A tailings storage facility incident at Samancor Chrome’s Dikwena operation near Brits sent a large volume of muddy material towards neighbouring Eland Mine’s Maroelabult shaft on Thursday afternoon, August 13.
According to a preliminary incident report by the Eland Management Team, which MiningMX has seen, employees at Maroelabult noticed at about 17:30 that the access road from the R566 towards the shaft had been covered by a large quantity of muddy material.
Mine personnel investigated and, based on visual observations, reported that sidewalls of the Dikwena tailings facility facing the Maroelabult shaft had collapsed, resulting in what the report described as “excessive mud-like material” flowing across the mine’s access road.
Dikwena Chrome confirmed in a statement on Saturday that an incident had occurred at Dam 1B of its Tailings Storage Facility on August 13. It said the facility is operated by contractor One Chrome and is used by One Chrome’s Inyoni Platinum PGM recovery plant.
The company said no injuries had been recorded and that an investigation was underway. It added that it was cooperating with the relevant authorities.
A local news report indicated that several vehicles at Eland Mine were swept away or affected by the sludge. The extent of the damage has yet to be established.
The incident has also raised environmental concerns, particularly over the possibility that escaped tailings material could contaminate groundwater and irrigation canals serving surrounding agricultural areas. The chemical composition of the material and the extent of any contamination have not yet been established.
Dikwena Chrome said clean-up and repair operations had started and that further measures would be implemented once its investigation was complete. The company said it remained committed to protecting the health and safety of people and the environment.
The Eland Management Team said in its preliminary report that the extent of the incident was still being investigated and that further information would be made available as it emerged.
