Abstract
The mining of old tailings storage facilities (TSFs) or dams/dumps has become a common mining operation in South Africa. This has several interesting aspects that are different to normal surface mining operations. When considering the estimation of Mineral Reserves, the Competent Person must consider the conditions of mining historical TSFs that are often in close proximity of communities. This paper discusses the modifying factors required to convert a Mineral Resource to a Mineral Reserve, such as mining sequence, dilution, mining losses, environmental, social / community and government. The paper also investigates the role that Inferred Mineral Resources may have on the life of mine plans of tailings dam projects.