23% of the world's entire water availability is used for industrial purposes. Industries that produce metals, wood and paper products, chemicals, gasoline and oils, are all major users of water. Industrial water is used for purposes such as fabricating, processing, washing, diluting, cooling, or transporting a product. Water can also be used when incorporated into products, for sanitary uses within the manufacturing facility, and for producing commodities such as food, paper, chemicals and metals.

Water has played an important part in many mining organisations around the world. Water is used to make bare rock give up its valuable minerals, with a variety of products such as gold and coal, that would not be able to be mined without the use of water.

When mining companies dig for the commodities, water is sprayed on the dug-up soil. This dampens the soil and thus avoids it blowing away when it is caught by the wind.

 

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