DISCOVER OUR PROJECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Kumba Iron Ore, Kolomela Mine Permitting, (MRA, EIA, WUL, other)
Background
EXM has undertaken numerous feasibility studies, environmental permitting and legal review processes since the planning and development of Kolomela Iron Ore Mine (part of Kumba Iron Ore). EXM was approached by Kolomela to consolidate and integrate of all Water Use Licence (“WUL”) Activities and Environmental Authorisations (“EA”) associated with the current and future mining operations.
Approach
A detailed legal review and gap analysis was undertaken to identify environmental permitting requirements associated with current and future mining expansion activities. The integration of all environmental requirements into a single WUL, EA and Environmental Management Programme (“EMPr”) was successfully achieved by employing proactive engagement with regulators and the involvement of all relevant role players at Kolomela. The EMPr was developed in consultation with site representatives to ensure the document is practicable and implementable, tailored to the site.
Client Benefits
Provide a practicable approach to environmental management, tailored to the operations.
Prevent duplication and contradicting conditions and commitments.
Allowed for simplified and integrated auditing processes.
Consolidated environmental management approach.
TECHINCAL SERVICES
Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore Land Management Strategy)
Background
EXM was requested to undertake a review of the use of non-mining land owned by Kumba Iron Ore at its Northern Cape operations. A total of 52 000 hectares of land formed part of the strategy and the objective was to provide a plan to de-risk the business while adding value to its targets that included biodiversity, carbon, employment, post-closure integration, skills development and food security.
Approach
The project required assessing all land parcels to identify he opportunities, threats and risks posed by each based on soil, topography, security, ecology, water etc. EXM managed a team of specialist to support the decision making with data that included soils, rangeland, agronomy, groundwater, agronomy and biodiversity. The results allowed EXM to further define the economic value of the land by establishing a business case for livestock, game and crop production options that included the value chain options. A capital and operational budgets with human resources and a governance structure was then developed to manage the land to achieve five-year targets.
Client Benefits
The client was able to understand and manage the risks associated with being a landowner.
The client could link its operational targets with the use of non-mining land including biodiversity offsets, carbon mitigation projects, mine closure planning and socio-economic benefits.
The land could be operated as a revenue-generating contributor to the overall bottom line of the client.
The land is used to trial future agri-business projects.
MINE CLOSURE
Kumba Iron Ore, Kolomela Mine Permitting, (MRA, EIA, WUL, other)
Background
EXM has been providing specialised mine closure and rehabilitation advice and services to the Samancor Chrome Group for over 7 years. Samancor Chrome (Pty) Ltd (Samancor Cr) currently operates two mining sections and five alloy-producing smelters, in the Northwest, Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa. The mines include Eastern Chrome Mines (ECM), consisting of eight mining rights in the Steelpoort area and Western Chrome Mines (WCM), consisting of nine mining rights in the Rustenburg/ Northam area. The smelters include Dikwena Chrome, Ferrometals, TC Smelter, Tubatse Alloys, Middelburg Ferrochrome, and Tubatse Ferrochrome.
The Objective
We wanted to ensure responsible closure of the mines and smelter operations, in alignment with South African legislation and regulations, and to rehabilitate the affected environment effectively after operations cease. The focus is on responsible mine closure while adding value to the business by providing detailed guidance on progressive rehabilitation opportunities, asset transitioning strategies, and implementation of sustainable end land uses.
Approach
The project required a comprehensive understanding of all physical and biophysical aspects associated with the operations to assess opportunities, threats and long-term risks that could impact closure liabilities. EXM initially developed a detailed bill of quantities (BOQ) for each operation, using the EXM Cost Model, which is updated on an annual basis using the latest survey data and modelling software to ensure accurate and auditable cost estimates. Progressive rehabilitation is planned and linked to the cost estimates to ensure optimal value through project execution.
Final closure planning is supported through the development of mine closure plans aligned to the requirements of the NEMA Financial Provisioning Regulations, 2015 (GN R 1147 of 2015, as amended). These plans provide a clear closure vision and objectives, framed by legal requirements and company values that form the basis of the group’s approach to mine closure. The closure plan development is supported by the evaluation of long-term residual and latent risks, conceptual landform modelling, asset transitioning strategies and evaluation of end land use opportunities, based on site-specific requirements and regional needs. We also developed a detailed closure roadmap enabling Samancor Chrome to effectively execute mine closure and rehabilitation, ensuring successful relinquishment when operations cease.
Client Benefits
Ensure compliance with the requirements of the NEMA Financial Provisioning Regulations, 2015 (GN R 1147 of 2015, as amended).
Enhanced understanding and management of closure risks, including residual and long-term latent liabilities.
Practical solutions to complex mine closure risks, tailored to each operation’s unique requirements.
Ongoing support during the annual financial audit of mine closure liabilities to ensure risk management.
Direct linkage of progressive rehabilitation projects to closure liability, facilitating strategic planning.
Capability to forecast the effect of progressive rehabilitation on financial liability over time, reducing overall financial burden.
The client can forecast the effect of progressive rehabilitation on its liability over time in order to reduce financial liability.
An integrated and consolidated approach to mine closure and rehabilitation for the Group
Get in touch with our team to further explore our solutions.
We are dedicated to fostering meaningful partnerships and advocating for positive outcomes for all community stakeholders and rightsholders. Our client base is diverse from individuals looking to commence a project to multinational companies. This gives our team great flexibility in understanding the structure of the solution while being sensitive to cost.