Issues around water - its quality, use, availability and environmental value - can be a major point of tension between mineral projects and local communities. Failure to manage these issues appropriately can jeopardise the obtaining of regulatory approvals for new projects and place at risk the social licence to operate' of existing operations. Conversely, there may also be significant opportunities for companies to engage constructively with communities over water issues and to make a positive contribution to the sustainable development of these communities._x000D_
Using case studies, this paper will explore the various types of social risks and opportunities associated with water and mineral resource development and identify key learnings relating to the management of these issues._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Brereton, D and Parmenter, J, 2006._x000D_
Water, communities and mineral resource development - understanding the risks and opportunities, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2006, pp 165-170 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).