A Water Resources Management System as a tool to guarantee the water supply of an iron ore mining project in Brazil

This paper presents the proposed water management system developed for an iron ore mining project in Brazil, with the main aim to guarantee the water supply during its expected life at less pumping costs and without conflicts with other users. Studies considered all the hydrologic and hydrogeologic potential of the catchment basin and also all of the water demands of the mining project. Other mining projects and water users on the same basin were also assessed. The system presents good results and conclusions as the water demands of the mine could be attended at the best costs and without conflicts.