2014 Annual and CSR Report Switch to Spanish Language
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Water

Each of Hudbay’s sites has different water needs and challenges – with surplus water in Manitoba, limited supply in Arizona and very distinct wet and dry seasons in Peru. We are committed to using best practices technology, tailored to local conditions, to reduce our impact on water resources. Our commitment to ISO 14001 management systems also requires us to pursue continuous improvement in water management and periodically update our water-related risk assessments.

At the operational level, our growth strategy is dependent on reliable access to necessary quantities and quality of water. Prior to developing a project, we assess water quality and availability as part of our feasibility and environmental impact studies. These assessments also consider the water needs of local communities. Hudbay is subject to extensive regulation by federal, state, provincial and local authorities over a variety of environmental matters, including water-related activities. We work to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Overall, the success of our strategy depends on designing water-efficient operations and continuously monitoring our consumption and discharge, while always maintaining our commitments to local users and regulatory agencies within the jurisdictions where we operate.

At Constancia, we committed under our ESIA to limit the amount of sediment discharged to the nearby Huayllachane, Soropata and Chilloroya rivers. We have put in place a robust sediment management plan and installed structures designed to last for the life of the mine, to address issues during the rainy season. Controls include barriers like check dams and silt fences, and structures for diverting water to collection and sedimentation ponds. As a final control, the water is treated before being released to the water bodies.

In Manitoba, water usage is managed through water rights licences and related reporting as well as annual objectives to reduce the use of fresh water. Discharge is managed at specified discharge points using site-specific water treatment technologies and extensive water quality monitoring. The environment department tracks water quality data and reports to management on an exception basis.

In Arizona, Hudbay plans to implement technologies, such as dry-stack tailings, to minimize water use. We also plan to replace all groundwater pumped with replacement surface waters from the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Our team conducted extensive baseline studies of surface and groundwater conditions in the project area and has incorporated considerations of these conditions into the development of the design as well as future management and mitigation plans for Rosemont.

2014 Performance

  • Hudbay had no material non-conformances relating to discharges into water in 2014. None of the effluents discharged from Hudbay operations have a significant impact on the receiving streams or water bodies in which they are discharged. Stringent regulatory requirements must be met at the point of effluent discharge.
  • Total fresh water consumption in Manitoba declined by 0.4%, versus a proposed 1% year-over-year reduction target. The reduction in fresh water usage realized at the metallurgical complex was offset by the ramp-up in production at the Lalor and Reed mines and the Snow Lake mill.
  • In Manitoba, our focus was on conducting an environmental effects monitoring (EEM) program in accordance with the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER). We also continued to collect and analyze quarterly effluent characterization data to maintain water quality and the fish habitat of water bodies that receive operational discharges.
  • In Peru, 2014 was an important year for water harvesting/collection for the start-up of operations. The construction of Constancia was completed in compliance with the permits and licences for water use, and downstream flow was not altered. We also started monitoring mining effluent three times per month. Discharge quality was within government limits.
  • At Rosemont, water impacts were minimal and limited to stormwater runoff from exploration drilling. Water use was primarily associated with providing drinking water, stock watering, or water for the drilling programs. The drilling program used a new mud recycling process to minimize the amount of water used at each drill, which reduced normal water use by an estimated 50%. Stormwater was managed through controls placed on the disturbed areas. Inspections and samples were taken as required, and there was only a minimal amount of runoff during the drilling.
  • Baseline studies and monitoring completed at Rosemont in 2014 included: rainwater samples for meteoric water baselines, stormwater quality baseline samples and groundwater quality samples.
Manitoba Water Withdrawal
energy-01
000s of m3
2010 10,101
2011 9,828
2012 9,275
2013 10,482
2014 10,439
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