Brand Manager and Group Communication officer, Moeketsi Max Manoeli, says their tailing dams are audited by the Independent Auditors on a quarterly basis to ensure that there is safety and stability. His statement comes after a community leader in Khuma, Zukisi Jam, alleged that residents have been raising warnings about the stability and safety of the mine dam which he alleges isn't maintained. He alleges that the mine’s proximity to the homes or residents is a serious worry. Jam says that as the mine is close to residents, it poses a serious threat in the event that if it collapses, a lot of people will die.

“Residents further say if the dam was to collapse, the entire Khuma would be cleaned out. They made an example [of the Merriespruit disaster] where the mine dam collapsed in the Free State many years before the current incident in Jagersfontein. The incident which took place recently is the second one in that province. The dam [at Merriespruit, Virginia] collapsed in 1994 and 17 people died.

Khuma residents - given the recent events in Jagersfontein - are now more restless and as if this is not worse we have just received reports that Harmony is extending the dam, that dam is arguably the biggest mine dam in the world,” Jam adds.

On Monday, whilst addressing Jagersfontein victims in the Fauresmith Hall, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Mining Mineral Council would travel throughout the country to inspect and assess mine dams following the tragedy that has left over 200 people destitute or homeless, one dead and scores injured.  

"There has been extensive damage, I saw with my own eyes. I saw a lot of damaged cars and I saw how the mudslide travelled across the area and damaged houses and infrastructure. I saw that some of the houses were swept away by this mudslide. We are saddened about the loss of life and those who ended up in the hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident. I was at the hospital and I saw a couple of them who got injured, this is really sad," President Ramaphosa said.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa promises #JagersfonteinDisaster victims assistance - WATCH

On Sunday the Jagersfontein Development Project (JDP) mining dam collapsed and houses, including cars belonging to residents, were washed away by the mudslide leaving a trail of destruction.

ALSO READ: Houses, cars swept away by strong stream of water in Free State town | WATCH

Harmony Gold’s Manoedi, however, says Harmony’s Tailings Management Strategy is to ensure we implement global best practices where applicable and as an industry, they recognise the potential harm to communities and the environment that could be caused by tailings waste and pollutants.

He adds that the company has actually created more job opportunities for the local residents of Khuma because the majority of those employed in that mine come from the community.

Robust and meticulous engineering and dam design, along with the continuous focus on the management of risks and a layered assurance and oversight, ensures sustainable integrity, stability, and environmental and legal compliance.

ALSO READ: Harmony’s tailings management strategy

These focus areas include but are not limited to: 

· Freeboard control; 

· Water management; 

· Maintaining stability and the safety factor as advised by the Engineer of Record; 

· Erosion controls; as well as 

· Monitoring and control measures implemented to ensure continued compliance. 

"This includes regular inspections, audits and meetings on varying intervals with subsequent actions, minutes and reports ensuring we deliver the desired results. All our South African operations have been independently audited and confirmed as meeting or exceeding legal requirements."

OFM News