Pan African Resources Tailings Management System
Pan African Resources (PAR) is committed to the safe and sustainable operation and maintenance of its Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs). The Company undertakes to minimise the risks and negative social and environmental impacts of its TSF operations through the use of technically appropriate methodologies, processes and innovations, for the benefit of all stakeholders.
- Following the catastrophic tailings dam collapse at Vale’s Crrego de Feijo mine in Brumadinho, Brazil on 25 January 2019, where 290 people lost their lives, the need was identified for a global tailings management standard to prevent similar failures in the future, and to seek transparency regarding the management and executive oversight of global residue facilities.
- The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is the first global standard on tailings facility management and sets an intentionally high bar for the mining industry to attain – integrating social, environmental, local economic and technical considerations for TSF facilities, while working towards the goal of zero harm to people and the environment.
- Given the extremely high standards prescribed by the GISTM, PAR has elected to maintain the Group’s compliance through the application of Requirement 4.7 and 5. 7 as it is applied by the GISTM:
GISTM Requirement 4.7
“Existing tailings facilities shall conform with the Requirements under Principle 4, except for those aspects where the Engineer of Record (EOR), with review by the ITRB or a senior independent technical reviewer, determines that the upgrade of an existing tailings facility is not viable or cannot be retroactively applied. In this case, the Accountable Executive shall approve and document the implementation of measures to reduce both the probability and the consequences of a tailings facility failure in order to reduce the risk to ‘a level as low as reasonably practicable’ (ALARP). The basis and timing for addressing the upgrade of existing tailings facilities shall be risk-informed and carried out as soon as reasonably practicable.”
GISTM Requirement 5.7
“For a proposed new tailings facility classified as ‘High’, ‘Very High’ or ‘Extreme’, the Accountable Executive shall confirm that the design satisfies ALARP and shall approve additional reasonable steps that may be taken downstream, to further reduce potential consequences to people and the environment. The Accountable Executive shall explain and document the decisions with respect to ALARP and additional consequence reduction measures”.
- PAR does not compromise on the standards of safety and operations of the Group’s TSFs and have engaged in an intensive process of evaluating the safety, stability and other relevant issues around these TSFs since 2019, prior to the publication of GISTM. These proactive studies would later be incorporated into the GISTM.
- PAR has made the following appointments in line with the GISTM to ensure that a governance structure is in place, which filters through to the tailings operations on each of its operations, which is over and above the South African legislated legal appointments:
a) AE (Accountable Executive).
b) RTFE (Responsible Tailings Engineer).
c) EoR (Engineer of Record – Geotheta).
d) ITRB (Independent Tailings Review Board
The appointed ITRB has conducted a thorough review of our tailings facilities and have issued reports for the Barberton Mines and Evander Gold Mines TSFs respectively.
The ITRB has also reviewed the Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) feasibility design study. The MTR project has since been completed and is now in full scale production.
- Apart from the South African legislated emergency response plans, the need for an emergency preparedness and response plan, aligned to GISTM, with the requirement to include input from local authorities, impacted communities and first responders in the development and testing of such an emergency preparedness and response plans (EPRP), has been demonstrated by recent international TSF failures.
- Such comprehensive plans are in the final stage of development, following comprehensive engagement with abovementioned stakeholders .
- The EPRP will not only address the issues following a TSF failure, but also includes a Trigger Action Response Plan (GISTM aligned) to identify early warnings and implement remedial actions to prevent catastrophic events to assist with preventing these failures.
- Tailings is a waste by-product of the mineral recovery process, usually comprising a liquid slurry of fine mineral particles and water following ore processing in a metallurgical plant.
- Tailings are pumped through slurry lines to tailings storage facilities (TSFs), which are designated pre-designed and pre-prepared surface area, including decant systems and drainage systems. The TSFs have a designed construction methodology specific for the relevant operation, according to specific factors taken into account by the design engineers, including topography, rainfall, surface area, volumes, etc. to name a few.
- TSF construction methods:
- Upstream method: A starter dam wall is built, into which tailings are discharged to form a beach. The beach is compacted and used as the foundation for raising the dam wall. This method is best suited for areas with low rainfall, seismic activity, and deposition rates.
- Downstream method: A starter dam wall is built with a low permeability zone or liner to control water loss. Tailings are placed behind the dam wall, and the embankment is raised by building a new wall on the downstream slope.
- Centerline method: A hybrid of the upstream and downstream methods, where the dam is raised vertically from the starter dam wall.
- Although compliance with the GISTM is driven globally, South African legislation still needs to be adhered to in South Africa for compliance. The South African legislation does not yet address the GISTM directly.
- The South African legislation applicable to TSF designs and operations are:
- National Environmental Management Waste Act (Act 59 of 2008) (NEMWA)
- Environmental Conservation Act (Act 25 of 1989)
- National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998)
- Natural Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998) (NEMA)
- National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) (NHRA)
- Mine Health and Safety Act No. 29 of 1996 and Regulations
- SANS 10286 (2003)
- DMRE 16/3/2/2-A1
- DWS National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) Regulations Regarding the Safety in Terms of Section 123(1) *The above act was gazetted on 22 Nov 2024 with compulsory registration of tailings facilities by 21 Jan 2025 at DWS (Depart of Water & Sanitation)
All PAR Tailings Facilities are registered at DWS as per above Act and Classification at Dam Safety Office has been submitted.
- Pan African Resources is cognisant of the value of accurate and continuous monitoring of its TSF’s and has implemented systems in excess of legal requirements, with additional industry leading initiatives and practices that go beyond compliance, to ensure the safety and stability of our TSF’s. These monitoring systems include:
- Daily operator’s diary
- Daily feedback & production interactive meetings
- Daily site inspections Formal weekly operators’ reports
- RTFE reports on TSF inspections
- Weekly drone photo surveillance and monitoring
- Monthly water management and environmental reports
- Formal monthly TSF meetings between mining operations and the TSF operators
- Formal quarterly meetings between mine operations, TSF operators and the Engineer of Record (EoR)
- Formal annual TSF reports
- Formal DMRE TSF inspections
- Written rain event feedback reports after rain events of more than 20mm
- Written communication chain between RTFE and Accountable Executive
- HMS Report (Hazard Management System) – this is a technical system in which all data pertaining to the TSF is captured, and evaluated by the EoR (including drain flows, phreatic levels, pool depths and freeboard etc.).
- To date, Pan African Resources has engaged in various studies, assessments and activities following the catastrophic tailings dam collapse at Vale’s Crrego de Feijo mine in Brumadinho, Brazil on 25 January 2019, and continues with assessments and monitoring through:
- 3rd party GISTM readiness audits
- Satellite movement analyses
- Operator post-failure strategy
- Post failure impact assessment
- Dam break analyses
- Residual strength analyses
- CPTu (Piezocone Penetration Testing) test work
- Water and salt balance reports
- Soweto cluster dormant TSF stability analysis
- Independent Geotechnical Engineer audits
- ITRB reviews
- ITRB review of Mogale Feasibility Study
- TSF continuation reports
- Zone of Influence mapping
- Design Basis Memoranda (DBM)
- Failure mode and effects analysis
- Seismic event determination report
- Comprehensive ALARP Principle Risk Assessment
- The latest study to be done is an Advanced Stability Triaxle Assessment on the Elikhulu TSF Complex, with results expected by the 3rd quarter of 2025.
- Pan African Resources is fully aware that ongoing training assists employees understand their responsibilities, perform effectively, build on their strengths and grow within the Company. The Company therefore regularly conducts tailings specific training for all employees involved with the TSF operations on various levels and in different forms, which includes:
- Workplace skills training and mentoring:
- Employees and operators are skilled through continuous workplace training and mentoring.
- MRD 101 Tailings Specific Training:
- All stakeholders, management and operators have been involved with the TSF training.
- Tailings conferences, workshops and webinar attendance:
- Skills of key employees are continuously being developed through attending conferences, workshops and webinars, and sharing of the latest training material.
- SAIMM and SANCOLD annual conferences are specific conferences which are being attended by PAR, BML, EGM, MTR employees, future TCMG employees and the contracted operators.
- Stakeholder engagements
- Scheduled quarterly formal meetings with communities and SASOL at Evander (neighboring mines)
- All PAR operations have dedicated community and stakeholder engagement teams within the operational structures, and have regular community intervention sessions and awareness campaigns
- The operations’ environmental officers also form part of these teams and are actively involved with liaison within the communities in the form of joint projects, community activities (such as environmental awareness and clean up days) and forum meetings.
- Workplace skills training and mentoring:
- Pan African Resources’ TSFs are situated in the Barberton Mountain Land region and in Evander, Mpumalanga Province. The Company is designing new facilities in the Mogale area, Gauteng Province, surrounding the Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) operations. Recently PAR has also acquired the TCMG assets in the Australian Northern Territories at Tennant Creek.
- As per the GISTM guidelines, the Group is committed to transparency regarding the safety and integrity of our TSFs and has made available details of specific aspects of the management and status of our facilities.
| Operation | TSF Name | Co-ordinates | Status | GISTM class. | Hazard class. | Risk | Type | Date | EoR appointed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barberton Mines | Bramber Ext | Latitude: 25°43'37.13"S Longitude: 31° 3'50.14"E | Active | Extreme | High | L | Cyclone upstream | Jan 2021 | Geotheta |
| Barberton Mines | Bramber | Latitude: 25°43'37.13"S Longitude: 31° 3'50.14"E | Active | Extreme | High | L | Cyclone upstream | June 2013 | Geotheta |
| Barberton Mines | Camelot | Latitude: 25°43'0.98"S | Active | Extreme | High | L | Day wall upstream | 1997 | Geotheta |
| Barberton Mines | Sheba | Longitude: 31° 9'19.59"E | Dormant | Extreme | High | L | None | N/A | Geotheta |
| Barberton Mines | Segalla | Latitude: 25°38'29.91"S Longitude: 31° 3'43.45"E | Active | Extreme | High | Day wall upstream | 1998 | Geotheta | |
| Evander Gold Mines | Elikhulu UC & LC | Latitude: 26°29'1.01"S Longitude: 29° 5'8.46"E | Active | Extreme | High | L | Cyclone upstream | July 2018 | Geotheta |
| Evander Gold Mines | Elikhulu Phase 2 | Latitude: 26°29'1.01"S Longitude: 29° 5'8.46"E | Active | Extreme | High | L | Cyclone upstream | Jan 2024 | Geotheta |
| Evander Gold Mines | Elikhulu Phase 3 | Latitude: 26°29'1.01"S Longitude: 29° 5'8.46"E | Active | Extreme | High | L | Cyclone upstream | Oct 2024 | Geotheta |
| Evander Gold Mines | Elikhulu Phase 4 | Latitude: 26°29'1.01"S Longitude: 29° 5'8.46"E | Active | Extreme | High | L | Cyclone upstream | Nov 2024 | Geotheta |
| Evander Gold Mines | Winkelhaak | Latitude: 26°29'1.01"S Longitude: 29° 5'8.46"E | Care & maintenance | Extreme | High | L | None | Nov 2014 | Geotheta |
| Mogale Retreatment Plant | West Wits Pit | Latitude: 26°29'1.01"S Longitude: 29° 5'8.46"E | Active | N/A | N/A | L | Open end pit infill | Oct 2024 | Geotheta |
| Tennant Consolidated Mining Group (TCMG) | Nobles Gold Mine Southern Tailings | Latitude: 19°43'0.59"S Longitude: 134°17'17.55"E | Active | Very Low | Very Low | L | Dry Stacking | 2025 |
As a responsible mid-tier gold producer, Pan African Resources’ mission revolves around the safe and proficient extraction of value from our Mineral Resources, while ensuring the long-term, enduring sustainability of our operations. Our dedication and commitment to sustainability and sustainability goes above and beyond regulatory compliance.
The Company meaningfully engages with experts in community relations, environmental conservation, and sustainability projects to deliver benefits that resonate with relevant stakeholders. Our tailings strategy prioritises ESG factors, embracing renewable energy sources and water recycling at our operations.
This philosophy reflects our commitment to a more agile, smarter, and forward-thinking mining methodology.
PAR is committed to the safe and sustainable operations of its TSFs through the use of technically appropriate methodologies and latest innovations to ensure the responsible, environmentally sound, socially responsible and to minimise risks of its TSF operations.
Pan African Resources is committed to:
- uphold the Company’s Vision and Values
- ‘Apply the leading industry standards and practices with respect to planning, designing, constructing, operating, maintaining, monitoring, decommissioning and closing of its TSFs and to strive to achieve the ultimate goal of zero harm to people and the environment, with zero tolerance for human fatality’, as quoted from the GISTM.
- ‘Take responsibility and prioritise the safety of tailings facilities through all phases of a facility’s lifecycle, including closure and post-closure, until a facility meets the criteria of safe closure. It also requires the disclosure of relevant information to support public accountability.’ (GISTM)
- ensure that employees, operators and contractors involved with its TSFs are well trained, informed and competent for working on the TSF operations
- maintaining a sound, transparent work relationship between the appointed Accountable Executive (AE), Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE) and Group Engineer of Record (EoR) in conjunction with the appointed Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB) and Design Engineers, to ensure the maintaining of good governance of its tailings operations.
- maintain and continuously evaluate its Hazard Management System (HMS), interpret the data, act upon variations to ensure that the integrity of its TSFs are monitored consistently.
explore and apply, if needed, innovative technology with respect to all phases of its TSFs, from planning stages, construction, operations to closure and concurrent and final rehabilitation. - manage risks and liabilities with relevant stakeholders through meaningful and transparent communications, engagements and of its operations and Emergency Preparedness Response Plan, with active involvement from the identified role players including regular preparedness drills.
- protect the health and safety of our employees, operators, contractors, communities and environment and respect their rights.
This policy applies to all PAR planned, in-construction, operational and closed tailings storage facilities throughout the Barberton Mines, Elikhulu Tailings Retreatment operation, Evander Gold Mines, Mogale Tailings Retreatment operation including the Soweto Cluster TSF’s, and the TCMG project in Australia.
PAR commits to provide adequate communication to stakeholders regarding conformance to the relevant and applicable tailings management standards and to engage on matters regarding the interpretation, implementation and research on its TSFs and global industry standards.
