Page 31 - EngineerIt August 2021

MINING

“Practical steps and guidance in
the AWS Standard help water users Covering the bases
to improve their water practices for
better on-site water performance, while Applying the principles of water stewardship on mines involves a range of
also contributing to wider sustainability considerations – both regulatory and strategic. On a recent project in which SRK
goals,” she said. “Water crises are being Consulting was involved, the process involved the following among the various
exacerbated by climate change and are relevant areas to be covered.
now acknowledged as societal risks due • Water use licensing – a regulatory requirement which now also includes the need to
to their far-reaching consequences.” consider climate change impacts
• Reduced water consumption alternatives
Catchment care • Water quality monitoring
Water stewardship considers impacts • Challenges arising from the salinity of discharge water – considering upstream
not only on the mine site but in the wider water quality conditions and downstream water users
catchment in which a mine operates, • Public consultation and disclosure – including a community water supply project
according to Dr Simon Lorentz, principal
hydrologist at SRK Consulting.
“Risks specific to the company Well-being, Sustainable Cities & Communities, and Life Below Water.
can be direct, disrupting actual mining “An added advantage of the AWS Standard is that it allows mines to be accredited
operations such as the non-availability once they have met the detailed range of requirements,” she said. “This is valuable in
of water supply to manage operations terms of companies’ reputations – whether in the eyes of investors, financial institutions,
like waste disposal,” said Lorentz. “They regulators or the general public.”
can also be indirect, where supply
chains are disrupted due to water Credible benchmark
supply issues or poor water quality.” The AWS’s position as a member of ISEAL assures stakeholders that its water
He noted that catchment-specific stewardship framework has been reviewed by an independent and competent body. The
risks are influenced by local water framework and the accreditation therefore provide a credible benchmark that can be
resource management and governance trusted as a true indication of commitment.
effectiveness, in dealing with factors “SRK’s decades of experience in the mining sector, combined with its depth of
such as increasing demand and expertise in water-related disciplines, positions us well to guide mining companies in their
unpredictability driven by climate water stewardship journey,” said Shand. n
variability. They are also affected by
local infrastructure adequacy, the * The content herein is the author’s opinion and not published on behalf of the Alliance
amounts of pollution being disposed into for Water Stewardship (AWS). The author holds an AWS Professional Credential and
water bodies, and the resulting quality of this piece of publishing helps fulfil their Continuing Contribution Units requirements.
available water. For more information about AWS or the AWS Professional Credentialing Programme,
“In one of our projects, we worked please visit https://a4ws.org/.
closely with a mine and the responsible
authority to ensure that the quality of About SRK
the naturally saline groundwater from SRK is an independent, global network of over 45 consulting practices on six continents.
an open pit was an acceptable quality Its experienced engineers and scientists work with clients in multi-disciplinary teams to
before being discharged from site,” said deliver integrated, sustainable technical solutions across a range of sectors –
Shand. “This strategy was guided by the mining, water, environment, infrastructure and energy.
presence of sensitive farming activity For more information, visit www.srk.co.za
downstream of the mine and was made
possible by taking the broader water
stewardship approach.”

Strengthening reputations
The central position of water in many
of the United Nation’s Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) is another
reason why many mining companies are
starting to embrace water stewardship
more systematically, said Sutton. Many
corporates align their strategies with
the SDGs, and many of those are
relevant to water. While Goal 6 on Clean Lindsay Shand, associate Dr Simon Lorentz, principal Fiona Sutton, principal
Water and Sanitation is key, others that partner and principal hydrologist at SRK consultant at SRK
depend on access to water include No environmental geologist at Consulting Consulting
Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health & SRK Consulting

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