11 3 WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FOR DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND PROSPERITY1 *J. Vidalón1, A. Cordero2 1Specialist in Water Resources Management and General Manager of VVVM Consulting, Perú, (*Presenting author: jvidalon@vvvm.com.pe) (Universidad ESAN – Universidad Continental) 2Economistan and Analyst in VVVM Consulting, Perú, ABSTRACT Water scarcity, climate variability, and institutional capacity gaps are reshaping the role of water in mining from a compliance-driven environmental concern to a strategic determinant of operational continuity, financial viability, and long-term competitiveness. This paper examines how adaptive, basin-perspective mining companies water resources interventions can simultaneously reduce hydrological risk, enhance sustainability outcomes, and strengthen economic performance. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic review of over 5,000 screened academic publications with in-depth interviews, with senior water managers from large-scale mining operations in Peru, the study develops and tests, in addition, a four-component framework: (i) data-driven and forward-looking water management, integrating monitoring, modelling, and climate stress testing; (ii) water-use efficiency and alternative sources such as reuse and desalination; (iii) basin-level supply augmentation through conventional and nature-based infrastructure; and (iv) governance and structured multistakeholder coordination. The findings show a clear transition from site-level mitigation to integrated basin management, where water is treated as shared infrastructure and as a core input in risk management and investment decisions. Operational evidence confirms that high recirculation rates, alternative sourcing, and climate-informed planning reduce production volatility and exposure to shutdown costs, while basin-scale co-financing of infrastructure and monitoring systems can enhance social license and regulatory stability. The Arequipa case illustrates how large-scale wastewater reuse and shared hydraulic infrastructure can simultaneously improve river quality, expand water availability, and secure industrial supply, demonstrating that environmental restoration and business continuity are not competing objectives. The results support the hypothesis that private sector participation in adaptive basin management is not only environmentally necessary but economically rational, particularly in contexts where public water governance remains constrained. Sustainable water management therefore emerges as a condition for long-term mining feasibility, capable of co-producing 1 The authors would like to especially thank Julia Torreblanca (Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A.), Oscar Osores (Water Expert and Senior Mine Closure Manager - North America / Barrick Mining Corporation), Edgar Quiroz (Manager of Tailing and Water – MMG Limited Perú) for their valuable contribution to the development of this document through the in-depth interviews conducted, in which, in addition to addressing the topics consulted, they provided their highly informed perspective on water management in mining.
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