Re-using the neighbours' water
In 2004 Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Tarong mine implemented a new water management plan to achieve a 97 per cent daily decrease in fresh water consumption.
Tarong mine takes "blowdown water" from the cooling towers of the neighbouring Tarong power station and uses it to meet its own requirements for coal washing, watering roads and hosing down.
The mine previously drew three to four million litres of freshwater per day from the Boondooma Dam. Through a water partnership agreement, Tarong power station provides the mine with up to five million litres of water per day from its cooling water circuit. By recycling the water the mine has decreased freshwater consumption to a mere 100,000 litres per day.
Tarong's general manager Cam Halfpenny said that although additional work is associated with the new water management plan, the environmental benefits are far greater. The mine has to consistently analyse the blowdown water and flush its water systems every six months, but doing this leaves more fresh water available for agriculture and other purposes.
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