Name of the Project
Withok tailings storage facility (TSF).

Location
Immediately south of the Brakpan TSF, in Gauteng, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Gold producer DRDGOLD, a specialist in the recovery of the metal from the retreatment of surface tailings.

Project Description
Withok is DRDGOLD’s longer-term TSF initiative.

The site is adjacent to Ergo Mining’s Brakpan TSF and is designed to provide 310-million tonnes of additional tailings storage capacity. 

Once commissioned, Withok will provide further deposition optionality and allow for Ergo’s throughput to increase by 150 000 t a month, from 1.65-million to 1.8-million tonnes a month.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Initial estimated capital expenditure is R2.5-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction is expected to take up to 24 months once all regulatory approvals are in hand, with completion targeted for 2029.

Latest Developments
Public participation has been completed while DRDGOLD’s design engineer, an approved professional person and the project teams have also been approved.

Applications for environmental authorisation, a waste management licence and a water-use licence have been submitted. The water-use licence and environmental authorisation are required before the facility design can be submitted to the Dam Safety Office.

Until Withok is commissioned, Ergo expects to maintain throughput of 1.65-million tonnes a month, a rate it can sustain until 2031.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Not disclosed.

Contact Details for Project Information
DRDGOLD, tel +27 11 470 2600.
Third Act Consulting, on behalf of DRDGOLD, email DRDGOLD_Communications@thirdactconsultants.com.