QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/42546
SunWater providing end-to-end water management solutions Innovative solutions to onsite water management have become critical to successfull MME operations. E ffective water management has become a critical component in mine operations, with con- sumption rates of fresh water per tonne of coal produced up in the hundreds of litres. With water essential for a number of activities across the mine site, particularly coal washing, dust management, drilling and human consumption, innovative solutions to manage water are critical to delivering mine operations with significant cost savings and assist in reducing their environmental footprint. Understanding water and how to manage it efficiently is a challenge that many mine operations are faced with and without expert planning can cost more time and resources during the approvals and construction phases. In addition to time and resources, regulatory conditions, environmental restrictions, and the interaction with surrounding communities can all pose limitations on a mine operation. For a mine, these unknowns can affect productivity. But for a leader in water management, it's just part of every day business. SunWater, Queensland's leading bulk water infrastructure developer and manager, has [84] QLD Mining and Energy Bulletin Spring 2011 been in the business of managing water for over 80 years and with the responsibility of supplying 40 per cent of all water used commercially throughout the state, understands the finer details on making water work. With $7billion in existing bulk water infrastructure assets and another $4billion on the development pathway, SunWater's experience is unparalleled when it comes to providing reliable and innovative solutions for managing water in any environment. Over the past decade SunWater has been able to assist more and more mining customers in the delivery of a reliable and secure water supply, as well as end-to-end water management solutions. General Manager of Infrastructure Development, Mark Browne, believes that SunWater's regional network is one of the driving forces behind SunWater's success within the mining sector. "Our experienced team has been on the ground in regional Queensland for years and their intricate knowledge of regional water quality, historical water supply and drought events, local communities and environmental conditions can't be matched," he said. "This fact alone leads to water management solutions that create efficiencies in time and money for our customers." "By utilising a full service approach to operations and maintenance SunWater is able to customise water supply and management solutions that are right for the mine and its unique systems." "Our team confidently works across industries from mining, energy, urban and irrigation and are able to combine their knowledge of water with each industry to develop strategies for efficient use by organisations and their surrounding environments." As manager and operator of 23 water supply schemes across Queensland, SunWater's key capability is providing mining operations with an analysis on how they can best utilise existing infrastructure to maximise their operations and ensure reliable water supply. This then flows into the development of a solution designed in conjunction with mining operators to best understand their consumption of water in the various parts of the mining operations. An understanding of effective water balances at a mine allows the opportunities for substitution of water of other qualities to be identified. In addition to the core business of operation and maintenance of water supply schemes, which feature 19 major dams, 63 weirs and barrages, 84 major pumping stations and nearly 2,700 kilometres of channels and pipelines, Sunwater owns and operates [Products and Services Showcase] Water Treatment