Conserving natural resources and mitigating impacts
water stewardship
Total water consumption for the Group was 34 775 megalitres, a 6.5%
decrease in our unit consumption rate of water over the 2013 levels
Further details on the total water withdrawn, consumed and recycled at each of our operations are provided in the performance table here.
| Consumption (Mℓ) |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
| 1) Water from water service providers or municipalities |
7 515 |
8 851 |
10 722 |
12 636 |
11 970 |
| 2) Waste water from other organisations |
2 313 |
2 598 |
2 767 |
3 769 |
3 668 |
| 3) Water from rivers |
2 175 |
2 344 |
2 124 |
2 337 |
2 659 |
| 4) Water from dams |
6 696 |
8 777 |
7 891 |
7 016 |
7 506 |
| 5) Water from ground water |
2 667 |
2 870 |
1 770 |
1 287 |
1 276 |
| Water withdrawn (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5) |
21 365 |
25 440 |
25 274 |
27 045 |
27 079 |
| Water internally recycled |
13 409 |
15 271 |
14 840 |
14 823 |
9 981 |
| Total water consumption |
34 775 |
40 711 |
40 114 |
41 868 |
37 060 |
| Notes: |
|
| Note 1: |
From 2011 the Zimplats and Mimosa water withdrawn from rivers and dams excludes water provided to communities (in line with the SA operations). |
| Note 2: |
At Marula and Zimplats, fissure water is included as groundwater from 2011. Our Zimplats operation uses a potentially significant amount of fissure water in one of its mining operations that has not as yet been quantified. |
| Note 3: |
From 2011 the Refineries water withdrawn includes domestic water (offices, stores, etc.). This is in line with Group reporting. |
| Note 4: |
Unit consumption is in kl/tonne ore milled except for Refineries which is kl/tonne matte milled. |
Our water focus for 2015 and beyond
We have prioritised various activities in the year ahead. These include:
- Increasing the percentage of water that we recycle to 40%, and reducing our water withdrawn including potable water
- Continuing to engage with authorities and communities on water-related issues to ensure we meet regulatory and society expectations
- Reviewing and updating our water conservation strategy and driving its implementation at operational level
- Investigating the feasibility of water treatment alternatives.
Water (Mℓ)
Sustainable development
2014
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