Why water policy will shape the future of mining in Africa
Share Article
Why water policy will shape the future of mining in Africa
Water security is one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s mining industry.
By Michael Strain, Managing Partner, Tanzania; Rainbow Field, Director; Bwalya Chilufya-Musonda, and Wandisile Mandlana, Partners, Bowmans
According to the World Bank, the mining sector accounts for 10% of industrial water use in Africa.
Climate change, ageing or insufficient water infrastructure, and the contamination of surface and groundwater systems have all contributed to increasing water scarcity.
To address these challenges, all water users, including those in the mining industry, must implement innovative methods to protect limited water resources.
For the mining industry to succeed in effective water management, it is essential that the implementation of water policies across the continent is stable, certain and promotes investment in water resources and related infrastructure.
Water policies in Africa
African governments have been developing water policies in response.
In Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda permit systems have been strengthened and now require mining companies to demonstrate how they manage their water use and prevent contamination before licences are granted or renewed.
In South Africa, water users have had a duty to prevent water pollution since 1998.
Further, the South African Parliament is currently considering amendments to strengthen water pollution prevention mechanisms and measures to promote equitable allocation of the water resources.
The legislative framework in South Africa includes the National Water Act, the National Environmental Management Act and the Climate Change Act. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange Sustainability and Climate Disclosure Guidance outlines a process for listed companies to report on water-related risks.
Similar legal frameworks are found in Kenya – the Environmental Management and Coordination (Water Quality) Regulations; Namibia – the Water Resources Management Act; and Zambia – the Water Resources Management Act and the Environmental Management Act.
Local laws within international frameworks
The relevant local laws must also be considered with the international frameworks for water management standards, which provide guidance on how mining companies should manage and report on their water management projects.
Such standards include the International Financial Reporting Standards, the S2 Climate‑related Disclosures standard, the Task Force on Climate‑related Financial Disclosures, the International Council on Mining and Metals Water Accounting Framework, and the Global Reporting Initiative standards.
Mining companies have noted that water management has gone from being a compliance burden to being a core part of their business strategy. This is especially the case considering the often complex legal and institutional arrangements relating to water governance.
Solutions and initiatives
To align with continent-wide water policies, mining companies are implementing initiatives that reduce reliance on freshwater, recycle mine-impacted water and prevent contamination.
Water management at the catchment level is also increasing, with governments, mining companies and communities working together to manage shared resources.
In South Africa, acid mine drainage from abandoned mines has been a persistent threat to both humans and the natural environment.
To date, not much funding has gone into long remediation projects for acid mine drainage, but several large projects are now treating water impacted by mining and supplying municipalities with the reclaimed water.
In Namibia, water scarcity has long been a challenge, and mines have worked with the government to implement desalination and recycling systems.
The situation is similar in the hot and dry conditions of Northern Africa, where desalination projects and water recycling systems have also been implemented.
Mining companies turn to technology
Mining companies are also turning to technology, implementing closed-loop water recycling systems and advanced treatment technologies to monitor water levels and contamination.
African mining companies that lead in responsible water management are complying with a rapidly developing policy landscape,
They are also contributing to the long-term resilience of communities and natural ecosystems that rely on critical water resources to survive.
Image: Water security is one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s mining industry. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica
Why water policy will shape the future of mining in Africa