Resource Stewardship
We constantly explore new ways to maximise the value of our resources. For example, a new process at our BMA Peak Downs Mine (Australia) is not only reducing coal loss by approximately nine per cent but also improving the mine’s sustainability performance through reducing the area disturbed, waste production and fuel consumption, the latter assisting to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets.
Read more: Environment Case Studies>Stewardship>BMA Last Drop Coal Removal Program.
Mt Arthur Coal (Australia) has implemented a comprehensive water management system founded upon recycling initiatives developed in partnership with the local community, Council and neighbouring mines. The system aims to maximise capture and reuse of mine water and grey water from the local sewerage treatment works to reduce the need to draw from clean water sources, including the Hunter River. The reuse system is enhanced by artificial wetlands constructed from coarse reject, a waste product from coal processing, which filters the treated effluent prior to reuse on site. Each year approximately 800ML (some 90 per cent of total effluent) produced from local sewerage treatment works is reused.
Read more: Employee HSEC Awards>Environmental Awards.
Utilising Secondary Materials and Wastes
While we support the utilisation of secondary materials and wastes from sources external to the organisation, the amount we use at our operations is low due to our primary business activities being related to resource extraction and not downstream processing. We do, however, continue to collect information related to the use of secondary materials and wastes from external sources and seek to maximise these opportunities where they exist. The following demonstrate our use of external secondary materials and wastes.
Waste Water
Approximately 0.3 per cent of BHP Billiton’s water demand is provided by waste water from external sources:
- Mt Arthur Coal (Australia) used 1,030 ML of town effluent for coal processing in 2006.
- Kambalda Nickel Concentrator (Australia) used 204 ML from waste water from municipal treatment plant in 2006.
- Crinum underground coking coal mine (Australia) provides waste water to a neighbouring mine for use in coal processing.
Waste Oil
Approximately 0.13 per cent of BHP Billiton’s energy demand is supplied by waste oil from external sources:
- Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter (Australia) uses reprocessed waste oil for furnace fuel instead of diesel and natural gas.
- EKATI Diamonds (Canada) uses waste oil from neighbouring mines for heating (read more:Environment Case Studies>Energy Efficiency).
Scrap Steel
- Approximately 17,000 tonnes of scrap metal was used in the melting process at DMS Powders (South Africa) in 2006.
We also report on the internal and external use of waste materials generated at our operations. Read more:
- Environment>Our Approach>Resource Conservation
- Environment>Our Performance>Resource Use
- Environment Case studies on coal fine reuse and waste water reuse.
