A11. Modelling the role of water in the mining industry

This session will focus on modelling the role of water in the mining industry. Water is used in many phases of mining operations, from exploration through to rehabilitation post closure. As the mining industry continues to seek cost-effective and efficient ways to minimise its use of water, access to, and disposal of, that water is becoming more difficult due to a changing environment, e.g. extreme climate variability, competing interests. We are interested in all aspects of modelling and simulation of mine water use – system conceptualisation, data issues (e.g. quality, access), models, optimising water use, environmental impacts; across all phases of the industry – exploration, establishment, operations, closure and rehabilitiation; at site and regional scales; onsite and offsite. We request that papers include a critical evaluation of the utility and quality of the work, in the interests of seeking best practice.