The mining industry joins the water queue
Australia is in the middle of a drought, and a mining boom. And with the mining industry needing significant amounts of water for its operations the stage is set for some interesting negotiations. Professor Chris Moran, Director of the Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry at the University of Queensland says it’s a chance for the industry to engage with communities and work on water savings. Professor Mike Young from the Wentworth Group says mines should be able to buy water just like anyone else and that the market and the need to maintain their position in local economies will stop them from being able to monopolise trade with their buying power. He says the best way to protect the environment from water shortage is to create a trust with the power and money to buy water.