Water in mining challenges for the Australian and international mining industry

Two major themes are addressed in this paper. Firstly, current and emerging concepts and issues (water banking, regional water treatment, geothermal energy, regulation) impinging on the management and beneficial use of minewaters. Secondly, the issue of cumulative impacts of mining on water resources which is of concern where ever large proportions of river catchments have become progressively more affected through time by expansion of a regional mining industry. Finally, sulfate is addressed as an emerging horizon issue in the context of cumulative impacts of mining discharges on river systems.