or rainfall and run-off captured in contaminated areas before proceeding to list all water uses, while looking at the quality and possible constraints,” explains Dama-Fakir.

She continues, explaining that WSP will then match the water uses available with seasonal variations taken into consideration, to provide clients with recommendations on where and how to reuse water effectively and efficiently on-site.

“This process has proven to reduce freshwater consumption, and in some cases, has reduced the required volume of water for treatment and treatment costs, introducing the reuse of primary treated water with simple filtration,” notes Dama-Fakir.

Economic Implications for Mines

Meanwhile, she points out that investors have become more environmentally conscious and are becoming more informed and concerned on the environmental impacts of using fresh water in mining.

“Most mining companies need to demonstrate responsible water management to access the funds required to develop new projects and expand existing operations,” says Dama-Fakir.

She explains that mining companies have started investing more in the training of staff for ESG reporting and the assigning of competent professionals to be responsible for it; while in some companies, key performance indicators are no longer only focused on production but meeting environmental compliance and achieving water stewardship targets.

Dama-Fakir suggests that collaboration can aid companies in cost reduction and that working within an ecosystem presents solutions that can meet the needs of companies, surrounding communities and downstream users.

“In South Africa, there are catchment forums that meet regularly to discuss matters concerning water resources within the catchment area,” she highlights. Dama-Fakir adds that mines use these forums to discuss new developments, present findings of their environmental monitoring and create an awareness around water management practices.

She notes that new projects and the expansion of projects require companies to have water use licenses and environmental impact assessments for these projects to proceed, and that the regulator requires consultations with those interested and affected by these projects, such as surrounding businesses and other mines in the catchment area.

The increased emphasis on water stewardship in the mining sector will not only enable mines to manage water more effectively but will also assist in the improved water management for societal needs.