Sustainability / Environment / Water

Water

All managed operations are assessed with regard to actual and future potential water scarcity. Water conservation plans, water intensity targets and water efficiency activities are implemented at sites at which water availability is deemed to present a current or future risk.

Approach

We use large volumes of water in the extraction and processing of minerals and metals and we also generate wastewater. We are committed to continually improving the efficiency with which we use water, and to avoiding negative impacts of our operations on water quality.

We take a regional approach to water management. We operate a number of sites in arid regions where competition for water resources is high, including areas of Australia, Chile and South Africa where water conservation and water intensity is a primary focus. Other operations are located in water-abundant areas, where water quality, effluent treatment and control of discharges are our focus.

Water availability and our potential impacts on water quality are key considerations when we plan the expansion of existing operations or the construction of new ones. We carry out Environmental Impact Assessments and use the results to advise our planning and ensure operations have the smallest possible impact on water resources.

Last Modified on September 18 2009, 09:32:20 PST

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