Water

About us

At Anglo American we're re-imagining mining to improve people's lives.

Products

Our metals are the essential ingredients in smartphones, electric cars, wind turbines; and our diamonds fulfil your dreams.

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Sustainability

We have developed a Sustainable Mining Plan that will foster innovation and deliver step change results across the entire mining value chain.

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Sustainable Mining Plan

We have developed a Sustainable Mining Plan that will foster innovation and deliver step change results across the entire mining value chain.

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FutureSmart Mining™

Smart innovation in technology, digitisation & sustainability working hand in hand to connect metals & minerals to all of us who need and value them.

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Investors

Our operational and financial performance, presentations and reports.

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Join us in transforming the very nature of the industry to help create a safer, cleaner, smarter future.

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Media

We have developed a Sustainable Mining Plan that will foster innovation and deliver step change results across the entire mining value chain.

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Suppliers

We have developed a Sustainable Mining Plan that will foster innovation and deliver step change results across the entire mining value chain.

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Origins

We have developed a Sustainable Mining Plan that will foster innovation and deliver step change results across the entire mining value chain.

Our approach to water

Mining remains a water-intensive industry and we anticipate global water supplies to remain stressed amid the ongoing impact of climate change and variability, with increasing extreme weather events. To address these challenges, we have made water stewardship an integral part of how we operate across all our sites.

Given that more than 70% of Anglo American’s current asset portfolio is located in water stressed regions, it is essential that we reduce our dependence on water and associated tailings facilities. We will always need water, but we have increased efficiency through re-use and recycling with our innovative mining technologies such as particle recovery (CPR) and hydraulic dewatered stacking (HDS)

Milestones and targets

2030

Reduce the withdrawal of fresh water by 50% in water scarce areas against the 2015 baseline

Water stewardship in practice

We are committed to ensuring that the water resources we manage and the savings we achieve by reducing fresh water withdrawals translate to additional water availability in ways that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial.

Following an 18-month pilot period at our El Soldado copper mine’s technology-testing hub in Chile, the two processes, working in tandem with each other have accelerated dewatering times significantly and yielded water recoveries of around 80%, while considerably lowering the liquefaction risk of stored tailings, as well as delivering significant energy savings. Moreover, with a reduced and dry, re-usable area, mine closure can be carried out in months, rather than years, and the land can be repurposed for community benefit.

Our approach to water

Our water team continued to work with each of our operations and business units to identify opportunities to achieve our Sustainable Mining Plan goal of reducing Groupwide fresh water withdrawals in water scarce areas by 50% by 2030.

Water management policy and standard

Our approach to water management is embedded in our business plans and aligned with the Social Way, which recognises that access to water is a priority for our stakeholders.

Annual assessment of water-related risks and opportunities

We have designated water security as a principal risk for the Group as it is essential for our operations over the current life of mine and to support future growth.

Engagement with stakeholders

We work closely with other stakeholders to manage water supply and the social, reputational and operational risks that result from our water use. Our Social Way helps us to understand our water-related socioeconomic impacts, and to enhance stakeholder dialogue and the management of social issues.

The Water-less Mine

As part of our FutureSmart Mining™ approach to innovation and sustainability, we have developed four aspirational concepts that we are working to achieve. In this article, we take a look at the Water-less Mine and its future impact on water use in mining

FutureSmart Mining

Circular economy

The products we provide are essential for the future of society, particularly as we strive to build a more sustainable and decarbonised world.

Global demand for metals and minerals is expected to increase substantially in the coming decades to meet this challenge. This reinforces the importance of being able to provide the goods and services society needs to grow, while managing impacts and deliver

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Sustainability Report 2023

Download full PDF Sustainability Report 2023 document which size of 8.58MB

Our policies and supporting documents

Our comprehensive set of policies, standards and principles ensure that we uphold the commitments we make to our stakeholders and work towards a common set of ambitions.

Title

Format

Group Water Policy

2020: Water (CDP)

2019: Water (CDP)

2018: Water (CDP)

2017: Water (CDP)