Mining for Closure: Policies, practises and guidelines for sustainable mining and closure of mines

Box 8 Drainage tunnel mushroom farms

Case example

Tunnel Closure – Diamond Mushroom Farms

Market opportunity

Tunnels stable environment and climate provides competitive advantage for mushroom grower

Capital expenditure

ZAR 600 000

Longevity

Ongoing

Infrastructure

Underground drainage tunnels in historical mining area around the “Big Hole” of Kimberley

Employment

12 persons

Market

Leading supplier of specialty mushrooms with southern African distribution network. Turnover ZAR 800 000/p.a.

Additional benefit

Underground drainage tunnels an ongoing maintenance liability for De Beers. This was turned into rental income.

Fate

Project acquired by De Beers for use as an empowerment vehicle.

Box 9 Metallurgical plant fish farm

Case example

Metallurgical Plant Closure – AngloGoldFish (West Rand)

Market opportunity

Ponds ideal for managing water conditions for fish farming – such operations carried out by existing business actors

Capital expenditure

ZAR 2.5 million

Longevity

Ongoing.

Infrastructure

Metallurgical Plants designed for the circulation of liquids

Employment

18

Market

Outgrower to existing exporter. Turnover ZAR 3.6 million/p.a.

Additional benefit

If replicated at 4 earmarked sites closure savings could have exceeded ZAR 45 million and result in a world class player in the ornamental fish business.

Fate

Avoidance of closure cost in excess of ZAR 7 million

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MINING FOR CLOSURE