Water and Environmental Stewardship
How much water does really mining consume?
The only way to achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement involves mining the minerals underneath the earth, and mining involves water. As NGOs and environmental groups lobby to prevent mining activities in certain areas, one might wonder how much water mining consumes compared to other industrial activities, such as agriculture or the fashion industry. According to a publication from The Energy Transitions Commission (ETC), a global coalition across the energy landscape, mining consumes around 4 billion m3 of water yearly. This is half of what is consumed by coal mining and only 0.1% of global agricultural water consumption. On the other hand, the fashion industry uses around 93 billion m3 of water yearly, a significant 2,225% more than mining.
The ETC also forecasts that a clean energy system will have a higher water consumption compared to relying on a fossil fuel matrix, approximately 58 billion m3 yearly compared to 37 billion m3 in power generation and extraction. However, the total consumption will still only equal around 2% of global agricultural water use. Comparing water consumption in mining and agriculture may appear unrelated, but as the old saying goes, "If it's not grown, it's mined." Both activities are essential: One sustains life, and the other supports the foundation of our modern society.
In this context, a fundamental question arises: Should the industry take a proactive role in educating society to address the misconceptions associated with mining while striving to reduce water consumption as technology permits? "People often overlook the importance of minerals, focusing more on agriculture and water. Therefore, education about the value of minerals is essential, and early communication with the community is crucial in mining operations. Mines are increasingly aware of their social impact and the importance of maintaining a balance with the environment," responded Robert Livermore, mining director at Civil & Environmental Consultants (CEC).
In a world where water resources were evenly distributed, concerns about water usage in mining might not be as pronounced. Paradoxically, it is essential to note that most mining activities take place in regions with water scarcity. This phenomenon is not limited to the arid Western United States but extends to other significant mining jurisdictions such as Peru and Chile. For Livermore, Arizona's open-pit mines often face criticisms but only represent 1% of the state's total acreage, making the perceived impact more significant than the actual one. The mining director also explained that persistent drought conditions have amplified the scrutiny from regulatory bodies and NGOs regarding water usage, resulted in mining operations proactively embracing new technologies such as dry stack tailings.
“Renewable energy projects may seem pricier upfront but offer long-term cost savings. Thus, it is not necessarily a matter of renewables being significantly cheaper today; instead, they provide cost stability and predictability over the entirety of the project's lifespan.”
Doug Cannon, President and CEO, NV Energy
New approaches to sustain water stewardship
With climate change threatening ever-drier conditions, water management plans and solutions are gaining momentum in an industry that operates under the scrutinizing eyes of society, especially in the Western USA. Tom Meuzelaar, owner of Life Cycle Geo, sees room for improvement: "We are currently exploring water resource projects like aquifer storage and recovery, an area the mining industry should also consider."
Life Cycle Geo has been exploring the use of machine learning in water and materials management projects: "When properly implemented, machine learning can optimize the identification of different material types, leading to more accurate and efficient material sorting. Moreover, it offers opportunities to identify and classify more material types, opening doors to increased material reuse and recycling. The goal is to maximize the utilization of every material, minimizing waste and environmental impact," explained Meuzelaar.
Alan Driscoll, VP and director of mining services at Forsgren Associates, explained that water management in mining is a multifaceted challenge. "We explore options like using treated water for agriculture or ensuring compliance with regulations for water discharge. The challenge lies in making the most of this vital resource while preserving the environment and maintaining the economic viability of mining operations," he said.
For Angela Persico, director of mining services business development at INTERA, the most significant challenge associated with water management is dealing with "unexpected surprises" that can considerably impact progress and a company's reputation. According to Persico, these unexpected surprises can occur during all stages of the mining life cycle, such as discovering more water than initially anticipated and discovering that dewatering operations are affecting a local water resource or stope stability. To mitigate surprises, INTERA aims to provide comprehensive information and understanding by leveraging data from different project stages. "Informed decision-making and effective communication with stakeholders, including the company, investors, neighbors, NGOs, and regulators, is crucial to avoiding surprises and reducing pain points across the board," she said. "Mining companies are trying to recover from the legacy of historical mining practices in the Western US that have left scars on the landscape and risks to humans and the environment," she concluded.
“A water balance, coupled with a groundwater model, facilitates informed decisions on pumping locations, quantities, and water quality considerations. This includes assessing whether to redirect pit water to stormwater retention ponds or other pits or for on-site purposes such as in SX plants or dust suppression.”
Brock Norwood, Head of Mining Business Development, DHI Group
Responsible land and community stewardship
Ideas on how to remedy mining's environmental footprint and build a better relationship with society are rife amongst the community of engineers and consultants in the Western USA. They will be crucial in ensuring that the region can fulfill the vital mission with which it has been tasked: To provide the USA with the minerals and metals for a cleaner future in a cleaner manner. The mining industry must prove to society that more environmentally friendly mining practices can achieve a transition to cleaner energy.
In recent years, mining companies have undergone significant transformations in their journey to more responsible land and community stewardship. There is a heightened focus on closure processes and an increased awareness of potential impacts on surrounding communities. "Mining companies have increasingly prioritized embedding these values into their project planning and incorporating them during operations, recognizing the importance of obtaining and maintaining their social license to operate. Their efforts encompass active community engagement, hiring their workforce from the local communities, and addressing community concerns up front in the project planning process," commented Todd Glindeman, mining market sector director at Brown and Caldwell.
Brown and Caldwell offer a comprehensive suite of water and environmental solutions, including compliance and permitting, industrial water, and site investigation and remediation. It has participated in the Perpetua Resource's Stibnite gold project in Idaho, providing support throughout the permitting and NEPA process, which involves coordination with various federal and state agencies. Brown and Caldwell is also focused on R&D and partnered with multiple research foundations like the Water Research Foundation: "We understand that the environmental challenges confronting our clients are constantly evolving in scope and complexity. Our commitment is to continuously push the boundaries of science and conventional approaches, delivering tailored solutions that yield significant impacts," said Glindeman.
For Eric Mears, vice president of Haley & Aldrich, more rigorous international standards, such as the GISTM, and more federal funding for addressing abandoned mine lands have contributed to the increased emphasis on responsible environmental practices. Due to its expertise in mine closure, Haley & Aldrich has secured numerous significant private-sector projects and federal contracts for abandoned mine reclamation. This recognition has bolstered its reputation and prompted its expansion into Colorado, Montana, Idaho and Washington. "Our unique approach, analog reclamation, creates post-mining landscapes that closely resemble the natural environment. Although analog reclamation can incur higher costs during the design and execution phases, it ensures long-term environmental durability, reducing the need for extensive maintenance or repairs after reclamation is complete," explained Mears.
Jeff Parshley, corporate consultant at SRK, asserted that, in the Western US there has been an awareness of the significance of mine closure for decades. However, he mentioned that closures are not just an end-of-life consideration: "It demands early attention during the mine life cycle, especially during the development phase.... Even with a meticulously planned closure for a 20-year mine life, the development of new technologies is inevitable. Continuous review and modification of closure plans are essential as new data emerges, regulations evolve, community perspectives shift, and innovative technologies are developed," he explained.
Article header image by ronnybas at Adobe Stock