The National Water Commission has advanced the case for a more robust, coherent and transparent approach to assessing the impact of major mining developments on water resources and the management of those risks, noting that water management and resource development are primarily state responsibilities.The 2004 Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative (NWI) (COAG, 2004) makes it clear that water is part of Australia's natural capital and that governments have the critical role of allowing parties access to this resource for a variety of purposes. Mining is one of those purposes. Water is essential to the mining industry, which in turn makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy (9.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 - 2012). The NWI provides the framework for managing water resources with regard to mining in Australia, while maximising economic, social and environmental outcomes. While clause 34 of the NWI acknowledges some features of the water usage of mining and extractive industries that are not shared by other water users, the National Water Commission considers it was not intended to promote approaches to water management that conflict with the NWI. The Minerals Council of Australia Water Policy (MCA, 2012) states strong support for the principles contained within the NWI and highlights the need for integration of mining operations into water sharing planning processes, fit for purpose' entitlements and accounting for the regulatory framework in which the industry operates.Governments have a responsibility to ensure water is allocated and used to achieve socially and economically beneficial outcomes in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. Management of mining related water in Australia's interest requires a flexible integrated approach based on NWI principles, where roles and responsibilities of jurisdictional and Australian Government agencies are clearly outlined and aligned._x000D_
*This is an abstract only. No full paper prepared. CITATION:Maywald, K, 2013. Managing water for mining in the national interest, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2013 , pp 5-6 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).