Environmental protection | Water management » Water Management

Source: http://www.doksinet WATER MANAGEMENT 1. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES This Global Standard sets the minimum Newmont requirements to proactively plan and manage water from exploration to post-closure in accordance with Newmont’s Water Strategy such that human health, community water needs, and the environment are protected. 2. REQUIREMENTS 2.1 Planning and Design 2.11 A site water management plan or equivalent shall be developed utilizing an integrated, basin-wide approach that addresses external stakeholder and mine water needs and includes:          Strategic objectives for water management, Environmental design criteria for water management, Water use and management requirements for current and future operations, closure, postclosure and contingencies, Water management risks, Key water stakeholder mapping and engagement, Watershed availability and utilization, Community needs assessment, Monitoring plan and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and

Roles and responsibilities 2.12 Site water management plans or equivalent shall be developed in accordance with Newmont’s Water Strategy, permits, licenses, applicable laws, regulations and obligations as defined in financing and other agreements. 2.13 Site-specific discharge standards and associated receiving water quality criteria shall be developed and documented to protect beneficial uses including aquatic ecosystems, human use (both recreational and consumption), agricultural and/or industrial. 2.14 Water quality standards for discharge to surface water or groundwater shall comply with the host country’s laws and regulations. If the host country’s laws are non-existent or incomplete, applicable United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) primary and secondary drinking water standards and/or World Health Organization standards shall be deemed appropriate for the protection of human health. 2.15 In the absence of host country laws and regulations, the

protection of aquatic, terrestrial, and marine environments shall be achieved based on site-specific, risk-based water discharge standards and receiving water criteria as applicable at the relevant points of compliance. Applicable EPA acute and chronic water quality criteria for marine and fresh water shall also be deemed appropriate for protection of aquatic, terrestrial and marine life in lieu of site-specific study. This analysis shall include the potential pathways (point and non-point sources) of pollutants from the site to applicable environmental receptors. 2.16 The points of compliance shall be determined based on site-specific conditions and risk analyses in consultation with relevant stakeholders. These analyses shall consider point and non-point source loading and mixing models to ensure compliance. Points of compliance shall include both ground and surface water. MARCH 2014 Page 1 of 3 Source: http://www.doksinet WATER MANAGEMENT 2.17 Baseline surface water, and

groundwater hydrology and geochemical characterization shall be conducted for any new project or site expansion to establish and document pre-operational water quality and quantity conditions, in accordance with the requirements for the particular stage of the site. 2.18 A site-wide probabilistic water balance shall be developed. The site shall evaluate the need for refining the probabilistic water balance model to include a chemical balance for key contaminants based on site risks and requirements. 2.19 Site water management shall have a water accounting system and consider the cost of water through the evaluation of opportunities to 1) optimize water use through reuse and efficiency, 2) enhance other watershed water supply uses, and 3) mitigate environmental and social water impacts. 2.110 An erosion and sediment control plan shall be developed, implemented and operational prior to land disturbance. 2.111 Water management and impoundment structures shall be designed using a

1:100 year 24 hour storm event or other risk-based design using site specific data. The water management and impoundment structures shall comply with requirements specified by permits, licenses, applicable laws, regulations and obligations as defined in financing and other agreements. 2.112 Sites with facilities (eg impoundments, dams, diversion channels, etc) located in areas that are socially or environmentally sensitive and which pose potential for catastrophic consequence in the event of a failure shall conduct a risk based assessment of the numeric design criteria in this standard to ensure adequate levels of protection. 2.113 Risk based designs must be reviewed and approved by the Corporate Global Practice Lead – Environmental and Corporate Senior Director Geotech and Hydrology. 2.2 Implementation and Management 2.21 Each site shall assign responsibility for water management to a single point of accountability. 2.22 The site water management plan or equivalent shall be

implemented. Water management performance shall be reviewed on an annual basis and the plan shall be updated as needed. Reviews will identify opportunities to:    Optimize water use through reuse and efficiency, Mitigate environmental and social water impacts, and Enhance other watershed water supply uses. 2.23 The erosion and sediment control plan or equivalent shall be implemented and updated annually through the post-closure period to reflect changes in the mine plan and water management plan. 2.24 The site-wide probabilistic water balance shall be reviewed annually and updated/calibrated as required. 2.25 The site water management governance shall be communicated to key corporate and regional internal stakeholders with clear responsibilities and accountabilities for water management activities. 2.26 Site procedures, systems and controls shall be implemented to ensure water discharge quality meets or exceeds the identified environmental and ecological values. These

systems shall include specific short-term and long-term triggers and response actions plans to prevent impacts. MARCH 2014 Page 2 of 3 Source: http://www.doksinet WATER MANAGEMENT 2.3 Performance Monitoring 2.31 Monitoring shall be conducted as per the water monitoring plan or equivalent to 1) report and evaluate system performance, 2) demonstrate compliance, and 3) support continuous improvement. 2.32 Water trend analysis should be reviewed quarterly by site leadership teams. Water KPI performance shall be reported to the region and corporate on an annual basis. 2.33 A site quality control / quality assurance program shall be implemented for water management monitoring. 2.34 Compliance water quality analyses shall be conducted by an external certified lab with competence to perform the required analysis. MARCH 2014 Page 3 of 3