131 According to the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), mining companies globally withdraw approximately 12 billion cubic meters of water annually, with significant variations in water intensity across different commodities and regions [10]. The ICMM's water stewardship framework emphasizes the critical importance of sustainable water management throughout the mine lifecycle, from exploration through closure and post-closure phases [11]. This manuscript provides a comprehensive analysis of water management evolution in the mining industry over the past 20 years, examining technological advances, current challenges, and future trends that will shape sustainable mining practices. 2. SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND TRENDS (2004-2025) 2.1 Evolution from End-of-Pipe to Integrated Systems The past two decades have witnessed a fundamental shift in mining water management philosophy. Traditional approaches focused primarily on treating contaminated water at the point of discharge‚ the so-called "end-of-pipe" treatment. This paradigm has evolved toward integrated water management systems that emphasize prevention, reuse, and circular economy principles [1]. Table 1 shows the evolution of water management paradigms in the last 20 years. Table 1 – Evolution of Water Management Paradigms in Mining (2004-2025) Peri od Dominant Approach Key Characteristics Representative Technologies Primary Drivers Adop tion Rate Perce nt 200 4201 0 End of pipe treatment Reactive, compliancefocused, singlepoint discharge treatment Conventional treatment plants, settling ponds, lime neutralization Clean Water Act compliance, basic environmental regulations 85-95 201 1201 5 Water efficiency focus Operational optimization, water balance modeling, cost reduction Water balance modeling, recycling systems, process optimization Water scarcity concerns, operational cost pressures 60-75 201 6202 0 Integrated manageme nt Holistic, lifecycle approach, multistakeholder engagement MAR, zero liquid discharge, digital monitoring, stakeholder engagement UN SDGs, corporate sustainability reporting, social license 40-60 202 Circular Resource AI-driven systems, Climate 25-45
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2