Terms used
Aquifer is an underground bed or layer of earth, gravel or porous stone that yields water.
Dewatering is the process where water is withdrawn to prepare an area for mining.
Direct discharge is water withdrawn from the environment and returned without being used. This includes dewatering water that is returned to the environment without being used.
Groundwater is water that is under the surface of the ground occupying pores, cavities, cracks and other voids.
Process effluent is water used for mining, processing and/or related activities, such as camp sewage, that is returned to the environment.
Freshwater is potable water or good quality raw water with total dissolved solids less than 1,500 milligrams per litre, pH 5-9 and individual dissolved constituents (metals, anions etc) at concentrations suitable for agricultural/livestock or irrigation use (based on local/regional/national guidelines).
Non process (treated) water is groundwater or surface water run off that is not used in the process but has been contaminated, or has the potential to become contaminated, and which is intercepted for treatment before return to the environment.
Poor quality water includes all water that does not meet freshwater quality guidelines.
Recycled water is water that is used more than once before being returned to the environment or lost. This does not include recirculated water.
Water Input is the sum of all water from all sources into an operation. This includes water withdrawn from marine environments, surface and ground water sources, water in ore that is processed, imported recycled water and runoff from rainfall that is captured or diverted for treatment
Water Output is the sum of all water released to the greater environment. This includes water that is discharged (including process effluent and dewatering water), water that is lost due to evaporation or seepage, water entrained with products or process wastes and process effluent that is recycled to a third party
Water returned is water that is used in the process and is released to the environment. It does not include evaporation and seepage.
Water withdrawn includes all of the water taken from the environment whether or not it is used by the operations. This does not include stormwater or water supplied directly to third parties.
Water use is water used in operations, for example for processing and dust suppression, and includes recycled water.
Gigalitre (GL) a measure of volume, equal to 1,000,000,000 litres.
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