Mining West Coast mining
Mining West Coast mining and prospecting is booming. SECTOR INSIGHT Kropz is mining the country’s second-largest phosphate deposit. Bitterfontein, a small town on the northern edge of the Western Cape, lies on the Knersvlakte, so called because wagons would grind and crunch their wheels over the quartz stones that litter the area. The translation from Afrikaans is “gnashing plain”. Bitterfontein is also the railhead for the historic copper mining operations of Okiep in the Northern Cape. In 2023 Bitterfontein was in the news when Nekwana Trading Enterprise announced that it wanted to prospect nearby for garnets, kaolin (clay), leucoxene, monazite, manganese ore and sillimanite. The Knersvlakte Nature Reserve is part of the Succulent Karoo with leaf succulents prominent. This example of the possible conflict of interest between mining interests and conservation is becoming a staple of West Coast interaction. South Africa’s second-largest phosphate deposit is being mined by Kropz at its Elandsfontein facility near Saldanha, pictured. The company website notes its environmental responsibilities because the deposit lies below the water table. The nearby Saldanha Lagoon is a “significant wetland in terms of UNESCO’s Ramsar Convention”. The environmental organisation Protect The West Coast notes that there are currently “more than 30 prospecting and mining applications, as well as scores of active mines on the West Coast”. This includes active prospecting at sea for oil but is mostly related to mineral sands such as zircon, ilmenite, rutile, magnetite and garnet. The organisation is concerned that methods of mining that create trenches on beaches are destructive of the fragile environment. Tronox’s Namakwa Sands operations is one of the biggest existing mines in the area. Titanium dioxide feedstock suitable for ONLINE RESOURCES Council for Geoscience: www.geoscience.org.za Geological Society of South Africa: www.gssa.org.za Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za both the chloride and sulphate TiO2 processes is produced, as is zircon, rutile and pig iron. The operation begins with an openpit mine and concentration plants at Brand-se-Baai, about 385km north of Cape Town. Once separated into ilmenite, natural rutile and zircon, the products are transported to the company’s smelter at Saldanha Bay. Sixteen rare earth minerals have been identified north of Vanrhynsdorp, with the most prevalent being cerium, an important component of catalytic converters. Limestone for cement, agricultural lime and feed lime is extracted at several sites in the province’s western regions while kaolin is found in Noordhoek and Somerset West. Ball clay is mined in the Albertina area by G&W Base and Industrial Minerals. Afrimat has five sand mines, eight quarries, nine readymix batching plants, one dolomite mine and a brick and block factory in the Western Cape. The Cape Bentonite Mine near Heidelberg is run by Ecca Holdings with another site east of Knysna at Roode Fontein. Dimension stone occurs around Vanrhynsdorp and mediumgrain granite is found at Paarl. ■ WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024 22 PHOTO: Kropz
CSIR’s visionary leadership in sustainable mining A holistic approach to acid-mine-drainage management and circular-economy transformation. “A firm commitment to sustainable mining extends beyond the theoretical.” – Dr Ryneth Mbhele. This article by Water Research Centre group leader Dr Ryneth Mbhele looks at the CSIR’s strategic value chain, market analysis and the significant ways in which the organisation uses its current resources and competencies to transform the mining landscape. CSIR’s strategic value chain Our emphasis on the AMD value chain exemplifies a complete strategy, encompassing AMD treatment and prediction as well as cleanup and sustainable practices. Recognising the limitations of present approaches, such as high sludge output and variable efficacy, we advocate for long-term improved treatment efficiency, effectively offsetting operating costs and boosting resource recovery. The CSIR’s focus on sustainable AMD practices and bulk supply production demonstrates its dedication to transformational, industry-leading solutions. Market analysis of rare earth elements and minerals At the CSIR, we believe that market analysis must go beyond traditional bounds, investigating the recovery of rare earth elements and minerals from AMD through the lens of circular economy perspectives.The CSIR presents itself as a thought leader at the nexus of environmental responsibility and economic viability. with broader sustainable development goals. Driving innovation through research and development The organisation’s dedication to innovation is a way of creating a transformational future. This is demonstrated by substantial research and development activities. Collaborating for a sustainable future Our visionary leadership and groundbreaking initiatives in this research space are set on propelling the mining industry toward a sustainable, circular future. Our strategic value chain, market insights and impactful contributions underscore their pivotal role in driving transformative change across the industry. Your collaboration with the CSIR isn’t just a strategic choice; it’s an investment in a sustainable, resilient future for the mining sector and our planet. Together, we forge a path towards responsible mining practices and a circular economy that safeguards both the industry and the environment for generations to come. ■ By Dr Ryneth Mbhele Email: rmbhele@csir.co.za FOCUS Impactful contributions Our unwavering commitment to sustainable mining goes beyond the theoretical. The CSIR addresses significant environmental challenges by minimising the use of key resources such as water and energy. Our comprehensive approach ensures not only longterm mine closure but also the establishment of new job prospects, paving the path for mechanisation and innovative industry practices. The CSIR advocates for the generation of food, energy and clean water, aligning its objectives Dr Ryneth Mbhele is a research group leader at the CSIR’s Water Research Centre. She holds a PhD in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Pretoria. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is emerging as a trailblazer on the African continent in the continuously changing mining arena, managing the difficult challenges of acidmine drainage (AMD) with its innovative circulareconomy approach. 23 WESTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024
