ARD management at Geita Gold Mine

Abstract

The Geita Gold Mine (GGM) is located approximately 4km west of Geita in the Mwanza Region of northern Tanzania. The mine is situated at the headwaters of the Mtakuja River that drains into Lake Victoria approximately 20km north west of plant site. GGM is owned and managed by AngloGold Ashanti Limited which is one of the major gold producer companies in the world. GGM alone produces up to 610,000 oz of gold per year moving towards 880,000 oz in 2007. GGM has sound environmental practices and Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) is one of the main issues of concern. This paper describes the management of ARD at GGM which is mostly done through proper identification and handling of potentially acid forming waste material from all operating five pits. The procedure for ARD management involves: producing a waste model for the life of mine for each pit; validating of waste models using in-pit geological mapping; selective handling and placement of waste in designated areas of the waste rock dump and the tailings dam embankments; validating placement of waste within the waste rock dump and tailings dam embankment; monitoring the placement using piezometers within the waste rock dump, tailings embankment and downstream of these facilities; regular technical reviews and implementing the mentioned procedures for the life of mine. Our rehabilitation programme further enhances the combat of ARD and has been recognised in the Tanzanian mining industry as being the benchmark.