WATER

While water is an important resource in the mining industry, it is an even more important resource to the health and well-being of the local communities and the planet in general. That is why, in 2010, detailed water management plans were developed for all operations. The strategy and site-specific strategies will look at issues like closure planning, reclamation, tailings management, discharge water quality, as well as potable water and groundwater quality. The corporate water strategy has been initiated with a global water reduction target of 5% for the next 3 years.

In 2011, the sites added monitoring equipment to allow improved data gathering and monitoring of the water balance. While some of our mines are located in a temperate or wet climate and have to manage a net annual water surplus, others have to manage a net annual loss, as they are located in arid areas. Because of the variation in our operations’ water requirements and the diversity of environments in which our operations are located, we take a local approach to water management. Each site tailored its water management plan according to the local situation, which in turn helps us to build better relationships with other users of the resource and maintain a license to operate.

Sites located in water-scarce regions have water conservation plans in place and work to make their operating processes more water efficient. At these sites, recycled or reused water generally makes up the greater percentage of water used.

Essakane mine is located in an arid area of Western Africa. Water efficiency is a major focus for this operation because it is a scarce resource and essential for the area’s biodiversity. Essakane reduced its impact on water sources by satisfying 77% of its water requirements with recycled water. This compared to 67% for Essakane’s first seven months of operation from the previous year. Other initiatives from previous years continue such as the use of a tailings thickener which allows sites to recover and reuse water and reduce demand for freshwater. Thicker tailings also reduce the likelihood of ground contamination due to greater impermeability.