Mine excursion
The Circular Shaft will be refurbished when West Wits moves their operations underground in five to six years .
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year once the underground operations are in full swing . The mine has an estimated life of 30 years .
“ We will mine to depths of only about 400m because of the water table . There are certain areas where there is a lot of unmined reef at about 1 500 – 2 000m , but the water might be a problem . The flooded water table is a result of the historical mines . However , by creating a water pillar , it is possible to mine these areas . Harmony Gold is doing exactly that at its Doornkop mine , where they are mining as deep as 2 000m despite the water . But they are doing this behind a ‘ water barrier ’ or ‘ water pillar ’. Our plan , though , is to stay shallow — it is easier and less costly . We ’ ll keep it basic ,” says Quinert .
West Wits is still waiting for a mining right application to be approved for the entire area , and there are two mining permit applications for two discrete projects that are still outstanding . The mining currently taking place at Sol Plaatjies follows official instructions from the Department of Mineral Resources to undertake remediation . This is separate from other mining rights that West Wits is pursuing . The plan , according to Quinert , is to start mining in quarter two of 2019 .
West Wits is soldiering on despite the fierce opposition , and bad press , that the project has evoked . “ We believe West Wits can improve the living conditions for all people in the area , through mining and rehabilitating these extremely degraded areas . All we ask is that we be given a fair go ,” says Quinert . Maybe the early and gusty August winds do indeed bring change . And maybe it opens up a new chapter in the often-troubled book about the mining history of the Witwatersrand . b
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OCTOBER 2018 MINING MIRROR [ 19 ]