Development of management Tool for Water Risk Assessment (FARH): application in the mineral metalurgical segment in Brazil

Abstract

Although water governance in the industrial sector has evolved in recent years, water risk management is still considered a challenge in the country. In this way, the present article had the objective of developing a Management Tool for Water Risk Assessment (FARH) in the mining-metallurgical segment. The structural format of the FARH was based on input blocks, processing and data output with the purpose of elaborating a risk matrix (dashboard). The dashboard based on the characterization of the situation of the river basin in relation to the degree of water stress (Y axis), characterization of the water management status of the enterprise (X axis) and the definition of the level of dependence in relation to the water resource. The tool was applied on a pilot scale in 09 (nine) mining-metallurgical enterprises located in the States of Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo (Zn, Ni, Al). With the validation of the FARH criteria, the data platforms were inserted in “macro excel” to computerize their application. The risk matrix allowed the consolidated visualization of the data and provided a technical basis for the prioritization of actions, allocation of resources within an organization and preparation of a guide for the development of the water management plan of these enterprises.