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SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

There is an expectation that the private sector can and should play a significant role in promoting and supporting the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This SDG calls for universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation, alongside improvements in water quality, supply, and management to protect ecosystems and strengthen resilience.

Water is essential for mining operations and workforce health, but mismanagement can compromise availability and quality for nearby communities. Mining companies must adopt responsible water stewardship practices that balance operational requirements with the needs of local populations and the long-term sustainability of water ecosystems.

What companies need to know to manage impacts or make a positive contribution
  1. The availability and quality of water resources (surface and groundwater) local to their operations and associated risks.
  2. How these water resources support local communities and ecosystems.
  3. The needs and priorities of other water users at a catchment level.
  4. Existing water access and sanitation challenges and how your activities may exacerbate these.
Minimising negative impacts Maximising positive contributions
  • Reduce demand through improved efficiencies and use alternative low-quality sources where possible.
  • Manage water effectively and minimise, treat and control discharges.
  • Monitor water use and quality (and involve the community in the process) and adjust water management practices if needed.
  • Ensure all employees have access to clean drinking water and adequate toilets in the workplace.
  • Engage with other water users to understand their needs and priorities and collaborate with them to mitigate shared water risks and support equitable access.
  • Explore the potential for shared use of water infrastructure with local communities.
  • Publicly report on water usage, material water risks and performance, and share monitoring data with regulators to support management efforts.
  • Work with others to ensure that accurate and trusted measurement, analysis and testing facilities for water are available in-country.