A water management plan (WMP) is a formally documented, site-specific strategic document that describes the policies, objectives, infrastructure, monitoring programs, operational procedures, and reporting commitments that govern how water is managed throughout all phases of a mining project. A WMP is typically required as a condition of a mining environmental approval or water use licence and must be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in operations, seasonal conditions, or regulatory requirements. For bauxite mining operations, a WMP outlines the management of freshwater abstraction from streams or aquifers, ore washing water circuits, refinery process water systems, red mud disposal facility water management, and stormwater control. Gold mine water management plans are particularly detailed regarding the management of cyanide-bearing tailings return water, acid rock drainage collection systems, and the protocols for managing excess water during high-rainfall events. Iron ore mine WMPs address the volumes and quality of water pumped from open pits, the management of fine tailings slurries, and the quality requirements for water discharged to natural drainage systems. Diamond mine WMPs incorporate security-sensitive considerations around water recycling in diamond recovery areas. A comprehensive WMP typically includes a dynamic water balance model, water accounting reports, monitoring and trigger action response protocols (TARPs), contingency measures for water excess or deficit scenarios, and a schedule of regulatory reporting obligations.
