Given that the mining industry is committed to sustainable development principles and that Australia is experiencing changes to the regulatory environment that aim to modernise the water sector and encourage adoption of consistent approaches, there is a well defined need for the Australian minerals industry to develop a water accounting framework. This requires: key terms and definitions for water metrics for use in the Australian minerals industry that is consistent with the wider water sector, a suite of metrics representing key components of an operation's water balance, a calculation method for some of the metrics, and a reporting protocol._x000D_
This paper presents the methodology that was used to derive these four components._x000D_
Existing accounting frameworks were reviewed and key terms and definitions that were consistent with current requirements were proposed. A calculation methodology was developed to obtain some of the key indicators and variables that cannot be easily measured directly (water loss through evaporation is an example). The adopted terms and definitions dictated model development, with the conclusion that a systems approach was the most effective calculation process._x000D_
To test the proposed definitions and calculation methodology, values for water metrics were derived for eight sites._x000D_
The proposed framework and definitions could deal with the specific situations selected as case studies. The associated calculation methodology produced complete accounts at various levels. Some elements of the accounts could be directly checked against available data and simulations. The framework captured well variations in the reuse efficiencies; reuse efficiency could even vary for similar processes._x000D_
It is concluded that this preliminary accounting framework provides a consistent language and metrics for quantifying and communicating water management, both at the intersection of the site with the surrounding landscape (through detailed reporting of site inputs and outputs) and within operational activities. Using this consistent framework for quantifying and documenting water use within an operation will provide a platform for compiling and comparing minerals industry water use with other sectors. This may support benchmarking activities within regions or companies and help demonstrate leadership amongst water users in water resource stewardship._x000D_
The approach presented here is applicable to a wide variety of mining and processing activities, and biophysical environments, and can be adopted as the first step towards developing national water accounts for the Australian Minerals Industry._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Cote, C M and Moran, C J, 2009. A water accounting framework for the australian minerals industry, in Proceedings SDIMI 2009 - Sustainable Development Indicators in the Minerals Industry, pp 339-350 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).