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Current reclamation of historical uraniferous tailings dams and sand dumps – exacerbating the mess or minimizing the mining footprint? Case studies within the Witwatersrand goldfields

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Uranium - Past and Future Challenges

Abstract

Since the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand Goldfields in 1886, gold mines produced more than 270 tailings storage facilities (TSFs). In terms of their spatial dimensions tailings are by far the most important source of pollution associated with gold mining. In recent years there has been an increase in reclamation of tailings within the Central-, West, East and Klerksdorp, Orkney, Stilfontein and Hartbeesfontein (KOSH) goldfields. In a number of cases it has been identified that reclamation has been incomplete and without proper remediation. This article will highlight case studies of inappropriate reclamation activities within the Witwatersrand Goldfields and the associated environmental and social impacts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federation for a Sustainable Environment, 8 Palladio corner of Ryk Str. and Roux Ave., Beverley Gardens, Randburg, 2194, South Africa

    Mariette Liefferink & Simone L. Liefferink

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  1. Mariette Liefferink
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  2. Simone L. Liefferink
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Geology, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany

    Broder J. Merkel

  2. Geology, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany

    Alireza Arab

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Liefferink, M., Liefferink, S.L. (2015). Current reclamation of historical uraniferous tailings dams and sand dumps – exacerbating the mess or minimizing the mining footprint? Case studies within the Witwatersrand goldfields. In: Merkel, B., Arab, A. (eds) Uranium - Past and Future Challenges. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11059-2_45

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