What is the state of play for catalyzing water security in the mining sector?

This was the key question that Christina Copeland, senior manager for water security at CDP, explored during the Water in Mining conference. The event took place from April 9 to 10, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario.

During her presentation, Copeland summarized some of the key findings from CDP’s 2018 global water report titled Treading Water: Corporate Responses to Rising Water Challenges.

Currently, 50 mineral extraction companies are reporting their water-related information through CDP. By disclosing, companies can compare themselves to other companies within the sector. The information provided by companies to CDP can also be used for cross-sector benchmarking.

Some of the key findings from the report are summarized below:

  • 88 per cent of mineral extraction companies that reported to CDP are measuring and monitoring their water. 59 per cent of the total companies that disclosed their water-related information to CDP are regularly measuring and monitoring their water.
  • 72 per cent of mineral extraction companies that reported to CDP conduct comprehensive risk assessments. 62 per cent of the total companies that disclosed to CDP conduct comprehensive risk assessments.
  • 47 per cent of mineral extraction companies that reported to CDP integrate water into their governance mechanisms. 40 per cent of the total companies that disclosed to CDP integrate water into their governance mechanisms.
  • 16 per cent of mineral extraction companies that reported to CDP have set water targets or goals. 29 per cent of the total companies that disclosed to CDP have set water targets or goals.

For mineral extraction companies, a benefit of disclosing water-related information is that it validates their claims that they have effective management in place. According to Copeland, investors are also paying more attention to water use in the mining sector and they are asking for this information from companies.

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