Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Tailings |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
- Carbon in leach (CIL)
- Cyanide (reagent)
|
| Mine Life | 12 years (as of Jan 1, 2018) |
Source:
p. 348
On 20 March 2013 Harmony signed transaction and funding agreements to give effect to an empowerment transaction to dispose of 30% of its Free State based Phoenix operation (Phoenix) to BEE shareholders, which includes a free-carry allocation of 5% to a community trust that has been created and is currently controlled by Harmony. The transaction closed on 25 June 2013, following the fulfilment of the last condition precedent. In terms of the agreements Phoenix was transferred to a newly incorporated subsidiary (PhoenixCo) which subsequently changed its name to Tswelopele Beneficiation Operation (TBO).
Summary:
The Phoenix operation, located adjacent to Harmony’s current and historical operations in the Free State, involves the retreatment of tailings from tailings storage facilities in the region to extract any residual gold.
Summary:
Hydro-mining on several slimes dams is conducted under contract. Material from the dams is transported to the pump station, from where the material is conveyed to Saaiplaas plant in a separate 450mm diameter rubber-lined pipeline from each dam.
Processing Technologies
- Carbon in leach (CIL)
- Cyanide (reagent)
Summary:
Phoenix, a tailings retreatment operation, makes use of the Saaiplaas plant to retreat tailings.
The Saaiplaas plant originally processed ore from Saaiplaas 1, 2 and 3 shafts. Saaiplaas 1 closed c.1980, Saaiplaas 2 c.1996, and Saaiplaas 3 c.2000. At one time, Saaiplaas Plant also processed ore from the Erfdeel (now Masimong) shafts. With the decline of mining in the area, Saaiplaas Plant was relegated to processing unmilled surface source material (waste) at a rate of 110 000tpm under Harmony’s ownership until 2007.
The mills were stopped in July 2007. All material currently processed by the plant is recovered by hydro mining from old, desiccated slimes dams in the area, and this requires no crushing or milling. The ore receiving silos, conveying and milling functions have been mothballed or demolished since July 2007, when milling ceased.
The Saaiplaas plant has been downgraded to a slimes retreatment plant. Only hydro-mined material from old, desiccated slimes dams is sent to the plant for processing.
Two more carbon-in-leach (CIL) tanks have been added to increase residence time to achieve optimal dissolution and reduce soluble loss.
Recoveries & Grades:
| Commodity | Parameter | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
Gold
|
Head Grade, g/t
| 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.14 |
Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
Gold
|
oz
| ......  | ...... | ...... | 27,875 | 26,846 |
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
Tonnes milled
| ...... | ...... | 6,465 kt | 6,245 kt | 6,073 kt |
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Reserves at June 30, 2018:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
|
Proven
|
62.7 Mt
|
Gold
|
0.29 g/t
|
575 koz
|
|
Measured
|
62.7 Mt
|
Gold
|
0.29 g/t
|
575 koz
|
Aerial view:
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