The TSF-4 tailings storage facility at the Mimosa platinum mine marks a significant achievement in Zimbabwe, resulting from the collaboration of local firms and SRK Consulting. Designed to meet GISTM standards while addressing specific local conditions like talc content, the facility represents a commitment to local empowerment and sustainable mining practices. The project includes innovative drainage solutions to enhance safety and operational efficiency, ensuring a robust framework for future mining activities.
The construction of the TSF-4 tailings storage facility at the Mimosa platinum mine showcases the remarkable capabilities of Zimbabwean firms collaborating with SRK Consulting. This facility represents Zimbabwe’s second-largest tailings storage, designed to bolster local industry and reaffirm the importance of regional expertise following the project’s design completion in May 2022 and continuing under a two-year civil works and operational phase until March 2024.
The Mimosa Mining Company, a joint venture between Sibanye-Stillwater and Implats, retained SRK Consulting from South Africa for the detailed design of TSF-4. Andrew Robertshaw, SRK’s partner and principal civil engineer, remarked that this project reflects significant engineering advancements and is optimized for a production rate of 466,000 tonnes monthly over the next two decades.
A critical strategy of the project is the empowerment of local enterprises, such as Forit Contracting and Kumba Resources Zimbabwe, which played crucial roles in construction and laboratory services. Paterson & Cooke Consulting Engineers contributed to the mechanical and electrical design, emphasizing local involvement in the project’s execution.
The TSF-4 has been engineered to meet the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), addressing unique local challenges like high talc content in the tailings. This designed necessitates complex drainage systems to prevent risks associated with material settling and potential structural compromise within the facility.
McNeil, a corporate consultant with SRK, highlighted the importance of a sophisticated drainage system to rapidly manage water in tailings, essential for maintaining structural integrity. Innovations were added for ‘future-proofing’ the facility’s operation, which is intended to enhance longevity and efficiency while managing water seepage effectively.
The development of the TSF-4 tailings storage facility at the Mimosa platinum mine exemplifies Zimbabwe’s commitment to local empowerment through expertise and innovative engineering. Collaboration among local firms, attention to unique environmental challenges, and adherence to global standards have collectively led to a strategically important and technologically advanced construction project. Through this undertaking, significant strides have been made in maintaining safety and sustainability, ensuring the long-term viability of mining activities in the region.
Original Source: africanminingmarket.com
