EXCURSION •
“ The mine then makes use of this water in the plant where the mined material is washed and processed . The slush then goes to slimes dams where it is left to settle , and we use it for our aglime market after drying with the help of the sun and wind – nothing is wasted .”
The water is also utilised by two water trucks , which run all day , managing the dust levels for the mine , with the local community in mind . Dust levels are monitored by the mine on a monthly basis to make sure there is adherence to regulations and industry standards when it comes to dust limitations .
One of many signposts welcoming visitors to Henley On Klip , en route to Glen Douglas .
The mine and the lake live side by side in a symbiotic relationship , one being the positive off shoot of the other .
All photos : © African Mining | Sharyn Macnamara of impurities in the steel-making process . The open-caste mining created what the team at Glen Douglas calls A-pit , which was mined until 1980 . The quarry pit filled up with water through a natural process of freshwater seepage from the Klip River flowing past the mine , creating a beautiful lake . Bass Lake has since offered the community a recreational facility for camping , fishing , diving , canoeing , and 4x4 trails . Ackerman notes , “ The LOM ( Life of Mine ) of Glen Douglas is approximately 80 years from now , and one usually talks of what the plans are to rehabilitate the land in the future , but here we have a real-life example of the future coexisting with the present .”
Bass Lake is run efficiently to serve the community and local tourism by Bass Lake Enterprises . The company pays rent to the mine and is currently upgrading the facility . The mine maintains the water levels of Bass Lake , which constantly rise due to the seepage from the river , by pumping the water from the lake to their currently operational B pit and C pit 24 / 7 . Ackerman says , “ We monitor water levels at the boreholes every 3 months .”
From left : Plant manager , Freddie Kinghorn and Piet Ackerman , mine manager at the Glen Douglas Dolomite Quarry Pit C .
Aggregate .
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African Mining • February 2022 • 33 |