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Welkom Division

Plant in Free State, South Africa with commodities Gold, Silver, Sulfur, Uranium
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Ownership information
  13. Production statistics
  14. Workings at the site
  15. Links to other databases
  16. Bibliographic references
  17. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10158802
MAS/MILS ID 7910150008
Record type Site
Current site name Welkom Division

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: 26.75149, -27.96325 (WGS84)
Elevation 1372
Location accuracy 1000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Free State(province)

South Africa(country)

Africa(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
South Africa Free State

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Gold Primary
Silver Secondary
Sulfur Secondary
Uranium Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Gold Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Silver Unknown
Uraninite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) 26.75149, -27.96325
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike N30W
    Dip 20E
    Thickness 1.3M
    Depth to top 1150M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 OTHER
    Type of Orebody #2 STRATIFORM
    Shape of Orebody #2 LENTICULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Primary Ore Control FOLDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N30W:20E
    Minimum Depth to Top 600
    Date of Last Modification 851107
  • Strike N30W
    Dip 20E
    Thickness 2M
    Depth to top 1150M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 2
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 OTHER
    Shape of Orebody #2 LENTICULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Primary Ore Control FOLDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N30W:20E
    Minimum Depth to Top 600
    Date of Last Modification 851107

Comments on the geologic information

  • BASAL REEF IS AT THE BASE OF THE UPPER DIVISION OF THE WITWATERSRAND SYSTEM.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Plant
Commodity type Both
Significant No
Discovery year 1946
Year of first production 1951
Plant type Beneficiation (Mill)
Plant subcategory Solvent Extraction-Electrowin

Mining district

District name Orange Free State Gold Fields

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Federal Lease

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Western Holdings Ltd.
    Interest 100
    Home office South Africa
    Year 1982
  • Type Owner
    Owner Anglo American Corp. Of South Africa, Ltd.
    Home office South Africa
    Year 1982

Comments on the ownership information

  • WELKOM AND THE WESTERN HOLDINGS COMPLEX ARE ADMINISTERED BY ANGLO AMERICAN CORP. OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Production statistics

  • Year 1976
    Description 2100999 Mt Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1977
    Description 2183000 Mt Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1978
    Description 2183999 Mt Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1979
    Description 2177999 Mt Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1980
    Description 2278000 Mt Ore Milled/Yr

Comments on the production information

  • SHAFT SINKING BEGAN MAY 1947. FIRST BAR POURED LATE IN 1951. CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION SINCE.

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • M3C1=M1C1+M2C1. Q-MAT 1 = BASAL REEF RESOURCE. Q-MAT 2 = LEADER REEF RESOURCE. DEMONSTRATED RESOURCES = BASAL + LEADER REEF.
  • G-REC 1 = BASAL REEF MATERIAL = Q-MAT 1. G-REC 2 = LEADER REEF MATERIAL = Q-MAT 2 (LOCATED JUST ABOVE, 25-50 M, THE BASAL REEF).

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 1600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method BREAST STOPING 10-30
    Percent Waste Rock 8
    Percent Recovery 100
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK FISSURED WITH MODERATE WATER
    Rock Characteristics MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. POST, HEADBOARD, CAPS, ROOF BOLTS
    Number of Shafts 3
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 7143
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 37.04
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 1600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method BREAST STOPING 10-30
    Percent Waste Rock 8
    Percent Recovery 100
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK FISSURED WITH MODERATE WATER
    Rock Characteristics MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. OPEN STEEL SETS
    Number of Shafts 3
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 5083
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 37.04
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1982

Comments on other economic factors

  • AS OF 1982, THE WELKOM OPERATION CONSISTS OF A 2,000 HA MINING LEASE AREA SPLIT INTO 3 SHAFT SYSTEM AREAS (NO. 1, NO. 2, AND NO. 3). MINE OP. COST = WEIGHTED AVERAGE FOR ALL 4 PROPERTIES IN THE WESTERN HOLDINGS COMPLEX.
  • DEV. REC. 1 = OPERATING WELKOM MILL AT 2,500,000 MTPY LEVEL THRU 1987 (AT DESIGN CAPACITY). DEV. REC. 2 = DECREASE IN ANNUAL MILL THROUGHPUT TO 1,779,000 MTPY LEVEL WHEN ERFDEEL-DANKBAANHEID MILL COMES ON-STREAM IN 1988.
  • ORE FROM NO. 2 SHAFT IS RAILED 2.5 KM (UG) AND ORE FROM NO. 3 SHAFT IS RAILED 5 KM (SURFACE), TO THE NO. 1 SHAFT.
  • THE WELKOM MILL IS LOCATED AT THE NO. 1 SHAFT. MILL OP. COST = WEIGHTED AVERAGE FOR ALL 4 PROPERTIES IN THE WESTERN HOLDINGS COMPLEX.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Geology

    ANHAEUSSER, C.R. 1976, THE NATURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF

  • Geology

    ARCHAEN GOLD MINERALIZATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. MINERALS

  • Geology

    SCI. ENGNG., V. 8, NO. 1, PP. 46-84.

  • Geology

    BOYLE, R.W. 1979, THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF GOLD AND IT'S

  • Geology

    DEPOSITS. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, BULL. 280, 584 PP.

  • Geology

    HAUGHTON, S.H., ED. 1964A, THE GEOLOGY OF SOME ORE

  • Geology

    DEPOSITS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. V. 1, GOLD DEPOSITS OF THE

  • Geology

    WITWATERSRAND BASIN. GEOL. SOC. S. AFRICA, JOHANNESBURG,

  • Geology

    625 PP.

  • Geology

    LIEBENBERG, W.R. 1972, MINERALOGICAL FEATURES OF GOLD

  • Geology

    ORES IN SOUTH AFRICA. PUBLISHED IN GOLD METALLURGY IN SOUTH

  • Geology

    AFRICA, EDITED BY R.J. ADAMSON. CHAMBER OF MINES OF S. AFR.

  • Geology

    MINTER, U.E.L. 1976, DETRITAL GOLD, URANIUM, AND PYRITE

  • Geology

    CONCENTRATIONS PILATED TO SEDIMENTOLOGY IN THE PRECAMBRIAN

  • Geology

    VAAL REEF PLACER, WITWATERSRAND, SOUTH AFRICA. ECONOMIC

  • Geology

    GEOLOGY, V. 71, PP. 157-176.

  • Geology

    PRETORIUS, D.A. 1981, GOLD AND URANIUM IN QUARTZ-PEBBLE

  • Geology

    CONGLOMERATES. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY 75TH ANNIVERSARY VOLUME,

  • Geology

    PP. 117-138.

  • Geology

    PRETORIUS, D.A. 1975, THE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF

  • Geology

    THE WITWATERSRAND GOLDFIELDS. A CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW OF

  • Geology

    SPECULATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS. MIN. SCI. ENGNG., V. 7,

  • Geology

    NO. 1, PP. 18-47.

  • Geology

    SMITH, N.D., AND W.E.L. MINTER. 1980, SEDIMENTOLOGICAL

  • Geology

    CONTROLS OF GOLD AND URANIUM IN TWO WITWATERSRAND PALEO-

  • Geology

    PLACERS. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, V. 75, PP. 1-14.

  • Production

    ADAMSON, R.J. (ED.). 1972, GOLD METALLURGY IN SOUTH

  • Production

    AFRICA, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA, 452 PP.

  • Production

    FINANCIAL TIMES. 1981, MINING INTERNATIONAL YEARBOOK

  • Production

    (SELECTED EXCERPTS).

  • Production

    KING, A.. 1949, GOLD METALLURGY ON THE WITWATERSRAND.

  • Production

    TRANSVAAL CHAMBER OF MINES, 458 PP.

  • Production

    MCQUISTON, F.W. AND R.S. SHOEMAKER. 1975, GOLD AND

  • Production

    SILVER CYANIDATION PLANT PRACTICE. SOCIETY OF MINING ENG.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT. NOV.3.,1978.

  • Deposit

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA, 1981, RAND REFINERY,

  • Deposit

    P.R.D. SERIES NO. 255, 20PP.

  • Deposit

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA, 1980, GOLD IN SOUTH

  • Deposit

    AFRICA, P.R.D. SERIES NO. 241, 28PP.

  • Deposit

    CHAMBER OF MINES, 1980, OVERVIEW OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN

  • Deposit

    MINING INDUSTRY.

  • Deposit

    ELEVATORSKI, E.A. 1981, GOLD MINES OF THE WORLD.

  • Deposit

    PUBLISHED BY MINOBRAS, PP. 78-86.

  • Deposit

    POTTS, D. 1981, THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINING INDUSTRY,

  • Deposit

    1981. PUBLISHED BY CONSOLIDATED GOLD FIELDS, LTD., PP.17-85.

  • Deposit

    GOLD INSTITUTE. 1981, GOLD REGULATIONS AND TAXES FOR

  • Deposit

    MINING, REFINING, MANUFACTURING AND TRADE IN THIRTEEN

  • Deposit

    COUNTRIES. PP. 74-79.

  • Deposit

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 1982, ANALYSIS OF

  • Deposit

    WORKING RESULTS, OCTOBER-DECEMBER, 1981, 8 PP.

  • Deposit

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 1981, 91ST ANNUAL

  • Deposit

    REPORT AND STATISTICAL TABLES. 116 PP.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL RESEARCH SERVICES. 1982, PRODUCTION AND

  • Deposit

    CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINES, 1966-

  • Deposit

    1981.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL RESEARCH SERVICES. 1982, SUMMARY REPORT

  • Deposit

    OF PRODUCTION AND RECOVERY FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINES,

  • Deposit

    1966-1981.

  • Deposit

    MOHIDE, T.F. 1981, GOLD MINERAL POLICY BACKGROUND PAPER

  • Deposit

    NO. 12. ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, PP. 84-112.

  • Deposit

    STORRAR, C.D. 1981, SOUTH AFRICAN MINE VALUATION.

  • Deposit

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA, 470 PP.

  • Deposit

    VISITOR'S GUIDE FOR WESTERN HOLDINGS LTD.

  • Deposit

    ANNUAL REPORTS - WELKOM GOLD MINING CO. LTD., 1975, 1976,

  • Deposit

    1978, 1981.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL - QUARTERLY REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD

  • Deposit

    SHARES, EXCERPTS, 2/80-8/81.

  • Deposit

    COAL GOLD AND BASE MINERALS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA. "OFS

  • Deposit

    METALLURGICAL PLANT COMPLEX COMES INTO OPERATION", APRIL

  • Deposit

    1977, PP. 20-25.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 22-OCT-1996 Boyle, Ed U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

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