The business case for accurate mine water management (2017)

Dr Kym L Morton PhD MBA C Geol FSAIMM Pr Sci Nat 
KLM Consulting Services Pty Ltd

Abstract
During the recession the mining industry has reduced costs wherever possible. The easy  cost cutting has been done. Innovation in faster, better and cheaper ore extraction has  led the way with emphasis on reductions in maintenance (just-in-time) and targeted  management of input costs. 
One area which has been neglected is the reduction of water costs. Reducing the cost of  water to business has the added advantage of reducing the costs of managing  environmental impacts. Water affects mining as input and output costs. Water is used in  all aspects of production and processing. Ground water, in particular, is often  misunderstood and intercepted at the last possible moment resulting in increased costs for  pumping and treatment which is often not necessary if the water is intercepted prior to  coming into contact with the ore body and pollutants such as diesel. 

Morton, K.L. (2017) ‘The business case for accurate mine water management’, South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Water Conference Proceedings, July 2017.