Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, practical framework for managing water safely and responsibly across mining sites in Australia. It helps operations control water-related hazards, maintain environmental compliance, and protect workers, neighbouring communities, and downstream ecosystems.

Water is critical to mining operations, from dust suppression and ore processing to tailings management and site rehabilitation. Poorly managed water systems can create serious safety risks, drive up operating costs, and expose your business to significant regulatory penalties and reputational damage. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, site-wide approach to the safe management of raw water, process water, stormwater, and contaminated water on mining leases across Australia.

The document sets out clear responsibilities, controls, and step‑by‑step processes for planning, operating, monitoring, and maintaining water infrastructure such as dams, ponds, pipelines, pumps, sumps, drains, and tailings storage facilities. It focuses on preventing overflows, uncontrolled discharges, erosion, slope failures, and exposure to contaminated water, while supporting compliance with WHS legislation and environmental obligations under State and Territory mining and water laws. By implementing this SOP, mining operations can demonstrate due diligence, reduce incident risk, and embed consistent water management practices across employees and contractors.

Designed specifically for Australian mining conditions, this SOP integrates safety, environmental, and operational requirements into one practical procedure. It supports mine operators to manage extreme weather events, protect groundwater and surface water, and coordinate with emergency response plans, ensuring water is handled in a way that is safe for people and sustainable for the life of the mine and beyond.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of water-related incidents such as dam overtopping, slope failure, and uncontrolled discharges.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS, mining, and environmental water management obligations.
• Standardise water management practices across operations, shifts, and contractors.
• Improve preparedness for extreme rainfall and flooding events linked to Australian climatic conditions.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, investors, Traditional Owners, and local communities.

Who is this for?

• Mine Managers
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Environmental Managers
• Hydrogeologists and Water Engineers
• Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Supervisors
• Processing Plant Supervisors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• HSE Advisors
• Contractor Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Failure or overtopping of water storage structures (dams, ponds, tailings storage facilities)
• Drowning or entrapment in water bodies, sumps, and open channels
• Exposure to contaminated process water, tailings, and chemical-laden effluent
• Erosion and instability of embankments, haul roads, and pit walls due to uncontrolled water flow
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards around wet, boggy, or flooded work areas
• Contact with high-pressure water in pipelines, pumps, and spray systems
• Vehicle bogging, loss of control, or rollover in waterlogged or flooded areas
• Environmental contamination of surface water and groundwater from spills or uncontrolled releases
• Biological hazards from stagnant water, including mosquitoes and waterborne pathogens
• Electrical hazards where water interacts with fixed or mobile electrical installations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Regulatory and Standards Framework
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Water System Overview and Site Water Balance
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Water Management
• 7.0 Design and Integrity Requirements for Dams, Ponds and Tailings Facilities
• 8.0 Operation of Water Storage Structures (Levels, Freeboard, Discharge Controls)
• 9.0 Management of Process Water, Tailings Water and Contaminated Water
• 10.0 Stormwater, Surface Runoff and Pit Dewatering Controls
• 11.0 Pumping, Piping and Transfer System Operation and Isolation
• 12.0 Inspections, Monitoring and Instrumentation (levels, flows, quality)
• 13.0 Water Quality Management and Discharge Criteria
• 14.0 Controls for Working Near Water Bodies and Saturated Ground
• 15.0 Extreme Weather, Flood and Cyclone Preparedness
• 16.0 Incident, Spill and Uncontrolled Discharge Response
• 17.0 Interaction with Electrical Installations and Mobile Plant Near Water
• 18.0 Contractor Management and Permit-to-Work for Water-Related Tasks
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Communication Requirements
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Regulatory Notifications
• 21.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 22.0 References, Supporting Documents and Site-Specific Appendices

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding State and Territory WHS Acts and Regulations
• Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 (NSW) and equivalent mining regulations in other jurisdictions
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• ANCOLD Guidelines on Dam Safety Management (Australian National Committee on Large Dams)
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (for water contaminated with hydrocarbons)
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems
• Relevant State and Territory Water Management, Environmental Protection and Mining Acts and licences (e.g. EPBC Act 1999, state EPA and water authority conditions)
• Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining – Water Management Handbook (Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science and Resources)