ZAC fixes dam after slurry spill incident
06 January 2022, Johannesburg
Press Release
ZAC fixes dam after slurry spill incident
Mine is committed to working with stakeholders to resolve concerns after heavy rainfalls
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
ZAC (Zululand Anthracite Colliery) has been producing and washing anthracite in the Okhukho area of Zululand for the last 38 years. ZAC is located 25km from Nongoma, and 40km from Ulundi, in the heart of rural Zululand. Areas of interest bordering the mining right area are the Mfolozi River, and the Mfolozi section of the Hluhluwe Mfolozi game park.
ZAC employs 1100 people in the area, either directly or as contractors servicing the operation. As a vital cog in the local community, ZAC appreciates the importance of managing the varied demands placed upon it, while operating sustainably and for the benefit of the local community. The history and ongoing durability of the mine attest to an operation generally operating in sync with these demands.
SPILL EVENT AND CAUSE THEREOF
ZAC Environmental Superintendent Msawenkosi Buthelezi explains that: On 24 December 2021, at approximately 14:00, an end wall of slurry pond 3 failed, resulting in a pollution spill of 1 500m3 of coal slurry. The spill was caused by the failure of the slurry pond end wall. This slurry pond end wall was newly installed, following the loading out of the dry slurry during November 2021. A further aggravating factor in the end wall failure was the heavy rain fall four days prior to the failure – 66mm.
MITIGATORY MEASURES – CLEAN UP AND COMPENSATION
Upon receiving a report on the failure, mine management immediately began with plugging the pond and initiated a clean-up operation, both manually and mechanically. These clean-up operations will continue as guided by the relevant legislation.
To assess possible damage caused to surrounding host communities, ZAC is engaging the relevant local community forums and structures to identify any such damage and discuss resolutions thereof. ZAC has a long-standing history of working closely with host communities – a policy we are proud of implementing. Over the last five years, ZAC has supplied treated, potable, piped water to both livestock and human consumption in the area. ZAC continues to do this, at 23 communal taps, at a rate of 2 511 000 litres per month.
On the 5th and 6th January 2022, ZAC management held meetings with the ZAC Community Forum structures through which the mine regularly interacts with host communities. The meetings received a detailed briefing. Community leaders were generally satisfied with the manner in which ZAC has handled the incident, working together with the host communities themselves as well as relevant authorities to ensure continued support for livelihoods and economic activities.
MITIGATORY MEASURES – PREVENTION OF RECURRENCE
Immediately after the spill, all pumping to the slurry ponds was stopped.
The end wall of slurry pond was rebuilt and is awaiting a professional engineer certification before the pond is brought back into service. The integrity of the other slurry ponds containment walls will also be checked by a professional engineer and, where necessary, improvements will be made.
In the medium term, a filter press will be installed in the coal washing plant, to remove the slurry from the water, and therefore minimise the likelihood of slurry spilling in future. This action is planned for completion by the end of March 2022. One such plant was installed in 2020, and as a result of the successful operation thereof, another will be put into place.
NOTIFICATION AND INVOLVEMENT OF AUTHORITIES
The relevant government authorities were notified of the spill event, immediately following the spill.
“An inspection by an official from Department of Water and Sanitation was made on the 26 December 2021. ZAC is working with the relevant government departments to ensure that all legal requirements are met,” Buthelezi concludes.
For more information, contact:
Menar Corporate Communication Department
Siphiwe Tame
Tel: +27 11 783 7996
Email: pr@menar.com