Elikhulu
‘The Big One’ in Zulu – Elikhulu, Pan African’s flagship operation exceeded expectations by being built within budget, commissioned ahead of schedule and reaching steady state production within two years.
The plant processes 1.2Mt of historic tailings per month from the three existing slimes dams at Kinross, Leslie/Bracken and Winkelhaak. Tailings reprocessing will result in the residues being re-deposed to a single tailings storage facility site, further reducing our ecological footprint.
This operation consists of a technologically advanced, automated plant with a minimal labour requirement. Elikhulu is a testament to our team’s ability to conceptualise, plan and effectively complete substantial growth projects.
Performance
Elikhulu
Gold Produced
54,812 Ounces
Contractors
214
Employees
152
Annual Capacity
60,000 Oz/Annum
Life of Mine
8 Years
Aisc
1,034 $/Oz
Our Operations
Why Elikhulu?
Elikhulu is a leader in gold recovery and sustainability, processing 1.2 million tonnes of tailings monthly while reducing environmental impact. With renewable energy integration and advanced management, explore how Elikhulu drives responsible mining.
Advanced Tailings Reprocessing Technology
Elikhulu employs state-of-the-art reprocessing technology, utilising a conventional carbon-in-leach circuit with a proprietary pre-oxidation process.
This advanced system efficiently extracts residual gold from historical tailings, achieving an all-in-sustaining cost (AISC) of production between $650/oz and $700/oz.
The plant’s high throughput capacity and automation reduce labor requirements while maintaining operational excellence.
Sustainable Environmental Practices
Beyond gold recovery, Elikhulu mine prioritises environmental sustainability by rehabilitating legacy TSFs. The plant consolidates residues into a single, modern TSF, reducing the ecological footprint and addressing environmental legacies of historical tailings deposition.
The Kinross phase 1 and 2 TSF extensions are lined to mitigate underground seepage risks, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Leading the Way in Renewable Energy
In May 2022, Pan African Resources became the first South African mining company to successfully commission a utility-scale, grid-tied solar plant with the commissioning of Evander Mines’ solar energy plant.
The solar plant has a capacity of 9.9MW and supplies clean energy to Elikhulu. By meeting approximately 30% of the plant’s annual power requirements.
The initiative plays an important role in reducing the GHG footprint, reducing Evander Mine’s environmental footprint, and supporting innovative energy solutions within the mining sector.
Focus for 2025
Our continued focus for the coming year is to maintain our performance at the surface operations. Our focus areas for the year ahead include:
The Elikhulu operation consists of a technologically advanced, automated plant with a reduced labour contingent.
The plant’s numerous innovations, in addition to its high throughput and relatively short pumping distances, include its modern extraction process, which does not require regrind mills and thickeners, and has low reagent consumption. The plant also supplements recirculated process water with non-potable water supply from adjacent underground operations.
Mining For A Future
Pan African Resources Blog
Stay updated on the latest news at Elikhulu. Explore articles about key project advancements, operational announcements, sustainability initiatives, and more.
Investing
A Deeper Look at PAR’s Elikhulu Operation
Investing
The History of Pan African Resources
Investing
The US Elections and Gold Price
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions About Elikhulu
What are gold tailings?
What technology does Elikhulu use for gold extraction?
The plant utilises a carbon-in-leach (CIL) process with a proprietary pre-oxidation system to maximise gold recovery from historic tailings. This exemplifies how detailed engineering and innovative processes enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure sustainable gold extraction.