Water
Access to water is critical to Rio Tinto's operations. We use water at every stage of our business - exploration, mining, processing, smelting and refining.
Each of our operations has its own set of water challenges. Some are located in water scarce environments where they compete with other water users, while some need to manage surplus water resulting from storms or groundwater. The quality of water is also a concern, as it can affect production or increase operating costs.
Water can have social, environmental and economic values. Communities need clean water for drinking and sanitation but, in many countries, water is either contaminated or insufficient to meet communities' needs. The world is also recognising the importance of good quality water for environmental flows and the value of water as an ecosystem service.
As our businesses have different concerns and challenges regarding water, each implements the strategy in its own way. Water is also closely linked to how we manage other resources and ecosystem services issues such as energy, climate change, and biodiversity.
- Approach
- Value of water
- Engagement
- Results
We take a strategic approach to managing water that incorporates these social, environmental and economic values. We have had a water strategy since 2005 that provides a framework for managing water related business risks and opportunities, and encourages long term thinking about water use. The strategy was developed following broad internal and external consultation.
Our operations need to improve their water management continually, in order to be good neighbours, reduce operational constraints, and demonstrate why Rio Tinto should be the developer of choice for new orebodies. Operations that reduce their demand through efficiency, technology and the use of lower quality and recycled water are more likely to have a competitive, economic and reputational advantage.
We use water at every stage of our business; for exploration, mining, processing, smelting and refining. We need water to process and mine ore, produce metal and power, cool equipment, manage waste tailings, suppress dust, for washing and drinking, and to supply communities. While the minerals and metals industry is a small user of water on a global and national scale, it can be the largest user at a local level.
We use water from different sources and of different qualities, such as groundwater (water sourced from aquifers), surface water (water sourced from rivers, lakes, rain and snow), sea water or water from dams that we build on site. In addition, some of our water is recycled - some sites are able to recycle up to 70 per cent - and some is sourced from external recycling and treatment plants. At many sites, we replace high quality (potable) water with poorer quality water to help conserve local water supplies.
We have developed a number of programmes to help achieve improved performance, including:
- a water target for all operations that aims to improve the efficiency of fresh water use;
- a water standard that sets the minimum expectations for each operation when managing water; and
- a water risk review that helps an operation assess risk and opportunities, and provides a holistic approach to water management.
Proposed emissions trading legislation in Australia
- The current Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) legislation disproportionately impacts the coal, aluminium and alumina industries and threatens the viability of low emissions technology development.
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Environmental publications
Water strategy sets the standards
- Ethical Corporation, an independent firm that encourages debate and discussion on responsible business practices, has recognised Rio Tinto's water strategy as providing a model for other businesses.
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