Water use

Coal & Allied sites use a combination of fresh, poor quality and recycled water.  We aim to minimise the use of freshwater, so that it is available for other uses, and maximise the amount of water that is recycled.  For example, in-pit water captured on the site is recycled and used for dust suppression, truck washing and coal processing.

Results

In 2007, all Coal & Allied sites met their statutory water allocations.  However, Coal & Allied operations exceeded their own voluntary freshwater use targets.  Freshwater is defined as 'used' once it enters our operations - for example, via rainfall, groundwater seepage or pumped from an external source - and is immediately, or intended to be, used for coal mining and processing.

The 2007 target for Coal & Allied sites was to use 58 litres of freshwater per tonne of product. The actual use was above target with 114 litres of freshwater used. All sites exceeded their targets due to the prolonged drought in the first half of 2007. During these drought conditions, there was a greater reliance on fresh water from the Hunter River. However due to rainfall in June and the second half of the year more water was available for recycling.