15
and quantitative impacts on local water sources 55,57 .A
study by 47 examined 16 coal mines in the Bowen Basin
in Australia under extremely dry, normal and extremely
wet climatic conditions. The study showed significant dif-
ferences in the sensitivity of parameters between mines
under different climatic conditions. Based on these results,
countermeasures can be derived that can be implemented
through proactive design of water infrastructure to adapt a
mine to fluctuating or challenging climatic conditions.
In addition to unconventional fresh water resources,
a mining operation affected by water stress requires opti-
mized, closed-loop systems that are protected from evapora-
tion. An increase in service water storage could be achieved
by increasing rainwater collection, building dams or enlarg-
ing the catchment area. Water consumption should be
optimized in certain areas, for example by using lower qual-
ity water where high water quality is not important, or by
using efficient water treatment in conjunction with renew-
able energy sources such as solar panels to reduce primary
energy demand and costs. In regions with a significant
surplus of water, the management of excessive runoff and
the prevention of landslides or dam failures during heavy
rainfall is a priority. To minimize the risk of uncontrolled
runoff, factors such as the level of service water storage, the
amount of rainwater collected and water recirculation must
be taken into account. Additional water storage could make
surplus water available for other processes. Consideration
should be given to whether renewable energy can be used to
support demand and reduce the cost of active dewatering.
In the planning phase of a mining project, detailed
designs for the operational areas and associated water infra-
structure are developed based on local requirements. This
phase is crucial for considering the potential future uses of
the infrastructure after mine closure. Water can be used in
a variety of ways during the production phase, such as ore
processing, cooling or dust control. Renewable energy can
also be supported through the implementation of pumped
storage power plants in combination with solar or wind
farms. The construction of water infrastructure marks the
first visible environmental impacts, such as changes in
topography, changes in surface runoff and hydraulic effects
on local aquifers 55 .At the same time, the water manage-
ment and monitoring program will be further detailed to
provide accurate information on the estimated water flows
from different facility units and the entire catchment area.
At this stage, it is critical to identify the aspects of the min-
ing operation that have the highest water demand or have
the greatest impact on water quality.
During the operational phase of mining, it is critical
to continuously collect data on water quality and quantity.
This ongoing data collection helps to refine water balance
models and update management plans. Feedback on water
quality and quantity is also shared with stakeholders to
keep them informed. Important aspects of integrated water
management during mine closure include rigorous mon-
itoring to ensure ongoing water quality and the integra-
tion of potential water uses into regional energy and water
supply systems. Water use strategies for the post-mining
phase must be continuously reviewed to ensure that exist-
ing infrastructure and geological conditions altered by
mining activities are still suitable for their intended uses.
Sustainability and community well-being are key. Any
potential water use requires a comprehensive risk analy-
sis to assess the impact on water quality and availability.
In this way, the closure phase of a mine can be effectively
transitioned from extraction activities to a sustainable post-
mining phase that contributes positively to the local com-
munity and environment.
Challenges of IWM in the Mining Sector
The implementation of integrated water management
(IWM) in the mining sector faces numerous challenges
Figure 9. Areas and principles of “Blue Mining” – a focus on circularity
and quantitative impacts on local water sources 55,57 .A
study by 47 examined 16 coal mines in the Bowen Basin
in Australia under extremely dry, normal and extremely
wet climatic conditions. The study showed significant dif-
ferences in the sensitivity of parameters between mines
under different climatic conditions. Based on these results,
countermeasures can be derived that can be implemented
through proactive design of water infrastructure to adapt a
mine to fluctuating or challenging climatic conditions.
In addition to unconventional fresh water resources,
a mining operation affected by water stress requires opti-
mized, closed-loop systems that are protected from evapora-
tion. An increase in service water storage could be achieved
by increasing rainwater collection, building dams or enlarg-
ing the catchment area. Water consumption should be
optimized in certain areas, for example by using lower qual-
ity water where high water quality is not important, or by
using efficient water treatment in conjunction with renew-
able energy sources such as solar panels to reduce primary
energy demand and costs. In regions with a significant
surplus of water, the management of excessive runoff and
the prevention of landslides or dam failures during heavy
rainfall is a priority. To minimize the risk of uncontrolled
runoff, factors such as the level of service water storage, the
amount of rainwater collected and water recirculation must
be taken into account. Additional water storage could make
surplus water available for other processes. Consideration
should be given to whether renewable energy can be used to
support demand and reduce the cost of active dewatering.
In the planning phase of a mining project, detailed
designs for the operational areas and associated water infra-
structure are developed based on local requirements. This
phase is crucial for considering the potential future uses of
the infrastructure after mine closure. Water can be used in
a variety of ways during the production phase, such as ore
processing, cooling or dust control. Renewable energy can
also be supported through the implementation of pumped
storage power plants in combination with solar or wind
farms. The construction of water infrastructure marks the
first visible environmental impacts, such as changes in
topography, changes in surface runoff and hydraulic effects
on local aquifers 55 .At the same time, the water manage-
ment and monitoring program will be further detailed to
provide accurate information on the estimated water flows
from different facility units and the entire catchment area.
At this stage, it is critical to identify the aspects of the min-
ing operation that have the highest water demand or have
the greatest impact on water quality.
During the operational phase of mining, it is critical
to continuously collect data on water quality and quantity.
This ongoing data collection helps to refine water balance
models and update management plans. Feedback on water
quality and quantity is also shared with stakeholders to
keep them informed. Important aspects of integrated water
management during mine closure include rigorous mon-
itoring to ensure ongoing water quality and the integra-
tion of potential water uses into regional energy and water
supply systems. Water use strategies for the post-mining
phase must be continuously reviewed to ensure that exist-
ing infrastructure and geological conditions altered by
mining activities are still suitable for their intended uses.
Sustainability and community well-being are key. Any
potential water use requires a comprehensive risk analy-
sis to assess the impact on water quality and availability.
In this way, the closure phase of a mine can be effectively
transitioned from extraction activities to a sustainable post-
mining phase that contributes positively to the local com-
munity and environment.
Challenges of IWM in the Mining Sector
The implementation of integrated water management
(IWM) in the mining sector faces numerous challenges
Figure 9. Areas and principles of “Blue Mining” – a focus on circularity