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By Don Phelps, Dean Brox, Peter Procter, Andy Saltis, Tom Morrison, Jeff Pringle

The Greater Vancouver Water District is currently constructing the Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Project to enhance the quality of drinking water in the Vancouver metropolitan area. The Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Project comprises the 1,800 million litres per day Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant, the 1,080million litres per day Capilano Pumping Station, twin tunnels with associated shafts, and the Capilano Energy Recovery Facility. The twin tunnels will convey raw water under pressure from the Capilano Reservoir to the Seymour Filtration Plant and return treated (filtered) water for distribution. The Twin Tunnels component of the project comprises twin, 3.7 m diameter, 7.2 km TBM bored tunnels, the 180 m deep Seymour Shaft as the main launch shaft, and two 4 m diameter, 268 m deep raise bore exit shafts at Capilano. The Twin Tunnels have been planned as predominantly unlined tunnels sited at depth entirely within granitic bedrock and cross under two major buried glacial valleys of breadths in excess of 1500 metres that are filled with glacial sediments to depths up to 200 metres. The maximum overburden along the tunnel alignment is approximately 400 metres. Comprehensive site investigations and studies were completed during the detailed design stage of the project. The construction of the twin tunnels started in the fall of 2004 and is planned to be completed by mid-2008.

Jan 1, 2005

By Lyne Côté, Jose Adante

"The Caribou underground mine, 50 km west of Bathurst, the Restigouche open-pit mine, another 30 km west and the concentrator located at the Caribou mine site resumed operations in July 2007 after a nine year shutdown. The Caribou operations achieved commercial production on Jan 1. By June, 2008, all metallurgical targets had been achieved or surpassed with the production of lead and zinc concentrates assaying approximately 50% Zn and 45% Pb respectively with recoveries exceeding 80% for Zn and 70% for Pb.The deposit features very fine-grained massive sulphide mineralization, which in the past has proven difficult to process. ISA Mill Ultra Fine Grinding Technology in combination with conventional flotation technology is used to process these complex oresSeveral modifications arising from experience gained from past operations, an extensive research project at Lakefield Research and post startup flow sheet and reagent alterations have been employed to achieve this break through performanceThis paper describes the design, start up and optimization of the Caribou operations including the many challenges faced including the flotation of mineral particles with K80s ranging from 35µm to 8µm.HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDThe Caribou massive sulphide deposit was discovered by Anaconda geologist Cam Cheriton in 1959. Anaconda initiated an extensive underground exploration and discovered a super gene copper blanket which was developed into a small open-pit mine-mill operation that ran from 1970 until the depletion of the copper ore in 1974. East West Minerals, an Australian public company, purchased the mine in 1986 and operated for only seven months producing a single bulk lead-zinc concentrate. In 1995, Breakwater acquired the Restigouche Open pit and Caribou underground deposits. Breakwater began milling operations in July 1997 but Caribou Mine failed to commercialize production, and the company decided to shut it down in August 1998, because of declining metal prices. The mill was plagued by mechanical and design problems, but deficiencies in metal recoveries prevented the operation from reaching desired levels."

Jan 1, 2009

By A. J. Martin, M. J. Peoples, D. J. Adams, A. Opara

"The weathering of coal mine waste rock releases iron, calcium, sulfate and associated trace elements like selenium (Se). Nitrogen species are also found in association with coal-mining drainages mainly due to the leaching of residual blasting compounds. Elevated concentrations of Se are a ubiquitous occurrence in coal-mining environments in British Columbia. A major concern with waterborne Se in British Columbia is the potential for its bioaccumulation in aquatic food chains.Treatment to remove Se from coal-mining waste waters has proven to be challenging for conventional water-treatment technologies. Compounding this challenge, many streams are characterized by high flows and low selenium concentrations. Conventional membrane and ion exchange treatments produce concentrated brine streams that are difficult to treat or require disposal. Conventional biotreatment systems use excess nutrients to provide the required electrons to compensate for inefficient and variable electron availability, as well as to adjust reactor chemistry.This paper's electro-biochemical reactor (EBR) technology provides a controllable and consistent supply of useable electrons to the microbes directly at a low voltage potential (1-3 V) and low current. In this manner, the EBR technology overcomes the shortcomings found in conventional systems, as it reduces the required nutrient addition and provides a more controllable, efficient, economical and robust biotreatment system. Additionally, the EBR process does not produce excess solids or biomass; therefore, solids management post-treatment is not required.Laboratory EBR bench-scale and on-site pilot-scale systems were used to treat five British Columbia coal-mine waste waters; influent Se concentrations ranged from 35 µg/L to 531 µg/L. Se treatment targets for the tested waters ranged from 5 to 10 µg/L. Mean Se concentrations in EBR effluents ranged from 0.5 µg/L to 1.4 µg/L, while reducing sulfate concentrations. The test data demonstrate that the EBR technology is an effective Se removal option for British Columbia’s coal-mining waste waters.IntroductionSelenium in Mining. Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring trace element, which is an essential nutrient in small amounts (Thompson and Robinson, 1980; Brown and Arthur, 2001). However, it is also toxic to aquatic life, birds, and humans at very low concentrations. A major concern with waterborne Se is the potential for its bioaccumulation in aquatic food chains, resulting in acute and/or chronic toxicity to fish, water birds and amphibians (Besser et al., 1996; Conley et al., 2009)."

Jan 1, 2015

By Verya Nasri

The proposed Second Avenue Subway Project in New York City is approximately 8.5 miles long, up to a depth of 120 feet beneath grade and runs the length of the eastern side of the island of Manhattan from Harlem in the north to the financial district in the south. It will reduce overcrowding and delays on the existing parallel line, improving travel for both city and suburban commuters, and upgrading access to mass transit for residents of the East Side of Manhattan. This subway line will have 16 new stations providing transfers to the existing Metro-North commuter rail service and to New York City Transit subway lines and bus services. The first phase of construction includes two TBM rock tunnels 2.4 miles long and two new large and shallow rock cavern stations with clear span openings ranging from 70 to 100 feet and length in excess of 1000 feet with 615 feet center platform, coupled with low rock cover ranging from 20 feet to 40 feet. The design methodology for these large and shallow rock caverns consists of using well known empirical methods for initial estimate of support requirements and then two and three dimensional continuum and discontinuum analyses for verification of the selected excavation sequence and support system. This paper describes the analysis and design methodologies used for the two large and shallow rock caverns with insight into how to overcome the design complexities and construction challenges of the urban underground.

Jan 1, 2008

By Oluwatosin A. Aladejebi, Apsara S. Jayasekara, Raymond J. Longbottom, Mark Reid, Marc in het Panhuis, Brian J. Monaghan

The coke analogue is a new research tool that has been developed to quantify and characterize the effect minerals in coke have on coke reactivity. The analogue material is made from a number of different carbon or carbon containing materials and minerals to in part replicate real industrial coke’s reactivity behavior. Elucidation of the effects of minerals on coke reactivity has proved difficult due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of industrial coke and the potential non-additive effects of minerals on coke reactivity. The coke analogue addresses this complexity and heterogeneity through control of its mineralogy, mineral size and mineral dispersion through the analogue, porosity and carbon structures. Initial studies using the analogue were focused on coke dissolution kinetics in liquid iron but recent work has focused in characterization of its porosity, carbon structure and rate of reaction.

Jan 1, 2014

It is predicted that vast volumes of affected mine water will be produced by mining activities in the Mpumalanga coalfields of South Africa. The potential environmental impact of this excess water is of great concern in a water-scarce country like South Africa. Research over a period of more than 10 years has shown that this water can be used successfully for the irrigation of a range of crops (Annandale et al., 2002)1. There is, however, continuing concern from the local regulators regarding the long-term impact that large-scale mine water irrigation may have on groundwater quality and quantity. Detailed research has been undertaken over the last three years to supplement the groundwater monitoring programme at five different pilot sites, on both virgin soils (greenfields) and in coalmining spoils. These sites range from sandy soils to very clayey soils. The research has included soil moisture measurements, collection of in situ soil moisture over time, long-term laboratory studies of the leaching and attenuation properties of different soils and the impact of irrigation on acid rock drainage processes, and in depth determination of the hydraulic properties of the subsurface at each of these sites, including falling head tests, pumping tests and point dilution tests. This has been supported by geochemical modelling of these processes to quantify the impacts. The results indicate that many of the soils have considerable attenuation capacities and that in the period of irrigation, a large proportion of the salts have been contained in the upper portions of the unsaturated zones below each irrigation pivot. The volumes and quality of water leaching through to the aquifers have been quantified at each site. From this mixing ratios have been calculated in order to determine the effect of the irrigation water on the underlying aquifers. Keywords: coalmines, irrigation, gypsiferous mine water.

Jan 1, 2009

There are circumstances where the ordinary techniques of experimental variography in geostatistics û now in common use despite their recent origin û are not quite successful. This paper describes a new addition to the geostatisticians tool kit developed by one of the renowned leaders in the field to cope specifically with these circumstances. Possible application of this technique will be outlined when it will be seen that there are still problems remaining to be solved in its use for economic evaluation of deposits with irregular mineralisation.

Jan 1, 1984

By Paul Gauthier

Aujourd?hui, avec un faible prix de l?or sur le marché, les opérateurs miniers doivent revoir leur façon de faire. La méthode de minage «Eureka» permet de réduire les coûts de production et d?accélérer la mise en production des chantiers. Les principales étapes du cycle de minage et les problématiques associées à l?utilisation de cette méthode à la Mine Bousquet y sont décrites.

Oct 1, 2001

By G. Price

The Building Research Establishment installed a base load cell in a driven cast-in-place pile prior to it being tested under vertical load. The monitored base loads were found to be significantly less than could have been predicted by current design methods. The less than expected capacity was attributed to the drilling out procedure. An electro-level system installed in a second similarly formed pile, provided detailed information on the performance of the pile under lateral load. The information obtained was used to check several current design methods for laterally loaded piles. The findings show the potential dangers of attempting to improve design parameters from only limited performance data.

Jan 1, 2010

By Woodcock J. T

When an aqueous suspension of pyrite and manganese ore reacts with oxygen, manganese is dissolved by the ferrous sulphate and sulphuric acid produced by the oxidation of pyrite. The kinetics of certain steps in the overall reaction were studied. A rate equation for the oxidation of ferrous sulphate by gaseous oxygen was derived for the temperature range from 1000 to 200° C. An exact rate equation for the production of ferrous ion from pyrite could not be established but it was shown that the temperature, oxygen pressure, pyrite surface area, and the reduction of ferric ion by pyrite are important. A rate equation was derived for the reaction of manganese dioxide with ferrous sulphate. A major facfor controlling the rate was whether or not ferric oxide was formed by hydrolysis at the manganese dioxide surface.It was shown that if hydrolysis was prevented the factor cpntrolling the rate of the overall reaction ,was the rate of production of ferrous ion, and little ferrous ion was oxidised by oxygen. When hydrolysis of iron did occur, the overall rate was not a simplefunction of anyone factor and much ferrous ion was wasted by oxidation with oxygen.INTRODUCTIONIn another paper (Cornelius and Woodcock, 1958) the results of the reaction of an aqueous suspension of a manganese ore and pyrite with oxygen are reported. It is shown that the ferrous ion and sulphuric acid generated in situ by the oxidation of pyrite, dissolves manganese as manganous sulphate. To obtain a better understanding of the process as a whole, the kinetics of certain steps in the overall reaction were studied.When an aqueous suspension of a manganese ore and pyrite reacts with oxygen, the overall reaction may be conventionally represented by equation (1) (Cornelius and Woodcock, 1958).2Mn02 + 2FeSz + 6i02 + 2HzO= 2MnS04 + 2H2S04+ F'ez03 ... , .. (1)

Jan 1, 1958

By Norman O. Lotter, Dominic Fragomeni, Jorge Oliveira, Dee J. Bradshaw, Rebecca Monnapula

"The role of mixed collectors in enhancing the metallurgical performance of sulphide flotation processes was reviewed in 2008, and later published as an integrated theory by Lotter and Bradshaw, 2009. The theory proposed that xanthates, dithiophosphates and dithiocarbamates could be synergistically combined in an optimal formula to deliver improved grade and recovery. The approach uses a five-step structure, viz.1. A mineralogical study of the ore to be treated, identifying and quantifying the economic minerals (with hosting and association) and gangue species present.2. Selection of candidate collectors from this mineralogical information and from the known pulp conditions of that operation (e.g. Eh, pH).3. Design and execution of a factorial experiment to estimate and test the main effects and interactions, and to model the response surface for an optimum formulation [Box et al., 1978].4. Use of a High-Confidence Flotation Test platform in the factorial to reduce overall errors and allow for clearer observations [Lotter, 1995; Lotter and Fragomeni, 2010].5. Statistical design of a plant scale trial to measure and validate the gains [Napier-Munn, 1995; Lotter et al., 2009]. Eland Platinum, which was commissioned in November 2007, appointed a team to apply this theory to formulate an optimized mixed collector suite for use in the operation. The West Pit ore (UG2 - Normal ore) was sampled at site and brought to Xstrata Process Support, Sudbury, Canada, for mineralogical and metallurgical testing in 2008. Microprobe and QEMSCAN measurement characterized the type, grain size and textural association of the discrete Platinum Group Minerals (PGM) present. From the mineralogical data, it was clear that a mixture of dithiocarbamate and two xanthates would be a likely reagent suite selection. A factorially designed set of High-Confidence Flotation Tests studying these was performed, concluding that an optimal suite using certain amounts of these collectors was a viable formulation that would advance the grade and recovery performance at Eland above the standard PIBX by approximately 2.13% 4E PGE. The plant trial, which used a form of the replicated block design after Napier-Munn, 1995, and Lotter et al., 2009, exceeded this estimate with an overall PGE recovery gain of 2.48% (absolute basis) and a concentrate grade gain of 26.4 g/t PGE (absolute basis), as well as reducing chrome in concentrate from 2.04 to 1.62% (absolute basis). These gains proved to be statistically significant using the analysis of variance method, and have validated the theory."

Jan 1, 2011

By G. M. Schwartz

THERE has been considerable controversy regarding the structure and mineral constituents produced when iron ore is sintered. This investigation was undertaken in order to establish the fundamental reactions that take place in the sintering process by determining the nature of the resulting minerals. The writer's immediate interest in the subject arose mainly from the request of E. W. Davis for information based on a microscopic study of sinter submitted by him in May, 1926. In the author's preliminary work, samples of iron-ore sinter were secured from the Minnesota School of Mines Experiment Station and from commercial plants. These were polished by the usual methods for polishing opaque ores. In order to study these surfaces satisfactorily, it is necessary to magnify them rather highly, a range from 100 to 1000 dia. being used. For the higher magnifications oil-immersion lenses and an intense source of light are necessary. After the preliminary study had shown the problems involved, a series of small samples were sintered under carefully controlled conditions and with analyzed materials. Variations in the relative amounts of ore, coal and water were made in order to study the effect of each constituent. The attempt has been to arrive at a clearer understanding of the sintering process and the reactions involved without reference to any preconceived notion as to sinter. It is clear that the study of polished surfaces has yielded results not possible with thin sections alone. The thin sections made in this work were found unsatisfactory at magnification greater than 75, whereas magnifications of 1000 were easily studied with reflected light on carefully polished surfaces. A rather complete statement of observed facts is made so that the reader may form his own conclusions. The writer's interpretations are suggested.

Jan 1, 1929

By Colwell J. B, Constantine A. E

A unique, regional grid of deep (12 - 14 second record length), seismic reflection and refraction data has been recorded by the Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR) across the offshore Gippsland Basin and parts of the adjacent Bass Basin, in southeastern Australia. These data have been combined with onshore mapping to produce a new model for the development of the Gippsland and adjacent Bass Strait basins. Overall, the Gippsland Basin contains up to 12 - 14 km of sediment in an ESE-trending depocentre bounded on its north and northwestern margins by a detachment ramp, and on its southern side by a relatively linear, listric fault system. The basin, together with the adjacent Bass and Otway Basins, appears to have formed as part of a linked, largely- strike-slip to 'transtensional' system, which started to extend through Bass Strait, probably during the latest Jurassic. Each of the basins developed by movement on a common detachment or detachment complex, which produced headwall extension at their western ends, in the areas now occupied by the Strzelecki Ranges, Otway Ranges - Torquay Sub-basin, and Robe Trough. Adjustments and reactivation from the mid Cretaceous of several postulated microplates in the region, largely in response to Tasman Basin rifting, gave rise to the wrench-related and compressional structures which form the major petroleum targets in the Gippsland Basin. However, the same process formed largely extensional stuctures in the Bass Basin. Our interpretation of the tectonic history of the Gippsland Basin leads us to the conclusion that there may have been several phases of petroleum generation and migration, and that potential petroleum traps appear to exist in the deeper section, in structures sometimes not reflected at the top or near-top Latrobe Group levels.

Jan 1, 1992

By Joan T. May

Federal Bureau of Mines studies showed that some organic amine hydrochlorides can be used as dehydrating agents for producing anhydrous magnesium chloride from hydrates and brines. Laboratory-scale tests showed that double salts are formed by reacting 35 percent magnesium chloride brine or spray-dried magnesium chloride with pyridine hydrochloride. Heating decomposed these double salts to anhydrous magnesium chloride and recycle pyridine hydrochloride. Pyridine hydrochloride also chlorinated any magnesium oxide in the spray-dried magnesium chloride. The anhydrous magnesium chloride obtained by the method described contained less than 0.8 percent oxygen. More than 98 percent of the organic amine hydrochloride was recovered.

Jan 1, 1978

By D Preedy, J K. Claflin, S R. La Brooy

A gold mine in north-eastern Africa has expanded throughput from 5 to 10 Mt/y in recent years. The original carbon regeneration kiln was incapable of achieving required throughput or meeting process conditions to reactivate the carbon due to heavy fouling by high molecular weight frothers and collectors. A new high temperature kiln was required.The design criteria for the carbon reactivation kiln and associated equipment were revised, then implemented in close cooperation with a kiln vender who had previously supplied kilns operating successfully on highly fouled carbon. The result is a whole facility, holistically designed to achieve the technical criteria.The new carbon reactivation facility has been operating since 1 July 2014. What have we learned? What has performed to expectations? What could be done better?This paper presents lessons learnt regarding the design, implementation, operation and maintenance of the Ausenco Carbon Reactivation Kiln. ‘Lessons’ are associated with threats and opportunities (risks) that have that have been realised. The importance of identifying and managing risks for even small straightforward projects is demonstrated.CITATION:Claflin, J K, La Brooy, S R and Preedy, D, 2015. Lessons learnt and performance – installing and commissioning an Ausenco carbon reactivation kiln in Africa, in Proceedings MetPlant 2015, pp 163–174 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 7, 2015

By Fred H. Perfect

The thermite process, now approximately 80 years old, has heretofore been practiced in ceramic vessels. This paper outlines the successful production of several million pounds of alloy produced in zuater-cooled copper vessels. THE high temperatures necessary to produce fluid high-alumina slags have probably discouraged earlier workers from attempting to utilize water-cooled vessels. The following is a report of the successful application of this method, together with a report of the physical and chemical problems which had to be solved to make the process practical. About 1955, when Reading Alloys was more concerned with the production of ferrotungsten than with most other types of alloys, it was found to be exceedingly difficult to predict the reaction rate that one would experience from one tungsten ore to another . This difficulty was increased for two reasons: the physical state of the ore as received was seldom uniform, and the size of the mass to be reduced is a very important factor in developing the proper mix for the final reaction rate and temperature. For example, the reduction of ferric oxide with aluminum would theoretically produce temperatures of about 2600°C, and, in spite of the losses due to radiation, the energy is quite sufficient to produce a very fluid slag and iron effecting a very clean separation. On the other hand, the reduction of ferrous oxide with aluminum, while it is not as energetic as the first reaction, nevertheless should give temperatures above 2000"C, which should cause separation of alumina and iron, but, in practice, this is not the case and good fluid slag is not obtained. The heat of reaction, calculated from the thermo-dynamic heats of formation of the constituents of the reaction, offers a convenient guide to the feasibility of a thermite reaction. Thus, the values listed in Table I can be used as an approximate guide for estimating the results which may be expected in the reduction of various oxides and combinations of oxides using aluminum as the reducing agent. As a generalization, those reactions releasing approximately 600 cal per g of total mass represent the lower limit at which to expect separation of slag and metal. On the other hand, those reactions which release 1100 to 1200 cal per g are too violent to be used successfully without the addition of considerable inert material, such as lime, fluorspar, and so forth. Reaction rate is also a very important factor. This, of course, is governed very largely by the sizing and intermingling of the oxidant and reductant and by the starting temperature of the reactants. This is why those figures shown in Table I can only be a general guide. Further, it must be understood, that by adding powerful oxidizing agents, such as nitrates, chlorates or metallic oxides, such as molybdenum trioxide or chromium trioxide, certain problems respecting low temperatures are not necessarily solved. This is true in the addition of oxidants, such as sodium chlorate. By adding too high a concentration of sodium chlorate as a booster for a particular reduction, explosions are generated. Generally, they are of an intermittent type so as to give a Roman Candle effect to the reduction itself; with each surge resulting from a minor explosion more and more material is thrown

Jan 1, 1968

By Brett Zernich, Michael Krulc, Brett Robinson

This paper provides an account of the efforts undertaken to construct the Northeast Interceptor Sewer (NEIS) project, which is a portion of a much larger program in Los Angeles, California to upgrade the city’s wastewater facilities. The project consisted of a number of elements, including both soft ground and rock slurry wall shafts, drilled shafts, soft ground EPBM mining, rock TBM mining, large diameter pipe placement, and underground structure construction. The need to complete the project under strict schedule constraints, in addition to the challenges of underground construction in congested urban areas, necessitated the work be undertaken with the proper balance of state of the art equipment, and thoughtful planning. The paper will detail the means, methods, and equipment used on the project, as well as discuss several of the unforeseen conditions encountered during construction.

Jan 1, 2005

In the interest of safety in underground coal mining, the Bureau of Mines recommends: 1. That doors used to control ventilation (a) Shall be installed in pairs to form air locks, (b) Shall be self-closing, (c) Shall not have latches or other devices for holding them open, (d) Shall be constructed and maintained to prevent excessive air leakage through or around them, (e) Shall be fire resistant. 2. That wherever practicable the use of doors shall be limited to development openings. The Mine Safety Board is of the opinion that the best practice in coal-mine ventilation makes use of a split system employing overcasts or undercasts with doors limited as far as feasible to development openings. The distance between air-lock doors on haulageways should be sufficient to accommodate a trip or train of maximum length. Where auxiliary doors are installed to control ventilation during emergencies, they should be so placed that they can be utilized readily in case of damage to the air-lock doors.

Jan 1, 1938

The theme of the conference is "excellence", an epithet of special significance in tertiary education. It appears in the mission statements, goals and plans to achieve them of most, and quite possibly all, tertiary institutions in Australia. In the context of excellence, this paper examines the current statue of professional education in the principal mining industry related discipline of Mining Engineering. It furthermore, identifies and discusses a number of special problems in mining education that the tertiary sector has long endured. Some of these problems are becoming acute, and solutions will have to be found soon in order for the industry to be assured of the supply of well motivated and appropriately qualified young engineers and scientists necessary to achieve and maintain the excellent to which it aspires.

Jan 1, 1989

In the last 30 years, human appropriation of global renewable resources has accelerated to the point where 35 per cent of the earthÆs land surface is now in managed agro-ecosystems, consumptive water use consumes between 50 per cent and 85 per cent of freshwater supply and 60 per cent of ecosystem services are utilised in an unsustainable manner. There are virtually no landscapes in which renewable resources are not already fully allocated among different economic and environmental uses. Furthermore, it is increasingly recognised that water availability issues do not exist in isolation but are linked with the related environmental issues of biodiversity preservation, the carbon cycle, soil degradation, and energy use and supply. It is against this background that the sustainable management of water in mining is increasingly developing a strategic viewpoint where water is viewed as a resource within an interconnected landscape, having economic, environmental and social value and providing a range of environmental services in the provision of public and private goods. This paper explores the issues associated with sustainable management of water in mining from a strategic viewpoint. The cumulative impacts of multiple water users, both within and outside the mining sector, is increasingly threatening the security of supply for all users. To quantitatively assess the ætrueÆ value of water it is necessary to: Better understand the science of ecosystem functioning and how human actions impact on environmental processes. Develop appropriate policy, finance and governance structures to support innovative programs that preserve ecosystem function and services (including market based instruments). Apply knowledge as interventions across landscapes in ways that maximise benefits and minimise unintended consequences taking into account differences in the value of water among sectors. A strategic viewpoint of water management relies on knowledge to guide decision making that has been acquired at a range of scales from mine site to mining region. This knowledge must be based on rigorous science, sound data and syntheses of different types of information. Strategic management of water resources will better position the industry in terms of understanding the risks posed by complex, interlinked environmental issues that are increasingly impacting on future access to land and renewable resources, including water, thereby ensuring miningÆs future social licence to operate.

Jan 1, 2009