Mining
This category includes metal mining, non-metal mining, and the extraction of coal. Water is used by the mining industry to separate ore from the rock, to cool drills, to wash the ore during production, and to carry away unwanted material.
Although the mining industry had a gross use almost as great as agriculture, mining accounted for only 1% of all water withdrawals in 1996. This was the smallest withdrawal use, but mining recirculates its water intake to a greater extent than any other sector.
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