HIGH PROFILE
The power of collaboration in sustainable change
To coincide with this months water management theme , Dr Hubert Fleming , Anglo American ’ s Global Lead for Water Management , outlines the mining group ’ s approach to water stewardship and sustainability
Industrial water usage continues to be a hot topic , as people , countries and companies around the world seek to address the challenge facing global water security . It is predicted that by 2025 , at least two thirds of the world ’ s population will face ‘ water stress ’ 1 ; defined as when the demand for water exceeds its availability or poor water quality limits its use . While the future of water security in this sense may seem bleak , it is not foregone and industrial companies are working toward a more sustainable future for the resource .
Water is of critical importance to mining in particular ; most mining operations are located in water scare areas and without it , these operations would not be possible . Faced with the conundrum of the need to both use and conserve this precious resource , the responsible management of water by mining companies is more critical than ever . The mining industry is increasingly driving forward to achieve sustainable change and is helping to address the challenge of water shortages faced around the world . Collaboration and investment in innovative technology is key to making a real difference in conserving a source so vital to the world .
Anglo American has long been a leader in water sustainability and is a champion of making its mining operations as environmentally friendly as possible . Since 2012 , the company has achieved water savings equivalent to 54,200 Olympic size swimming pools or the annual consumption of drinking water for around 148 million people . 2 As demonstrated in previous reports and its recent 16th annual Sustainability Report , “ Delivering Change , Building Resilience , Working in Partnership ”, Anglo American ’ s strong sustainability strategy continues this year as the company embraces innovation to ensure its operations are less water-dependent , as well as safer and more energy-efficient .
The power of collaboration
As part of its ambitious sustainability strategy and its drive towards innovative mining , Anglo American is developing partnerships with a number of groups and is seeking to deliver real value and a positive impact to local communities and stakeholders through working together . With 75 % of Anglo American ’ s mining operations located in high water-risk regions 3 , the provision of water-related infrastructure that directly benefits communities is a priority at several of its operations where water scarcity is a prevalent challenge . This also presents Anglo American with an opportunity to play a leadership role in its water catchments , as demonstrated by its recent partnership with the International Council of Mining and Metals ( ICMM ).
In 2014 , the ICMM developed a new water stewardship framework to create a new catchment-based strategy to mitigate shared water challenges . Collaboration and engagement with all relevant stakeholders was at the heart of this approach . President of the ICMM R . Anthony Hodge has highlighted the power of working together : “ Through collaborating or partnering with others to mitigate shared risks , address shared impacts and effect the responsible management of water resources , the industry has an opportunity to play a leadership role in local water catchments where operations are located .” In 2015 , the ICMM selected Anglo American ’ s Brazilian operation Minas-Rio to collaborate with them in the first application of this guidance and the project was brought to life in 2016 .
The pilot of this project has led Anglo American to develop a new water management standard and water management guidelines in alignment with global best practice and the ICMM water reporting guidelines . A cornerstone of the new standard is a more focused and structured approach to managing catchment-wide water risks in partnership with regional stakeholders . The standard requires that every site identify or appoint a water coordinator to oversee the implementation
At the Quellaveco copper project in Peru , Process Manager Gonzalo Manrique uses a model of the proposed mine and processing facilities to ‘ dialogue table ’ representatives from the local Moquegua community
of the standards , leading each business to develop and implement its own water plan and in certain high-risk regions , draft regional water plans . The development of these regional water plans means the immediate priorities involve making sure that local needs are not compromised , whilst ensuring that mining operations have access to adequate supplies of water .
This collaboration with ICMM is just one example of how Anglo American is working to ensure its mining operations are sustainable . In fact , Anglo American participates in several important waterrelated fora , such as the Strategic Water Partners Network ( SWPN ) programme , which is aimed at addressing South Africa ’ s water shortages . Also in South Africa , the company participated in a consortium that assesses acid mine drainage in the Olifants driver catchment in Mpumalanga , including the feasibility of applying mine-impacted water for irrigation purposes . It also recently participated in the Olifants River Catchment Management Forum , established with other mining companies . In Peru , the Quellaveco copper project engages local communities in monitoring its water management practices , and is examining options for providing water from its dams .
Anglo American is also working with local governments to build resilience in host communities through the provision of water and associated infrastructure linked to its mining activities , ensuring the mines leave a positive and lasting impact . Two examples of this are Kumba ’ s Kolomela and Sishen operations , which pump groundwater , in excess of operational needs , to Sedibeng Water to supply neighbouring communities . The business also provides potable water to communities in drought-stricken areas , including at Mogalakwena platinum mine in South Africa .
Ambitious water saving targets
As part of its commitment to mining sustainably , Anglo American has an ambition to eliminate fresh water from its mining processes where possible , especially in the separation and transportation of
International Mining | MARCH 2018