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S41 - Tailings and Tailings Ponds
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| Presentations | ||
🎓 Geochemical controls of potentially toxic element (PTE) release from the Gold One Tailings Dam Complex into the Randfontein area, Witwatersrand, South Africa 1Department of Geology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; 2Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; 3Department of Civil and Geomatics, Faculty of Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa; 4Confucius Institute, International Relations Office, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; 5Council for Geoscience, Minerals and Energy Unit, Cape Town, South Africa This study investigated the release of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from the Gold One Tailings Dam Complex (TDC) in Randfontein, South Africa. The Gold One TDC generally comprised a PTE-leached upper oxidized zone and PTE-enriched lower oxidized, transition and reduced zones. Acid-base accounting determined that TD materials were largely acid-generating. According to sequential extraction procedures, Co and Pb yielded the highest potentially bioavailable concentrations, compared to Cu, Ni and Zn. The results suggest that Co and Pb may pose increased threat to the health of the environment and wildlife. Advances in integrated performance monitoring of Tailings Storage Facilities 1KLM Consulting Services, South Africa; 2Insight Terra, South Africa Since the initiation of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), the adoption by mining companies of advanced monitoring technologies has expanded. These systems utilize continuous, near-real-time data from diverse sensors, integrating geotechnical, hydrological, and environmental measurements. Enhanced by real-time data fusion and advanced statistical analysis, the technology enables the detection of subtle structural deviations, improving the accuracy of quantitative risk assessments, and reducing false positives. Dynamic, tailored response plans are activated based on detected anomalies and forward-looking statistical trend analysis, enabling swift, informed decision-making. This approach enhances safety and proactive risk management for tailings storage facilities and promotes regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Catoca Diamond Mine – implementation of an advanced monitoring network for a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) 1Catoca Mining Society, Luanda, Angola; 2KLM Consulting Services, South Africa Catoca mine is an open-pit diamond mine belonging to Sociedade Mineira do Catoca in Angola that began in 1995. It has a large active tailings storage facility (TSF) and two smaller deactivated TSFs. Catoca aims to comply with Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) and has installed a comprehensive monitoring and fully automated control network infrastructure that is connected to a database and dashboard viewed by operators and managers. This interactive database can be accessed anywhere in the world. The enhanced monitoring network can be used in analysing the causes of TSF failures and providing early warnings for prevention of failures. | ||