Water is a critical resource for our operations and our communities. Our operations have site-specific water management plans reviewed and implemented on an ongoing basis to ensure we responsibly manage water. 

For more information about our annual water use, see our Sustainability Reports and data tables.

Bengalla Mine

At Bengalla Mine, the main, clean water source is the Hunter River, which is accessed underwater licences. Other sources of water include sediment water runoff from disturbed and rehabilitated areas and water from the mine including groundwater inflow.

Water is pumped to dams or collected in sediment traps and settling dams and directed to storage dams for re-use onsite where appropriate. We also recycle water from both the bathhouse and the vehicle wash bay through the wastewater treatment plant, for re-use onsite. Where reasonable and feasible, clean water is redirected away from disturbed areas.

To manage above average rainfall, the site’s discharge dam provides 700ML of capacity to manage excess water. Bengalla Mine also holds credits to discharge water into the Hunter River during periods of high flow and flood flow under the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme.

New Acland Mine

At New Acland, the main surface water source is rainfall captured in on-site dams. A purpose-built, 45km pipeline also transfers recycled wastewater purchased from Toowoomba Regional Council. This third-party recycled water is used for all production activities, including in the coal handling and preparation plant, and also services our neighbouring pastoral operations for crop irrigation and stock water.

Recycled water offers significant resilience in periods of drought, eliminates the need to draw from natural water sources and provides a revenue stream for the Council. Groundwater is only used for potable water supply and for bathrooms; no groundwater is used for production activities at New Acland.

Bridgeport Energy Pty Limited

Our Bridgeport oil and gas operations produce a significant amount of water as part of the oil extraction process. The team is undertaking a feasibility study to reuse this water to generate hydrogen alongside its operations at Kenmore in southwest Queensland, as outlined in the 2022 Sustainability Report.

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Successfully relocating a 120-year-old bottle tree

A 120-year-old bottle tree has found new roots at the entrance of New Acland Mine.

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Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee working bee

Contributing to revegetation around Brisbane.

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Enhancing biodiversity at the Lagoon Creek Conservation Zone

Work has begun on New Acland Mine’s 13.5-kilometre Lagoon Creek Conservation Zone, which will see more than 3,000 trees planted over the next decade.

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