Water
management

Managing water responsibly to support operations.

Water is a critical resource, essential to ecosystem health, community wellbeing and the long-term sustainability of our lithium mining and lithium extraction operations.  

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We are committed to responsible water stewardship, ensuring operational needs are balanced with environmental and community priorities to support long-term value creation across our lithium production and broader clean energy transition.

At our Pilgangoora Operation in the Port Hedland Coast hydrographic catchment, we primarily source groundwater from the Pilbara fractured rock aquifer, including mine dewatering and borefields. This region also supports other groundwater users, including nearby mining operations, local communities, pastoralists and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

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Our approach

We manage water as a shared and finite resource, focusing on sustainable supply, efficiency and improved understanding of groundwater systems and broader water resources.

Our focus is on improving hydrogeological understanding and water use efficiency across the natural environment we operate in. This includes refining our water balance and identifying opportunities to reduce consumption and increase recycling and reuse. Improved data and modelling support more accurate forecasting and identification of efficiency opportunities.

Governance and
water systems

Water management is embedded in our operational planning and decision‑making through established governance and risk management frameworks.

Oversight is provided by senior leadership and relevant Board committees, with accountability supported by specialist teams across hydrogeology, environment, sustainability and land access. 

Our Water Stewardship Position Statement reinforces our commitment to responsible water management, recognising water as a shared and critical resource. The Statement strengthens governance, transparency and accountability for managing water-related risks while balancing operational needs with environmental and community priorities.

Water Stewardship Position Statement
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Improving water efficiency
and recycling 

We continuously strive to reduce water consumption and increase recycling and reuse across our operations.

Infrastructure upgrades, including seepage recovery and tailings water management, enable greater recirculation of water back into the plant, reducing reliance on freshwater sources.

Refining our site-wide water balance helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency and optimise water use.

Strengthening
long‑term water supply
and resilience

Maintaining long-term water security is critical to supporting current operations and future growth in response to increasing lithium demand and the global energy transition.

Water supply is managed through a regulated borefield network, with monitoring undertaken in accordance with licence obligations to ensure sustainable use.

Hydrogeological studies and water exploration drilling improve understanding of groundwater systems and support expansion of borefield capacity.

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Our performance

We monitor water performance through consistent measurement, telemetry and data systems that track water use, system performance and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Improved data supports better forecasting and identification of efficiency opportunities. 

Our water performance reporting is aligned with industry frameworks, supporting sustainability outcomes and reducing overall environmental footprint.

For more information on our water performance:

Sustainability Databook Annual and Sustainability Reports

Latest news

Six people stand behind a red ribbon and Premier Roger Cook has large scissors to cut the ribbon.
05/06/2026 | Business, Pilgangoora Operation, Sustainability

PLS opens Australia’s first mine-site lithium mid-stream plant to unlock greater value at the resource

PLS today opened Australia’s first mine-site lithium mid-stream processing facility at its Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia, with WA Premier Hon. Roger Cook MLA officially cutting the ribbon. The Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant Project (Demonstration Plant) represents a significant milestone in PLS’ strategy to move further down the battery materials value chain and capture greater...
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24/04/2026 | Business, Pilgangoora Operation, Sustainability

Commissioning of Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant with ARENA grant funding secured and offtake in place

PLS has reached a key milestone in its Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant Project, with commissioning commencing following completion of the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant ownership restructure, securing of ARENA grant funding and execution of an offtake agreement with Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology Co. Ltd (Ronbay). PLS’ Mid-stream Demonstration Plant represents a deliberate step to test more...
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23/02/2026 | Community Australia, Sustainability

PLS scholarship supports next generation of renewable energy leaders

PLS is supporting the next generation of renewable energy professionals through a scholarship partnership with the University of Western Australia (UWA). Through our Community Investment Program, we are funding two scholarships for students enrolled in the Master of Renewable and Future Energy at UWA. The initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening the skills and capability needed to...
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