Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment Plant
‘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, which will reduce 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 complete substantial growth projects ahead of time and within budget.
Focus For 2025
Our goal for the coming year is to maintain our performance at the surface operations. Our focus areas for the year ahead include:
- completing the construction of phases 3 and 4 of Elikhulu’s TSF extension
- the installation of a briquette cyanide make-up facility, which will ensure cyanide availability in the event of supplier logistical constraints
- continuing to invest in sustaining capital projects, focused on maintaining Elikhulu’s infrastructure.
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 from adjacent underground operations.
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 plant has a capacity of 9.9MW and supplies clean energy to Elikhulu. By meeting approximately 30% of the plant’s annual power requirements, this solar plant plays an important role in reducing the GHG footprint.
