The copper smelter of Ongopolo Mining is in need of a new mining dump. An old quarry site on the Ongopolo property to the north of the Tsumeb Mine has been proposed. The quarry was historically used for the excavation of backfill material for the Tsumeb Mine during the 1960s. The quarry is situated on the northern face of a ridge that runs from east to west separating the town of Tsumeb and the old Tsumeb Mining area from the Tsumeb Smelter Complex to the north. Since the waste contains potentially toxic metals such as arsenic and cadmium, it is regarded as hazardous. The waste site will be designed, constructed and managed to the most stringent standards to ensure that the surrounding environment is protected, according to the consultants, Walmsley & Partners.

The amount of waste to be deposited at the site will depend on the arsenic content of the ore bodies to be mined in the future. The current waste stream produced at the smelter is approximately 1 000 t per month. This waste together with historical wastes (approximately 25 000 tons) must be accommodated. A significant waste reduction is expected in the future due to the closure of Khusib Springs Mine and the limited extent of mining operations currently taking place in Tsumeb. The 8-hectare quarry site is sufficient for the next 20 years. The site will be designed, constructed and managed in accordance with South African standards developed by the RSA Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and are in line with international best practice. Ongopolo Mining & Processing Limited appointed Jones & Wagener Consulting Civil Engineers, to assist them in the site design. The design team will work closely with the environmental consultants and the authorities to ensure that measures are put in place to protect the environment. Public consultations will take place, Walmsley Consultants noted in their briefing paper this week.