Proposed Limpopo West Mine Concept Study ... - SRK Consulting

SRK Consulting: 447493: Limpopo West Geochem Page 182.6 ProcessingThe objective of the coal beneficiation for the PLWM is to produce two types of products during thethree phases of mining; a prime export product and a middlings power generation product. Theprocesses are classified in terms of the proposed mining phases and are as follows:Phase 1 - a coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) with a maximum capacity of 400 ktpaROM coal for a period limited to 10 years. This process will include a two-stage dense mediumseparation washing plant, a fines treatment and a slime disposal plant.Phase 2 - expansion (16 Mtpa) to a large scale operation most probably after 2018, with theobjective to supply a new coal-fired power station. The type of products to be generated will besimilar to those in Phase 1. This process will require three 800 tph DMS modules. Phase 3 - expansion from 45 Mtpa to 100 Mtpa and production will only commence 20 to 30years after the Mining Rights have been awarded.During full production of Phase 3, it is expected that there will be a total of thirteen multi-wash plantmodules. A module consists of a screening plant, high gravity DMS, low gravity DMS and a DMS forPCI product. There will be seven single wash modules. Each module is comprised of a screeningplant and a high gravity DMS. Arranging the plant in modules reduces inefficiency caused by feedsegregation and also reduces the complexity of the process. There will also be low-ash coalstreams that require screening only.3 Objectives and Work program3.1 ObjectivesThe key objectives of the geochemical characterisation for the PLWM were to:Review available geochemical information on the geological materials that will be disturbed bymining operations at the proposed PLWM;Collate and interpret the available data to assess the Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) and MetalLeaching (ML) potential of the material; andTo provide geochemical input to support the application for environmental authorisation for aWater Use License and waste license.3.2 Work ProgramTo address the above objectives, the scope of the study included:A desk study to review available geochemical characterisation information on geologicalmaterials that will be disturbed by mining operations at PLWM including:Data analysis and interpretation of data from the information review; andReport writing to document the findings of the study.It should be noted that due to the unavailability of rock cores, no geochemical sampling and analysiswas conducted by SRK in 2013 to verify the reported geochemical information. Reliance was madeon previous geochemical sampling conducted bu SRK and other for the Sasol Mafutha assessment.4 Assumptions and LimitationsThe key assumptions and limitations of this assessment are as follows:SRK was informed by the Sasol Geologist, that core had not been preserved and coreavailability was limited across the proposed mining area. Therefore sample details and analyticalresults were obtained from IGS, and were used for the geochemical interpretation. SRKassumes that the integrity of these samples were not compromised by any means and that thesamples are representative of the coal and overburden lithologies that will be mined during theproposed project.GOGP/LAKJ Report_April2013_19April2013 (1)_Final_Ludi_22052013 April 2013