BHP Billiton

As a very large organization, BHP Billiton claims they have a social responsibility to positively contribute to the areas in which they operate. They make these positive contributions in a number of ways. This includes investing in their community programs, employees giving donations, personal time and expertise to their local communities, and by promoting fundamental human rights and the value of cultural heritage. BHP has a long-term commitment to sustainable development and has taken a collaborative approach to handling issues and helping the disadvantaged both locally and globally. BHP takes the responsibility of managing their environmental impact very seriously. Specifically, they focus on water because it is an essential resource for all of their operations and production can be impacted by both the quality and quantity of water available.. Not only that but the communities where BHP operates relies on having access to clean, safe drinking water. BHP is in the mining industry, and in this industry, watered is used for a number of different purposes. Also, mining operations produce large quantities of mineral waste that may include waste rock, tailings and slag, which need to be effectively managed to control potential environmental impacts. Unfortunately, water management has become a very complex issue. There are many water risks and vary depending on the region, therefore there is not a ‘one-size fits-all’ solution. This makes it difficult for BHP to manage their water use. BHP states “Water has social, cultural, environmental and economic value at a local, regional, nation, and international level and is therefore critical to maintaining a ‘social licence to operate’. That being said, they “support the priority considerations of strategic water planning, improving operational performance through effective water management, identifying conservation opportunities and promoting industry projects.’ “In recognition that water is a critical input for our