4 KPIs for Water Stewardship: Sustainable Mining

The Water Stewardship Protocol, introduced by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) as part of the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative, offers a roadmap for mining companies to navigate the complexities of water management, focusing on sustainability, responsibility, and community engagement.

Embracing Water Stewardship for a Sustainable Mining Future

Water is not just a resource, it's a global necessity that intersects with ecological, social, and economic spheres. The Water Stewardship Protocol provides a structured framework for assessing and improving water stewardship performance, outlining clear indicators and criteria across four main areas:?

Indicator 1: Water Governance

Water Governance sets the stage for strong leadership. Establishes the foundational commitment and accountability mechanisms necessary for effective water stewardship, ensuring that these commitments are communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Indicator 2: Operational Water Management

Focuses on the implementation of water-related plans and management systems at the facility level, addressing both water quality and quantity. Ensures that facilities have comprehensive plans and systems in place for managing water responsibly, emphasizing risk assessment, monitoring, and response strategies.?

Indicator 3: Watershed-scale Planning

Watershed-scale Planning extends the scope of stewardship beyond the mine site, fostering cooperation and engagement with other water users and communities of interest (COI) within the watershed.

Indicator 4: Water Reporting and Performance

Advocates for the establishment of water-related objectives or targets, tracking and communicating performance to inform decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

Each indicator within the protocol is assessed against a set of criteria designed to gauge the level of a facility's water stewardship performance. These range from basic compliance (Level C) to leading practices (Level AAA), encouraging continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving water management challenges.

Toward a Sustainable Future

For mining executives and experts, this protocol offers a blueprint for integrating sustainable water management into the heart of their operations, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and shared value creation with communities and stakeholders.

In embracing the principles and practices outlined in the Water Stewardship Protocol, the mining industry can make significant strides towards sustainability, demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship and contributing to the well-being of ecosystems and communities alike.

Next Steps

Download the protocol and learn more about the TSM initiative at Mining Association of Canada's website.