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Water is a key part of our operational environmental footprint and a shared resource critical to sustaining biodiversity, people and economic prosperity. Increasingly disrupted weather patterns and more extreme weather events due to climate change, and a growing world population, mean efficiently managing water is more important than ever.
The way we think about water, and manage associated risks, reflects the diversity of our operations and geographic locations. A small proportion of our assets operate in water-scarce regions, while others must remove excess water to allow safe mining operations. These are examples of the many potential risks we manage across the life cycle of our diverse operations.
We share water with the communities and nature surrounding our operations, so we aim to avoid permanent impacts on water resources, including lakes, streams and groundwater aquifers, by carefully managing the quality and quantity of the water we use and return to the environment. This means balancing the needs of our operations with those of local communities and local ecosystems. We do this while considering the impact of climate change, already felt in the level of rainfall and water security at some of our operations. To address this complexity, we adopt a catchment-level approach to developing potential solutions and managing our risks and impacts within our operations. We use baseline water stress as determined by the World Resources Institute to identify operational catchments of most concern.
As ICMM members, we report our practices against the commitments outlined in the ICMM water stewardship statement:
We are among the most transparent in the industry regarding our water stewardship. There are a range of water risks, not just water scarcity, so we have set targets – tailored to the specific challenges at each site – and publicly report on progress against each one. We also provide further detail through asset-level disclosures, which show inherent water risk at each site.
To manage our water impacts, we first need to understand the specific risks at more than 50 operating sites, as well as our overall Group impacts. To do this, we have developed a water risk framework that considers:
The water resource risk at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia is assessed as moderate even though it is located in the Gobi Desert. Oyu Tolgoi sources its water requirements from a deep water supply, the Gunii Hooloi aquifer, a 150-metre deep resource holding around 6.8 billion cubic metres of non-drinkable saline water. Oyu Tolgoi uses this water source efficiently with water recycling and conservation practices implemented across the operation.
Our QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) operation in Madagascar operates in a highly sensitive area from a water, broader environment and community perspective. The discharges from our operation have the potential to impact receiving water quality and, therefore, the water quality risk is assessed as high. We are working to improve management activities on site, including our ability to more accurately measure our water discharge quality, and the deployment of a dedicated water treatment plant to adjust the discharge pH.
Impacts associated with dewatering and water supply activities in the Pilbara are recognised as a very high risk for our business. Returning water to the aquifers impacted by our mining activities in a controlled manner is the focus of a number of studies. We are working with Traditional Owners on water management.
We may sometimes generate impacts that we are required to manage over the long term, such as post-closure pit lakes in the Pilbara, or potential seepage from our waste rock or tailings facilities in our aluminium and copper sites. Our systems and standards aim to ensure that risks are identified early and managed appropriately and responsibly throughout the asset lifecycle.
We use this framework to identify, assess and manage water risks. We use maximum reasonable consequence – the level of risk when no controls are in place – because it presents a clearer picture of the magnitude of the risk our sites must manage. This comprehensive approach extends beyond our mandatory reporting obligations and allows us to have relevant conversations about water risks internally and with stakeholders in the communities where we operate. Our Group water risk profile shows the level of exposure against each of the four risk categories. Most of our water risks sit in the “low” to “moderate” range. There are some in “very high” and “high” categories for each, however, regardless of the level of risk, we apply rigorous standards and processes to manage them.
Our five-year water targets allow us to be more transparent about our water usage, risk profile, management and specific challenges. These targets, and the data required to measure progress against them, are helping us become better water stewards.
Our water targets were set in 2019 and consist of one Group target and six site-based targets, reflecting our catchment-based approach and recognising that we manage vastly different water-related risks across our business. The site-based targets were chosen based on their water risk profile, our International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) commitments, and local community and environmental interdependencies. We continued to make progress against our Group target in 2022. We verified and updated water allocation volume data and estimated surface water catchment rainfall-runoff volumes for all our operations. A disclosure platform has been developed and is planned for public release in 2023.
In 2022, we continued to embed the last component of the framework – the Group water control library – which describes all controls identified to manage our water risks.
By 2023 we will disclose – for all managed operations – permitted surface water allocation volumes, their annual allocation usage and the associated surface water allocation catchment rainfall runoff volume estimate.
Water resource
On track
Water scarcity is defined as the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet usage demands within a region. Rio Tinto draw upon these regional water resources across the globe to supply operational demands.
With the increasing worldwide focus on sustainability and disclosures, the estimation and disclosure of regional catchment rainfall runoff and associated operational extraction provides the platform to respond to transparency and mining disclosure expectations.
With catchments recognised as a proxy for community and environment interdependencies, the target represents an opportunity to expand our foundation of trust with our stakeholders, further develop our understanding of cumulative and indirect catchment impacts and align with our commitment to the ICMM water position statement.
Progress remains on track. A disclosure platform has been developed and is planned for public release in 2023.
Site-Based Target
Water Risk Theme
Status
Our Iron Ore product group will complete six managed aquifer recharge investigations by 2023.
Dewatering (aquifer reinjection)
Impacts associated with dewatering and water supply activities in the Pilbara are recognised as a long-term risk for our business and gaining increasing regulatory interest. Adopting a long-term view as to how we best manage water resources in the Pilbara is key to ensuring we maintain our privilege to operate and our role as industry water stewards.
Returning water to the aquifer through managed aquifer recharge (MAR) supports this long-term approach. MAR is the process of adding water to aquifers in a controlled manner. It can take on many forms, including infiltration via basins, or galleries or by the use of injection bores. In practice, MAR supports a variety of purposes, including: storage of surplus dewatering for future-use, re-instatement of aquifers to pre-mining conditions, or controlling flow as a barrier to limit migration of saline or contaminated groundwater.
Application of the method requires a thorough understanding of the hydrogeology in the region and identification of a recharge process that is consistent and aligns with insitu hydrogeological parameters. Field testing of recharge processes provides a body of information that will inform the potential implementation of aquifer managed recharge programs within the business.
Successful completion of four of the proposed six managed aquifer recharge investigations.
Oyu Tolgoi will maintain average annual water use efficiency at 550 L/tonne of ore to concentrator over the period 2019-2023.
Water resource (intensity and efficiency)
Achieved for 2019 - 2022
Mongolia’s mining sector is a significant contributor to the economy as well as a key water user. Oyo Tolgoi copper and gold mine located in the water scarce South province has recognised the importance of optimising the use of the scarce water resources and taking a stewardship approach to ensure the long-term future of mine, natural environmental systems and local herder livelihoods.
In response to the situation, Oyu Tolgoi identified the Gunii Hooloi aquifer, a 150 metre deep resource holding around 6.8 billion cubic metres of non-drinkable saline water. The operation goes to great lengths to use its allocation from this water source efficiently with water recycling and conservation practices implemented throughout the operation resulting in Oyu Tolgoi having a design water efficiency of approximately half the industry average.
Oyu Tolgoi successfully maintained average annual water use efficiency below 550L/tonne of ore to concentrator over the previous water target period 2014-2018. With the operation expansion over the period 2019-2023 including the development and commissioning of the underground, Oyu Tolgoi will aim to maintain average annual water use efficiency below 550L/tonne of ore processing in concentrator over this next target period.
Average annual water use efficiency maintained below 550 L/tonne for 2022.
Kennecott will reduce average annual imported water per ton of ore milled by 5% over the 2014-18 baseline of 393gal/ton (1,487L/ton) at the Copperton Concentrator by 2023.
Water resource (import reduction)
Not on track
Kennecott operates the Bingham Canyon Mine, one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world in Bingham Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah. Operations commenced in 1898 with the mine and associated smelter currently producing around 1% of the world's copper.
Water scarcity remains an issue in Utah with the region heavily dependent on winter rains and snowfall. Kennecott has recognised the importance of optimizing the use of the scarce water resources and taking a stewardship approach in order to ensure the long-term future of mine, natural environmental systems and local livelihoods.
In response to the situation, Kennecott proposed water target focuses on improving water recycling within the Copperton Concentrator with an overall aim of reducing the external water import to the operation.
Kennecott has continued to focus on the target in 2022, which has resulted in improved water intensity through the concentrator, with the 2022 intensity 12% lower than in 2021. This brings the intensity in line with the 2014-2018 baseline.
ERA will achieve the planned total process water inventory treatment volume by 2023, as assumed in the Ranger water model.
Quantity/quality (inventory reduction)
ERA operate the Ranger uranium mine in Jabiru, Northern Territory. Operations are undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Mining Management Act Authorisation 0108. The site has a legislated commitment for rehabilitation activities to be undertaken. To enable this commitment to be achieved, effective depletion of the free process water inventory is required. ERA have developed a pathway by which this commitment can be satisfied through a variety of process water treatment technologies.
In May 2022, ERA commenced a feasibility study update in connection with a lower technical risk rehabilitation methodology and to further refine the Ranger Project Area rehabilitation execution scope, risks, cost and schedule. The 2022 Feasibility Study is forecast to be completed in September 2023 and will ultimately lead to a revised Mine Closure Plan, incorporating an updated Ranger water model.
* Ranger Mine is owned and operated by ERA. Rio Tinto is an 86.3% shareholder in ERA.
QMM will develop and implement an improved integrated site water management approach by 2023.
Quantity/quality (discharge quality)
Rio Tinto operate the QMM mine located in the Anosy region near Fort Dauphin on the south-eastern tip of Madagascar. QMM uses both dredge and dry mining to extract ilmenite (which contains 60% titanium dioxide) and zirsill (which contains zircon) from the resident heavy mineral sands. Operations at QMM commenced in December 2008. QMM operates in a highly sensitive area from a water and broader environmental perspective due to its location, the nature of the surrounding environment and the mining process. Given the potential exposure associated with the operations, QMM are committed to reviewing current practices and infrastructure to improve performance through the development of an integrated approach to site water management for implementation during the target period.
In 2022, we completed the development of our long-term water management strategy and implemented a pilot water treatment plant that allowed us to discharge water compliant with pH and aluminium criteria for the second half of the year. We are working to improve our long-term water management practices on site, including our ability to more accurately measure our water discharge quality, and the deployment of a full-scale dedicated water treatment plant.
QAL will complete the following four water-related improvement projects from the QAL 5-year Environment Strategy by 2023:
Quantity/quality (discharge quality) Joint Venture performance improvement
QAL is an alumina refinery located in Gladstone, Queensland and has been operational for over 50 years. Operations commenced in 1967 and QAL has progressively expanded production to be now one of the world’s largest alumina refineries.
The environmental improvement program and associated implementation plan has been developed to improve environmental risk management at the QAL refinery. The suite of environmental improvement projects covers air quality, odour, water and land.
The environmental improvement programme forms part of the QAL business plan, has been prepared in consultation with our employees, joint venture owners, Rio Tinto and Rusal, and informed by feedback from the Gladstone community and government bodies.
Progress of nominated water-related improvement projects is aligned with current project schedules.
Tier 1 water targets form part of the Rio Tinto external limited assurance programme Tier 2 water targets do not form part of the Rio Tinto external limited assurance programme
The Group water balance for 2022 (below) provides a simplified visual summary of where water was withdrawn from, discharged to, recycled/reused and consumed at our operations. The reported categories correlate with reporting requirements of the International Council of Mining & Metals (ICMM), Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI). See the Sustainability Fact Book for more detailed water balance information.
1. A gigalitre (GL) is 1,000 megalitres, or 1,000,000,000 litres.
Our Group water withdrawals for 2022 were 1,119 GL, a 4% increase compared with 2021. Freshwater or category 1 quality withdrawals accounted for 432 GL or 39% of this total, which remains consistent with our 2021 withdrawals. Freshwater is generally suitable for consumption with minimal treatment required. Where possible, we aim to minimise our extractions from water sources of this quality.
Total Group discharges for 2022 were 638 GL, a 3% reduction compared with 2021. Total water recycled or reused for 2022 was 328 GL, a 6% increase over our 2021 performance.
The World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas mapping tool is a widely used approach for assessing baseline water stress. We applied this tool to our operating portfolio to assess our 2022 baseline water stress profile. Our reporting prior to 2019 was based on the World Business Council Global Water Assessment Tool, which is no longer supported.
A review of the baseline water stress profile shows elevated water stress (ie high risk or above) at 17% of our managed operations. Cumulative operational withdrawals for these managed operations amount to 252 GL, with 13% of this demand sourced from freshwater resources, and the balance drawn from poorer water quality resources. This compares with all managed operations where 39% is sourced from freshwater resources and is a direction reflection of stewardship practices undertaken at our water-stressed operations. See the Sustainability Fact Book for more detailed water balance information on our water-stressed assets.
More
Water is precious in the arid South Gobi region, which receives on average 97 mm of rainfall each year. Local herders rely on shallow sources of groundwater from springs and wells for their animals. And we use water to produce copper, which is used in everything from computers and smartphones to solar panels and electric cars.
Our Oyu Tolgoi team goes to great lengths to use its allocated water efficiently, and balance our needs with those of the local community. To find a sustainable source of water, that would not impact local supplies, we surveyed the area seeking a new underground water supply. The work uncovered the Gunii Hooloi aquifer – which was more than 150-metres deep, holding around 6.8 billion cubic metres of non-drinkable saline water.
We also work with herders, local people and the government to protect the water in boreholes, existing wells and other community water supplies. One way we do this is through our community water monitoring programme – we monitor the levels and quality of water in herders’ hand-dug wells, and local herders make their own water records for comparison. The data has shown there has been no negative impact on the wells from the mine’s operations.
We have also invested in recycling and conservation practices that make Oyu Tolgoi one of the most water efficient mines of its kind in the world. More than 80% of the water used in production is recycled, and on average Oyu Tolgoi uses less than 500 litres of water to process a tonne of ore – around half the industry average.
We aim to thoughtfully steward the land on which we operate
Whatever our activity, we consider the potential to harm the environment through pollution
We are committed to protecting the environment where we work
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With the exception of the use of cookies, Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
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As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of our Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
With the exception of the use of cookies (explained below), Rio Tinto generally does not seek to collect personal data through this website. However if you choose to provide personal data to Rio Tinto through this website (for example, by sending us an email), we will process that personal data to answer your query and if relevant, to manage our business relationship with you or your company. We won't process that personal data for other purposes except where required to meet our legal obligations or otherwise as authorised by law and notified to you.
Part 1 of this Privacy Policy contains the Rio Tinto Data Privacy Standard, which provides an overview of Rio Tinto’s approach to personal data processing. There is additional information in the appendices to the Data Privacy Standard, including information about disclosures, trans-border data transfers, the exercise of data subject rights and how to make complaints or obtain further information relating to Rio Tinto’s processing of your personal data.
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With your consent, our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site.
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As some data privacy laws regulate IP addresses and other information collected through the use of cookies as personal data, Rio Tinto’s processing of such personal data needs to comply with its Data Privacy Standard (see Part 1 of this Privacy Policy), and also applicable data privacy laws.
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