SA miners may struggle to secure enough water - Moody's
28 September 2019
South Africa's mining industry may struggle over the next two decades to secure reliable sources of water, according to Moody's.
Mining companies need millions of litres of water for processing ore, smelting and refining, dust suppression, as well as for their equipment and employees, the ratings agency said in a research report.
"While miners are getting more efficient at managing water use, they still face substantial risk when it comes to securing reliable water sources, particularly for mines in arid regions or close to populated communities," it said.
Moody's says SA's mining industry is particularly at risk from water stress. Other countries falling into the same bracket are Peru, Chile, Mongolia, Australia and Chile.