Jagersfontein dam owner says reports of second collapse are ‘unfounded’
Company contradicts statement from Free State government, saying there has been no further breach ‘of any kind’
28 September 2022 - 12:18
byBhargav Acharya
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Jagersfontein Developments, the owner of a mine waste dam that partially collapsed two weeks ago, denied on Wednesday that another dam wall had collapsed, contradicting a statement from the Free State government.
“There has been no further breach of any kind at the facility,” the company said, adding reports about a further collapse are “unfounded and untrue”.
After rain on Sunday and Monday, storm water is flowing in areas where mine waste has spilt, Jagersfontein Developments said, and government officials were on site with the company on Tuesday to deal with flows through an adjacent dam.
The provincial government late on Tuesday said another mine dam wall had collapsed, adding it was still trying to establish the extent of the water flow and emergency crews were at the scene.
The tailings dam collapse on September 11, unleashed a flood of grey sludge that swept away houses and cars, leaving one person dead and scores injured.
The day after the collapse, the department of water & sanitation authorised Jagersfontein Developments to pump mine waste from a second compartment of the dam into the historic Jagersfontein diamond mine pit, a process the company said on Wednesday it had started.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Jagersfontein dam owner says reports of second collapse are ‘unfounded’
Company contradicts statement from Free State government, saying there has been no further breach ‘of any kind’
Jagersfontein Developments, the owner of a mine waste dam that partially collapsed two weeks ago, denied on Wednesday that another dam wall had collapsed, contradicting a statement from the Free State government.
“There has been no further breach of any kind at the facility,” the company said, adding reports about a further collapse are “unfounded and untrue”.
After rain on Sunday and Monday, storm water is flowing in areas where mine waste has spilt, Jagersfontein Developments said, and government officials were on site with the company on Tuesday to deal with flows through an adjacent dam.
The provincial government late on Tuesday said another mine dam wall had collapsed, adding it was still trying to establish the extent of the water flow and emergency crews were at the scene.
The tailings dam collapse on September 11, unleashed a flood of grey sludge that swept away houses and cars, leaving one person dead and scores injured.
The day after the collapse, the department of water & sanitation authorised Jagersfontein Developments to pump mine waste from a second compartment of the dam into the historic Jagersfontein diamond mine pit, a process the company said on Wednesday it had started.
Reuters
Another dam wall bursts in Jagersfontein
Mantashe has little chance of reversing court decision on tailings, lawyers say
HILARY JOFFE: Jagersfontein points to all-round failure to deal with tailings dams
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