Water
Water management is broadly divided into three components:
Water inputs
Water input categories include water withdrawn, diverted water, water in ore that is processed, and imported recycled water. Of the four water input categories, water withdrawn is the one most likely to have a significant impact on communities and the environment.
- In 2005 water withdrawn by operations for mining, processing and related activities was 745 gigalitres (GL), which is equivalent to 745 million cubic metres. This is 16 per cent less than in 2004. Water withdrawn represented 58 per cent of total water inputs for the Group, and includes water withdrawn from and around ore bodies to prepare an area for mining (referred to as dewatering). In 2005, 50 per cent (373 GL) of the total water withdrawn was freshwater. This is a similar volume to 2004. There is generally a higher community and environmental demand for freshwater than poor quality water, therefore freshwater withdrawn is considered to be a key indicator for Rio Tinto.
- In addition to water inputs, small amounts of water were withdrawn for other uses, such as water supply to towns, pastoral use and export (29 GL). This water was not used within the operations but was specifically withdrawn to supply external parties.
Water used by our operations
In 2005, 923 GL was used by operations, primarily for processing, cooling water and dust suppression. This included water used in the process and water recycled. Recycling accounted for 22 per cent of the total water use. There was a 3 per cent increase in water recycling efficiency in 2005 compared to 2004.
Water outputs
Water output categories include water returned, evaporation and seepage, entrainment of water in product or process waste, and process water sent to third parties. As with water withdrawn, water returned is the category most likely to have a significant impact on communities and the environment.
- Water returned to the environment when no longer required, including treated stormwater, process effluent and direct discharge, was 627 GL in 2005. This is a similar volume to 2004. Water returned represented 49 per cent of total water output in 2005. Overview of water management 2005
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Water withdrawn from the environment
Water used at our operations
Water returned to the environment
Permit exceedances
Data reliability
Terms used
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