Model for measuring water use in the minerals industry

The mining industry is developing a new system to measure and account for water use across the sector to ensure the scarce resource is used sustainably and efficiently.

The Water Accounting Framework – being developed by the Minerals Council of Australia, the New South Wales Minerals Council and the Sustainable Minerals Institute – will represent the first attempt by any industry in Australia to accurately and consistently measure and account for water use.

“The framework establishes a consistent approach for quantifying flows into and out of minerals operations,” Dr Jason Cummings, the Minerals Council of Australia’s Assistant Director of Environment Policy, said.

“Many minerals operations, and companies, have comprehensive water accounting systems in place to measure, monitor and report water use. However, these are often site specific and hard to use when comparing water use across industries. Industry recognises that there is a clear need to improve the approach.”

“There is also a pressing regulatory need for a consistent picture of the minerals industry’s water use. The federal government, under the National Water Initiative, is moving to require all state and territories to report water use consistently. Our Water Accounting Framework is being developed in consultation with the Water Accounting Standards Board and will be an off-the-shelf solution for the minerals industry to adapt their current systems.”

The water accounting framework will greatly improve the industry’s ability to report sustainable use of water, strengthening its claims for access to reliable water supplies, Dr Cummings said.

“It will enhance public and investor confidence in the industry’s ability to access and use water sustainably while providing market regulators with a consistent overview of water use, enabling water access pricing to be set with greater understanding of water quality, inputs and outputs at minerals operations.

“It will help water regulators reduce over-allocation by providing a more accurate understanding of water used and recycled at minerals operations.

“The continuing research and development program will further develop appropriate reporting frameworks for minerals operations to enable their water use to be understood by a variety of stakeholders.”

Further information can be found at www.wateraccounting.net.au.