“The recent Stern report sent a clear signal about the need to address such issues early to avoid higher costs and environmental calamity,” Centre for Water in the Mineral Industry director Professor Chris Moran said.

The mining industry will discuss these issues at the international Water in Mining 2006 conference in Brisbane from November 14 to 16.

The conference, organised by the Australasian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy, will look at the changing nature of the value of water in the 21st century.

“Mining in Australia is booming … but minerals production is as reliant on water as irrigation and facing the same stresses as other industries as the drought bites deeper. This conference is looking at how to produce more minerals with less water,” Moran said.

“The conference will showcase how industry is looking at the value of recycled water, effluents and other grades of water. By using this ‘used’ water we can take pressure off drinking water for town supplies.”

John Merritt from Anglo Coal Australia agreed that saving water makes good business sense.

“As an industry, we’re interested in lowering our costs and continuing to produce minerals to meet the high demand,” he said.

“By using less water in mines, there is reduced pressure on the environment, less cost for the industry and more water available for people living in rural towns.”

The mining industry is Australia’s largest export earner, returning $90 billion to the country over the last financial year, and uses 2–3% of national water supplies.

Moran said the conference would include a policy discussion between industry, research, the engineering community and all levels of government, with a focus on important issues facing water reform and the practical needs for putting policy in place.