SECMC, Pakistan’s pioneering coal mining company, has set a global benchmark by becoming the first mining company in the world to receive the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Gold Certification for its complete mining operations, reflecting its leadership in sustainable water management.
Established in 2009, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a global, multi-stakeholder platform founded by the UN, NGOs and research institutes to promote responsible water use and sustainable freshwater management. Over 330 sites in more than 30 countries have achieved AWS certification across diverse sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and now mining. The AWS Standard offers a rigorous framework built around five key pillars of Good Water Governance, Sustainable Water Balance, Water Quality, the Health of Water-Related Ecosystems, and Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
By adopting the AWS Standard, SECMC has institutionalized water stewardship across its operations in Thar Block II and demonstrated its ability to align with international sustainability benchmarks. The company’s approach emphasizes data-driven planning, proactive risk management and inclusive stakeholder engagement, positioning it as a role model for sustainable mining.
To ensure transparency and regulatory compliance, SECMC aligns its water quality and discharge monitoring not only with Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) requirements but also voluntarily follows key parameters from the U.S. EPA 40 CFR Part 434 standards. This commitment is backed by advanced infrastructure, including Reverse Osmosis and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), which treat and reuse over 43,000 cubic meters of water each month for landscaping, sanitation and operational needs. These efforts have significantly reduced the mining operation’s reliance on underground freshwater sources.
SECMC has also implemented a forward-looking bio-saline agriculture program, developed in collaboration with research institutions, including PARC, ISHU-KU and the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography. Over 100 local farmers have been trained to cultivate drought-resistant crops, such as Apple Ber, Sesbania Grass and Aloe Vera, using modern techniques like drip irrigation to enhance water-efficiency. As a result, 65 acres of arid land has been transformed into productive farmland.
Through its CSR arm, the Thar Foundation, SECMC has significantly improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for surrounding communities. One of the key initiatives is the installation of 23 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants, which provide 2.8 million gallons of clean drinking water each month to more than 5,400 residents in Block II and nearby villages. Complementary efforts include the construction of over 600 sanitation units and regular awareness sessions on hygiene and water conservation, reaching more than 3,000 schoolchildren.
Reflecting on this remarkable achievement, Amir Iqbal, CEO SECMC, shared that “Sustainable business practices are the foundation of our license to operate. Achieving AWS Gold Certification is a recognition of the tangible actions we have taken toward responsible mining, building resilient communities and environmental sustainability. This is an important milestone as we strive to lead the way as a world-class, responsible mining company.”
The AWS Gold certification adds to SECMC’s track record of excellence in health, safety and environmental management. The company remains the only open pit mining operation globally to be ISO 45001:2018 certified, is compliant with Queensland Coal Mining Safety Legislation, and holds membership with the National Safety Council (USA). SECMC has also recently completed 15 million man-hours of safe mining operations.
