PROJECTS
Water
Concern over water issues has increased worldwide because of ongoing severe drought conditions in many countries; increased global concern over the provision of fresh water to a growing population; and climate change related risks around water.
With this in mind, two of the main drivers for our work around water issues are that:
- Water scarcity, pollution and competition issues are growing in importance in many regions around the world.
- There are significant ‘bottom-line’ impacts that these issues can have on mining operations.
In 2008, ICMM commissioned a scoping exercise on water and mining. It showed that over the last five years the thinking and actions on water management in the mining industry have matured.
However, the progress is still uneven and much remains to be done to develop broad societal confidence in the industry as a responsible water user; ensuring that water is not a barrier to maintaining the social license to operate.
Summary: A scoping paper on international water issues for mining (PDF)
What is ICMM doing?
As a result of the scoping exercise, we have given priority to work on water accounting. That is, we are developing a system of common tools and vocabulary for:
- understanding an operation’s water balance, and
- helping operations communicate more effectively on water.
Much work has already been done on this topic, notably the framework for water reporting and accounting ( www.wateraccounting.net.au ) developed by the Minerals Council of Australia with the Sustainable Minerals Institute.
In 2010, we will build on this work and pilot it for international applicability.
There are also several international initiatives on water accounting. One of the best known ones is the Water Footprint Network which is developing a global, cross-sector methodology to water footprint accounting. In this context, ICMM is also seeking to generate a better understanding of water accounting that is meaningful for the mining industry.
About this project
Water issues have become increasing relevant to ongoing severe drought conditions in many countries; global concern over the provision of fresh water to a growing population; and climate change.
- Contact
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Good Practice Guidance for Mining and Biodiversity
Read more
Download PDF
-
Policy on Climate Change
» Download PDF
» Read more -
Planning for Integrated Mine Closure: Toolkit
» Download PDF
» Read more -
ICMM Newsletter - December 2009
» Download PDF -
2008 IUCN-ICMM Roundtable on Restoration of Legacy Sites
» Download PDF -
ICMM Newsletter: Volume 5 Number 2 - Jun 2006
» Download PDF -
ICMM Position Statement on Climate Change
» Download PDF -
Guidance Paper: Financial Assurance for Mine Closure and Reclamation
» Download PDF
» Read more -
Financial Assurance for Metals Operations - Summary Paper
» Download PDF
» Read more -
Biodiversity Offsets - A Briefing Paper for the Mining Industry
» Download PDF
» Read more
RELATED LINKS
- ICMM Council calls for joint action on climate change
- ICMM launches Portuguese version of mine closure toolkit in Brazil
- Vale's mine closure and rehabilitation centre - Córrego do Meio
- ICMM a key contributor to IUCN's World Conservation Congress
- ICMM publishes Closure toolkit
- Argentine NGO bases environmental training course on ICMM biodiversity guide
- Social risks in the spotlight in Panama
- ICMM in mine closure talks in India
- Improving fresh water efficiency in Chile's Andean mountains
- Improving coverage of biodiversity in EIAs
- Water Accounting
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 06:
Seek continual improvement of our environmental performance
© International Council on Mining and Metals 2010 │Terms and Conditions │Privacy Policy