7.   TAILINGS MANAGEMENT

7.4.1  

Hillendale Mine

The Hillendale Mine produces two separate waste streams. One is a fine product of > 45μm which is generally classified as slimes or residue, and the other is a > 45μm fraction which is generally referred to as the sand fraction or tailings. The tailings are used for backfilling mining voids and the construction of the outer perimeter walls of the residue storage facility (slimes dam). The slimes can be either deposited on the backfilled tailings to suppress dust, or co-disposed of with the tailings in the mining void, but is mostly disposed of on the residue storage facility which is located in the flood plain of the Mhlathuze River.

7.4.2  

Fairbreeze Project

The proposed Fairbreeze Project Mine will produce two separate waste streams as with Hillendale Mine. One is a fine product of <45µm which is generally classified as slimes or residue, and the other is a >45µm fraction which is generally referred to as the sand fraction or tailings. The tailings are used for backfilling mining voids and the construction of the outer perimeter walls of the residue storage facility (slimes dam).

The slimes can be either deposited on the backfilled tailings to suppress dust, or co-disposed of with the tailings in the mining void, but it is planned that the majority of the slimes will be disposed of in one of the two slimes dam sites that will be located west of the plant and on the northern side of the N2 National Highway.