At Coal & Allied in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, reductions in water consumption are achieved by increasing the use of site generated saline mine water for the coal washing process. The construction of new interconnecting pipelines facilitates improved water recycling.
Construction of one of the major interconnecting pipelines which effectively links all three of Coal & Allied's southern Hunter Valley operations commenced in 2003 and was completed in 2004. The pipeline provides a positive economic return as it cancels the need for the construction of large water storage structures. The pipeline further reduces the consumption of fresh water from the Hunter River and improves the reliability of supply to one of the operations' coal preparation plants.
Further reductions in fresh water usage are planned in order to reduce consumption by an additional 2.5 per cent per annum to 2008. The Hunter River is considered the lifeblood of the Hunter Valley so measures to reduce pressures on the river are strongly supported.
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