Integrating the mining sector into water planning and entitlements regimes
| Objective: | The project was commissioned to promote discussion of the issues raised in clause 34 of the National Water Initiative (NWI) in further detail, to improve understanding of the circumstances that are unique to the mining sector, to improve understanding of whether these circumstances impede implementation of the NWI, and to identify options for incorporating the water used by the mining sector into existing water planning and water access entitlement processes. |
| Funding: |
Up to $200,000 |
| Jurisdiction: | National |
| Commencing: | September 2010 |
| Project status: | Finalised |
| Outputs: | Waterlines 77: Integrating the mining sector into water planning and entitlements regimes |
About the project
This project investigated emerging issues and options for incorporating the water used by the mining sector* and associated access regimes into water planning and water access entitlement processes.
The National Water Initiative (NWI) recognises that water plans are to provide for secure ecological and resource security outcomes, which can include water used by the mining sector (clause 37). The NWI also recognises that there may be special circumstances faced by the mining sector that will need to be addressed by policies and measures beyond its scope (clause 34). However, progress has been slow in identifying these special circumstances, including ways of integrating these provisions into water planning processes.
The project was commissioned to promote discussion of the issues raised in clause 34 in further detail, to improve understanding of the circumstances that are unique to the mining sector, to improve understanding of whether these circumstances impede implementation of the NWI, and to identify options for incorporating the water used by the mining sector into existing water planning and water access entitlement processes.
Project outcomes
The project delivered a Waterlines report that provides water managers, planners and mining interests with options for integrating mining operations into current and future water planning and management regimes.
This project developed a number of principles that jurisdictions may wish to consider in their ongoing efforts to better integrate water planning management arrangements in line with their NWI commitments. The report is intended as a discussion paper and proposes options that would involve some innovation in NWI arrangements and which should be the subject of careful consideration. The Commission believes it will provide a valuable resource for jurisdictions and mining sector representatives to further explore NWI consistent arrangements for the mining sector.
* For the purposes of this project, the term mining refers to all activities taking place on a mine lease and miscellaneous leases that are associated with the extraction and on-site processing of ore (e.g. ore recovery, tailings management, water supply, coal washery and beneficiation). Non-mine related activities such as exploration, loading facilities, ports and transport infrastructure, and smelting that take place external to the site or before a mining lease is granted are not included in the term.