Rehabilitation of the Hillendale Mine’s residue storage facility

Abstract

The Tronox KZN Sands Hillendale Mine is located in Zululand – close to Richards Bay. Mining activities commenced in 2001 and the mine’s production came to an end in 2013. At Hillendale, dunes with a high fines content were mined to recover the valuable minerals of ilmenite Zircon and rutile. The fine fraction consisting mainly of fine clay minerals was managed by storage in a residue storage facility (RSF). Following the cessation of mining activities several actions have been implemented towards achieving mine closure. This paper will firstly give some basic background on the operation of the residue facility as part of the Hillendale Mine. Secondly the paper will focus on mine closure activities planned and implemented at the RSF. The learnings and experience gained from the Hillendale Mine will form the basis of future closure plans for RSFs operated as part of Tronox’s newly established mine at Fairbreeze.