With World Water Day 2025 approaching on March 22, it is important to emphasise again that responsible water management is an essential element of successful mining operations.
Garrick Field, Solutions Director, Industrial Water and Mining at Black & Veatch told IM: “The projected value of a mining operation cannot be realised without dewatering to meet mine plan and project schedules, secure and sustainable water supply solutions, and a holistic water stewardship approach to meet stakeholder and environmental commitments.”
Garrick Field, Solutions Director, Industrial Water and Mining at Black & Veatch
Field suggests some proven initiatives mining companies can adopt to meet their sustainability and commercial goals:
Water asset management programs
Water management infrastructure is a crucial component of the mining value chain, essential for meeting production targets. However, it can often be overlooked or excluded from traditional asset management frameworks. Implementing a water asset management program ensures that a mining company’s network of assets is managed through a well-planned and executed process. This approach helps to streamline operational processes, optimise resource use, unlock value, and reduce risk.
Water asset management involves the strategic planning, acquisition, operation, maintenance, and discharge of water-related assets. By leveraging advanced analytics and predictive maintenance, organisations can better understand the health and criticality of their assets, leading to more informed decision-making, cost savings and improved operational resilience. Additionally, water asset management supports sustainability efforts by ensuring the efficient use and conservation of water resources.
Engage local communities in water planning
Working with local stakeholders to co-design project outcomes is critical to ensuring sustainable and accepted water management practices at the project design stage. By prioritising transparency and collaboration, companies can build trust and demonstrate their commitment to responsible water stewardship.
Early and meaningful engagement opens opportunities to enhance and protect all aspects of the water resource through simple solutions identified in advance. As an example, Black & Veatch recently worked with a mining client and their stakeholders during the planning of a seawater intake pipeline. A suitable alternative was found that satisfied the concerns of the local fishing village while still achieving the objectives of the project.
Climate independent solutions
The impacts of climate change are influencing water availability for mining operations in all parts of the globe. The future of water supply planning includes desalination, participating in shared infrastructure schemes, water recovery and reuse, and a focus on reducing water intensity in mining operations.
Integrating energy intensive processes, including desalination, with renewable energy sources will help reduce emissions and operating costs, further advancing sustainability and commercial goals.
Field adds: “As we are seeing in places like Chile, regulatory mandates are catching up on mining industry water use, driving operations to invest in sustainable alternatives. Demand is also growing for alternative sustainable water solutions in southeast Asia, where the mining sector has grown to contribute nearly 12% to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and consumes 30% of the country’s current water supply.”
He says that Black & Veatch has completed large-scale seawater desalination solutions for mining companies in both these regions to meet sustainable development objectives and ensure water supply security. Black & Veatch designs and manages the delivery of desalination plant, water treatment, and integrated power infrastructure to support mining and processing operations.
Looking ahead, Field argues that the mining industry has a clear opportunity to integrate water asset management programs, engage local communities early in the planning and design of mines and increase investments in climate independent solutions. “Sustainable water management solutions are available today to help reduce the operational costs for mining companies and mitigate strategic risks, benefitting the environment, local stakeholders, mining companies and the industry.”
