GWI Water Knowledge Baseline: Project Update
Mine water management draws on a wide and fragmented body of technical knowledge spanning hydrology, hydrogeology, water quality, treatment, monitoring, regulation, operational risk, and organizational practice. The Water Knowledge Baseline is being developed to bring this knowledge together in a structured way, creating a shared reference point for industry and helping identify where gaps, duplication, or priority needs remain.
The purpose of the Water Knowledge Baseline is to capture and organise existing knowledge on mine water management, avoid duplication of effort, and and support clearer alignment on where further research and collaboration are most needed. It responds directly to a key priority identified in the GWI Roadmap: establishing a stronger understanding of what is already known, what practices are being applied, and where progress is still required.
The project has been delivered as a single initial phase, producing a first working draft of the baseline. This work reviewed existing knowledge management tools, relevant academic and industry literature, and international examples of water-related knowledge platforms. It also established the conceptual framework for the baseline, aligned with the GWI “Water Wheel” themes, and produced introductory content across key domains including regulatory frameworks, surface water hydrology, hydrogeology, mine water quality, water treatment, monitoring, operational water risks, and organisational factors.
The draft report has been reviewed by CEEC members, with feedback highlighting opportunities to broaden the international relevance of the content, strengthen case study coverage, and refine the structure to better support industry use. A final report from this phase will be shared shortly.
The work to date has demonstrated the value of a central, accessible knowledge resource that can serve as a bridge between academic research and practical, site-based experience. Subject to interest and support, the project may be extended to expand the content, incorporate wider global perspectives, and enable direct contributions from industry practitioners—evolving the Water Knowledge Baseline into a living resource for the Global Water Initiative.
This foundational GWI project is delivered in collaboration with the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), with support from CEEC Premium Sponsors Agnico Eagle and Weir.