EMM Resources realises that it is imperative to appropriately manage our water resources used in our operations, as the use of water is critical in every stage of our business, including mining, processing, refining, and rehabilitation stages, therefore the use and appropriate management of water resources is important in becoming an environmentally sustainable mining company towards the future.
There are several important factors when considering the long-term sustainability of mining, regarding to the use of water resources, including:
In conclusion, the notion of water sustainability is a very real and important issue, as living and carrying out our mining operations in Western Australia, EMM Resources understands the harsh climatic region we live in.
There are several important factors when considering the long-term sustainability of mining, regarding to the use of water resources, including:
- the rapid expansion to the scale of modern mining, which in turn requires more water to meet growing demands for minerals and metals
- mining operations are predominantly open cut mine sites, with water resources needed for tailings management and dust reduction via watering
In conclusion, the notion of water sustainability is a very real and important issue, as living and carrying out our mining operations in Western Australia, EMM Resources understands the harsh climatic region we live in.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy: EMM Resource's Water Strategy
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EMM Resources will formulate a Water Strategy at a strategic level, which provides a basis for water sustainability, and the steps we will take to increase water availability, reducing the amount of water used, while also looking at recycling and reusing the water for our mining operations.
For this reason, EMM Resource’s Water Strategy provides a strategic direction, while encouraging a long term approach on water use. highlighting best practice water management strategies, therefore providing an environmentally sustainable water use system in our mining operations.
The Water Strategy will provide many holistic scale strategies including:
- A multi-industry focused approach on water resources, where surplus water from mining operations is used in high intensive agriculture operations.
- The development of on-site water storage and reclamation facilities, with large dams strategically set up to capture mine water runoff, instead of the water just diffusing away from the mine site.
Implementation
EMM Resource’s Water Strategy will be thoroughly researched, ensuring the mining operations will have best practice water management infrastructure and technology, including how to manage the operational use of water, while also understanding and minimising the impact on water resources. The Water Strategy will be formally introduced into the organisation, while also be included on the company website for the public to view. Furthermore, there will be adequate training for employees to understand and trial new systems and processes to allow for a seamless transition for the Water Strategy to be a success at EMM Resources.
Evaluation
The evaluation of the company’s Water Strategy will be done in the form of frequent monitoring and evaluation. It will evaluate the effectiveness of the water strategy, and the water savings it provides. There will be frequent monitoring of the success of EMM Resource’s Water Strategy, mainly the reduction in water use, and water savings it has provided since its inception. Furthermore, the monthly monitoring and evaluation of the strategy aims to provide updates, and advancements to the strategy, while also highlighting any potential problems with the strategy.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy: Water Modelling System
There are current attempts to involve science in mining operations, using computer modelling and optimisation of flows throughout the mine site, as there have been specific programs and systems that model water use, which could potentially be extremely beneficial within our mining processes at EMM Resources.
ImplementationEMM Resources in conjunction with the CSIRO are proud to announce the implementation of Water Pinch Modelling to use in our mining operations. Water Pinch Modelling provides the mining industry with advanced approaches to optimise water use and recycling, giving a full breakdown of the mining operations water processes, while also providing initiatives in water recycling and water reuse.
The implementation process will consist of a product trial for a specified number of weeks, enabling the staff, and other interconnecting programs time to adapt, and the ability to provide adequate training, then if the model is satisfactory throughout the trial period, the program will be implemented as fully operational within EMM Resource’s mining operations. |
Evaluation
Water Pinch Modelling has an efficiency rate greater than 90%, therefore it has the potential to reduce water consumption by our mining processes at EMM Resources. The evaluation of the Water Pinch Modelling system would be to see if it reduces water consumption in the mining operations. EMM Resources will monitor current levels of water use, and water capture, then implement the Water Pinch Modelling system, therefore enabling the reduction in water use to be realised, resulting from the new implementation.
References
Barrett, D. (2011). Water in the mineral industry. Retrieved from Australian Publishing Resource Service: http://www.aprs.com.au/australian-environment-news/water-in-the-mineral-industry
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. (2011). A Guide to Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining. Canberra: Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Kenrick, V. (2013). The Challenges of Water Management Within the Mining Industry.
Mudd, G. M. (2008). Sustainability Reporting and Water Resources: a Preliminary Assessment of Embodied Water and Sustainable Mining. Mine Water Environs, 136-144.
Rio Tinto. (2012). Environment - Water. Retrieved from Rio Tinto Australia Web site: http://www.riotinto.com.au/ENG/environment/375_water.asp
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. (2011). A Guide to Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining. Canberra: Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Kenrick, V. (2013). The Challenges of Water Management Within the Mining Industry.
Mudd, G. M. (2008). Sustainability Reporting and Water Resources: a Preliminary Assessment of Embodied Water and Sustainable Mining. Mine Water Environs, 136-144.
Rio Tinto. (2012). Environment - Water. Retrieved from Rio Tinto Australia Web site: http://www.riotinto.com.au/ENG/environment/375_water.asp