To help mines assess and improve their water management practices, SRK has developed a comprehensive database and benchmarking tool. This tool evaluates key water management metrics across the industry, leveraging widely recognized International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) water accounting standards. Each metric is broken down by water quality (high or low) and source (surface water, groundwater, seawater, or third-party water). This granular approach allows mines to compare their performance with others and identify specific areas for improvement.
A meaningful benchmark considers the unique characteristics of each operation. For example, an open-pit copper mine in a dry climate will have different needs than an underground gold mine in a tropical region. The SRK tool allows users to apply filters—such as mine type, location, climate, and processing methods—to ensure a like-for-like comparison.
Let us consider an anonymous open-pit copper mine in Chile that withdraws 1.62 m3/tonne ore processed. When benchmarked against all mines, it ranks in the 38th percentile for water withdrawals, indicating it withdraws less water than 62% of mines. This may seem efficient. However, when compared only to other open-pit copper mines in dry climates, it ranks in the 64th percentile, suggesting there is room for improvement.
The insights gained from benchmarking can form the basis of the improvement process, and tools like marginal abatement cost curves and multiple accounts analyses can be used to prioritize high impact low-cost opportunities for improvement.
Like any tool, benchmarking has its limitations. The SRK database relies on self-reported data, which can introduce inaccuracies. While 90% of the companies for which data were collected adhere to ICMM and GRI standards, there is no universal method to verify the data. Additionally, the tool compares operations to industry norms rather than theoretical maximum efficiencies, and regional reporting standards can vary. Despite these challenges, benchmarking provides invaluable insights. By identifying areas of improvement, operations can reduce both their environmental impact and the risks associated with water scarcity.
Water scarcity remains a critical risk to the global mining industry, but our pathway to improved water efficiency is attainable. Benchmarking offers a practical starting point for mines to assess their performance and prioritize actions. By leveraging data and learning from peers, mining operations can take meaningful steps toward sustainable water management—ensuring both their operational resilience and their environmental stewardship for decades to come.
