Through in-depth consideration and a variety of initiatives, iron-ore miner Kumba Iron Ore is effectively reducing freshwater use at its operations, as well as positively contributing to water stewardship activities surrounding its operations, the miner reports to Mining Weekly.

Given that Kumba’s operations are situated in the water-scarce Northern Cape, responsible water stewardship is a core operational and social priority for the miner, the company notes.

“Our stewardship approach is grounded in a clear understanding of the site context, the needs of stakeholders within the catchment and how internal changes influence regional impacts,” says Kumba Iron Ore.

These considerations enable informed target setting, effective management of operational and catchmentlevel risks, proactive engagement and inclusive decisionmaking.

South Africa’s mining industry plays a critical role in ensuring that water stewardship forms part of operations, the company says, noting that mining should not degrade water quality or compromise the access rights of other users.

As Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen and Kolomela mines are conventional openpit operations, the main consumptive use of water is for dust suppression, while losses occur through evaporation from mine circuits and entrainment in tailings and product.

Kumba also endeavours to reduce water losses through a closed-loop system, recycling mine-affected water for use in the process plant.

To reduce water use for dust suppression, Kumba Iron Ore has implemented real-time monitoring and control programmes for dust and airborne pollutants across its operations, with results informing controls and initiatives to reduce exposure, explains Kumba Iron Ore.

The company elaborates that both Sishen and Kolomela continue to improve engineering controls to eliminate respirable dust and silica overexposures, supported by advances in dust suppression and pollutant extraction technology in mining pits, on haul roads and at crushers and conveyor belts.

In mining areas, chemical dust binders are mixed with water and sprayed on primary and secondary roads to suppress dust generated by trucks transporting waste rock and ore, which contributes to water savings as water for dust suppression is used more efficiently.

In plant areas, dust-related risk-mitigation controls include mist sprayers and foggers for conveyor belts and ore stockpiles as well as water cannons to wet ore prior to reclamation.

Further, at the Sishen operation, Kumba Iron Ore uses treated sewage effluent, or grey water, from the nearby Kathu wastewater treatment works to increase the proportion of groundwater exported to the Kathu reservoir.

Groundwater, accessed through dewatering boreholes, remains the primary water source at Kumba Iron Ore’s operations, with municipal water used only for domestic purposes, the company explains.

Strategic Priorities
Alongside reducing water use, Kumba Iron Ore is also supporting equitable water access and ecosystem resilience through surplus water management and aquifer recharge.

Aligned to this, the miner has identified three key water-related challenges, including a high groundwater table around openpits, which can affect safety and production, the risk of excess water build-up and potential discharges, alongside broader regional water security constraints in an arid province.

In response to these challenges, Kumba has implemented a catchment-wide stewardship approach, supported by targeted onsite interventions and collective action initiatives, the company outlines.

Beyond its operations, the company works closely with regional stakeholders to safeguard shared water resources, support municipal capacity and enhance social and economic outcomes for communities. This includes maintaining a stable and adaptive water system, managing surplus water responsibly and strengthening community participation through ongoing engagement and partnerships.

In this regard, Kumba Iron Ore collaborates with the Department of Water and Sanitation and bulk water service provider Vaal Central Water through the Northern Cape Mine Leadership Forum, to support the completion of the Vaal Gamagara Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 upgrade project.