Kusasalethu’s closure being planned

The plan, drawn up by Digby Wells Environmental on behalf of Kusasalethu’s owner, Harmony Gold, addresses the environmental, social, and economic aspects of the mine’s closure.
According to the document, Kusasalethu has enough gold reserves to continue mining until 2037. However, due to the current economic climate and mine planning, mining may stop as early as 2024.
However, the situation may change according to fluctuations in the gold price and the state of the country.
Kusasalethu’s mining right comprises two sections, the currently operational Kusasalethu and Deelkraal, which is non-operational. Harmony acquired Elandsrand, later renamed Kusasalethu, and Deelkraal from AngloGold in 2001. Although mining activities ceased at Deelkraal in 2004, the shafts still provide ventilation.
The plan also sets out the areas affected by the mine’s closure. They include the village Deelkraal, which was sold to another owner but never proclaimed as a township as initially intended.
Harmony still provides essential services like water and electricity to the village.
One of the listed limitations to the plan is that there is no final decision on land ownership after the mine’s closure.
The environmental impact is another issue discussed in the closure plan.
According to a previous study, the mine could flood within 19 years after closure, and the decant would have a “significant impact” on the environment and “cause widespread contamination of groundwater”.
The closure plan has been reissued after it was previously issued in July.
The public can review and comment on the document for 30 days, from 25 August to September. People can view it at Kusasalethu Gold Mine and the Merafong City Local Municipality or download it data-free at https://view.datafree.co/PublicDocuments/
For more information, contact the stakeholder engagement team at Digby Wells at 011 789 9495 or sh@digbywells.com.