Consistent with our objectives for water there are three broad components of our water management:

• Water withdrawn by our operations for mining, processing and related activities: 720 million cubic metres in 2003. This includes water withdrawn from and around ore bodies to prepare an area for mining, referred to as dewatering. We also withdraw small amounts of water for other uses, such as water supply to towns not managed by our operations (4 million cubic metres in 2003) and for export to third parties (9 million cubic metres in 2003).
• Water used by our operations largely for processing and dust suppression: 833 million cubic metres in 2003. Some of this water requirement is met by recycling.
• Water we return to the environment when it is no longer required, including treated stormwater: 634 million cubic metres in 2003. Water directly discharged without use is from mine dewatering and may be treated prior to discharge to remove contaminants.

Overview of water management 2003 (image popup)