Capcoal Mine has modified its water use practices over the past 15 years. Two issues have changed the way water was managed: an economic review of water supply options for a planned expansion of the coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) in the early 1990s, and increasing neighbour concerns about discharge of worked water from the mine into the local streams._x000D_
These issues resulted in commitment by the site General Manager to cease discharge of worked water from site and to convert from using raw water to worked water in the CHPP. Operational needs, societal demands and continuing dry weather are again demanding change to the site's water management strategy. This paper outlines the drivers for past and future operational change._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Merritt, J L and Macintosh, J C, 2006._x000D_
Water management at Capcoal Mine - past, present and future drivers for sustainable change, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2006, pp 57-64 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).