Project Details

Client Koffiefontein Mine JV
Location Koffiefontein, Free State
Project Value R 428 514.75
Completed Current

Project Description

The Koffiefontein Diamond Mine is located on the Remaining Extent of the Farm Koffiefontein 733 in the Free State Province, 100 km south from Kimberley.

The mine is owned by Petra Diamonds and Re-Teng Diamonds (Pty) Ltd. The mining infrastructure, started off (1870) as open pits until 1981, when underground mining was introduced.

The underground mining has resulted in the requirement for slimes dams (West Dam, Middle Dam and East Dam) within the mine premises. Koffiefontein is one of the world’s top kimberlite mines by average value per carat. The mine produces high-value diamonds, a regular proportion of which are beautiful white diamonds between 5 and 30 carats in size. The Life of Mine is expected at 15 years but with on-going re-mining activity, this may be extended.

The mine is running out of space for disposal of slimes from the current diamond mining and processing operations. A new slimes dam will be required and will be sized to cater to the extension of the Life of Mine. The slimes dam will be located on mining property, adjacent to existing slimes dams to ensure that even the proposed slime dam is disposed in an environmental responsible manner. Petra Diamonds’ expansion plan at Koffiefontein Diamond Mine is expected to increase production by the year 2017.Koffiefontein Diamond Mine currently has environmental authorisation for mining.

Scope of Services

Zitholele Consulting has been appointed by Koffiefontein Diamond Mine to do an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this proposed additional slime dam and associated infrastructure. The EIA will identify, propose and assess feasible sites for locating the preferred slime dam, different technologies for the managing of slime and various possible designs for the disposal facility. The scope of services include:

• Undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment process
• Identify, propose and assess feasible sites
• Undertake conceptual design of slimes dam facility
• Commission and manage required specialist studies
• Undertake a comprehensive Public Participation Process