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Published in:
2015 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Current reclamation of historical uraniferous tailings dams and sand dumps – exacerbating the mess or minimizing the mining footprint? Case studies within the Witwatersrand goldfields
Authors : Mariette Liefferink, Simone L. Liefferink
Published in: Uranium - Past and Future Challenges
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
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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.