A tailings dam at Samancor Chrome’s Dikwena operation near Brits collapsed on Thursday, sending a large volume of muddy material towards neighbouring Eland Mine.
Samancor Chrome is a major chrome mining and ferrochrome producer in South Africa. The company operates several mining and ferrochrome operations across the country, including Dikwena Chrome in the Brits area of the North West.
The company says its core business is the mining and smelting of chrome ore and that it is one of the world’s largest integrated ferrochrome producers.
According to a report by MiningMX, employees at Eland Mine’s Maroelabult shaft noticed that the access road from the R566 had been covered in a large amount of mud.
Mine personnel later reported that the sidewalls of the Dikwena tailings facility appeared to have collapsed, causing the muddy material to flow towards the mine.
The incident is also said to have caused damage to Eskom infrastructure, disrupting electricity supply to Brits, Hennops and surrounding areas.
Samancor Chrome spokesperson Sunel Pretorius told the SABC that the incident is still under investigation and that no injuries have been reported.
She said the company is working with the relevant authorities, while clean-up and repair work has already started.
“We are very grateful to report that no injuries were recorded. The incident is currently under investigation, and we are co-operating fully with relevant authorities,” Pretorius said.
“Dikwena Chrome remains committed to protecting the health and safety of our people and the environment. Clean-up and repair operations have commenced, and further appropriate measures will be implemented once the investigation is complete.”
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