How Mimosa Constructed Its US$75 Million TSF-4
In the dynamic and challenging world of mining, one aspect that demands the utmost attention is the management of tailings—the byproducts or waste of mining operations.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
For Mimosa Mining Company, the country’s second-leading producer of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), this challenge was met with a groundbreaking solution in the form of their Tailings Storage Facility 4 (TSF-4).
With a price tag of approximately US$75 million, the TSF-4 project represents a significant investment in the sustainability, safety, and future of Mimosa’s mining operations.
According to Mimosa Mining Company General Manager Engineer Stephen Ndiyamba, the construction of TSF-4 was driven by the need to replace the mine’s existing tailings storage facility, TSF-3, which had reached the end of its operational life.
“The TSF-4 project is one of our major initiatives that we’ve been executing over the last few years. We currently operate on TSF-3, our existing tailings storage facility, built and commissioned in 2003. TSF-3 has reached the end of its operational life, necessitating the construction of a new facility, TSF-4, at a cost of approximately $75 million. We are currently in the early stages of commissioning this new tailings storage facility,” the Nduyamba said.
Ndiyamba added that the design of TSF-4 was not just a replication of past facilities, it was a forward-thinking approach that incorporated lessons learned from previous tailings management experiences globally.
He said Mimosa’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship played a crucial role in shaping the facility’s design.
“TSF-4 is designed to cater to the life of the mine, meaning it has the capacity to handle all waste material generated during the remaining lifespan of the Mimosa Mine. In addition, provisions have been made for the potential retreatment of older tailings dams, such as TSF-3 and TSF-2, with the waste from these processes being deposited into the new facility,” he said.
The Mimosa General Manager explained that this approach ensures that TSF-4 will not only serve the current needs of the mine but will also accommodate future operational expansions and waste retreatment initiatives.
“TSF-4 covers an expansive area of about 175 hectares, and the construction was completed entirely by local contractors under the guidance of South African design engineers. The entire process was conducted safely and effectively, and as we begin commissioning, the facility is ready for inspection,” he said.
Site Selection and Ground Preparation
According to Ndiyamba, the construction of TSF-4 began with an extensive site selection process. The chosen location covers an expansive area of about 75 hectares