SOUTH African mining companies will begin to develop water-saving plans following completion of guidelines produced in a joint effort between the country’s Minerals Council, a lobby group, and government’s Department of Water and Sanitation.
The guidelines are the outcome of a study that monitored 39 operations included in the study included coal, gold, platinum, diamonds, chrome, iron ore, manganese, copper, phosphate, heavy mineral sands, dolomite quarries and others.
One aspect of the value of the study and guidelines is it becomes possible to develop optimal water conservation and water demand management plans and targets based on the mineral being mined and on a wide range of other relevant factors.
“Mines will develop water saving plans based on the guidelines and will report annually according to specified templates set in the guidelines,” said the Minerals Council
