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Mponeng

Plant in South Africa with commodities Gold, 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. Ownership information
  12. Production statistics
  13. Reserves and resources
  14. Workings at the site
  15. Links to other databases
  16. Bibliographic references
  17. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10159066
MRDS ID W014843
MAS/MILS ID 7910200065
Record type Site
Current site name Mponeng
Alternate or previous names Western Deep Levels
Related records 10071446

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: 27.41816, -26.4133 (WGS84)
Elevation 1500

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

South Africa(country)

Africa(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country
South Africa

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Gold Primary
Uranium Secondary

Materials information

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

Nearby scientific data

(1) 27.41816, -26.4133
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike N85E
    Dip 20S
    Depth to top 3000M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 STRATIFORM
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Primary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. NONE
    Strike And Dip N85E:20S
    Minimum Depth to Top 1500
    Date of Last Modification 860102
  • Area 4103HA
    Field Value
    Total Surface Area (HA) 4103
    Date of Last Modification 910418

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Plant
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant Yes
Mining method Filled Stopes
Year of first production 1962
Plant type Leach
Plant subcategory Hydromet
Milling method Hydrometallurgy Unspecified

Mining district

District name Oberholzer District Of West Wits Line Of Witwatersrand Goldfields

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Western Deep Levels, Ltd.
    Interest 100
    Home office South Africa
    Year 1981
  • Type Owner
    Owner Gold And Uranium Division Of Anglo American Corp., S. A.
    Home office South Africa
    Year 1981

Production statistics

  • Year 1976
    Description 2941000 Mt Of Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1977
    Description 2976999 Mt Of Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1978
    Description 3222999 Mt Of Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1979
    Description 3740999 Mt Of Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1980
    Description 3328999 Mt Of Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1981
    Description 3156000 Mt Of Ore Milled/Yr
  • Year 1992
    Description Production Of Gold Bullion 38 Metric Tons.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Gold Gold 38mt

Comments on the production information

  • PA, PC, AND PE ARE DORE BULLION, WHICH IS TRANSPORTED TO THE RAND REFINERY BY ARMORED CARS. PB, PD, AND PF ARE RECOVERED YELLOW CAKE FROM SURFACE DUMPS, PROCESSED TO AMMONIUM DIURANATE, AS END PRODUCT.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Indicated 5790000mt ore
    Demonstrated 5790000mt ore
    Total resources 5790000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 16.1 g/mt Gold Major 1993

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • 1989 AU PRODUCTION = 1,304,319 OZ FROM TREATMENT OF 6,586,634 MT ORE. WAS UPDATED FOR THE 1992 AU AVAILABILITY STUDY. 1991 PROD. = 1,321,716 OZ AU FROM TREATING 6,623,000 TNS ORE.
  • QMAT 1 = CARBON LEADER REEF. QMAT 2 = VENTERSDORP CANTACT REEF. VENTERSDORP CONTACT REEF HAS NO URANIUM. QMAT 3 = SURFACE DUMPS. QMAT 4 = COMBINED RESOURCES FOR ETD. M4C1=M1C1+M2C1+M3C1.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method STRIP-LEVEL
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 0
    Primary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Hardness of Ore SAND, SILT
    Capacity 571
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 0
    Unit Production Cost 54.91
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 2
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method STRIP-LEVEL
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 0
    Primary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Hardness of Ore SAND, SILT
    Capacity 571
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 0
    Unit Production Cost 54.63
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 3
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method STRIP-LEVEL
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 0
    Primary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Hardness of Ore SAND, SILT
    Capacity 9286
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 23.61
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Surface
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 4
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method STRIP-LEVEL
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 0
    Primary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Hardness of Ore SAND, SILT
    Capacity 9286
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 4
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 3600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method FILLED STOPES
    Percent Recovery 65
    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 8714
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 54.91
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 3600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method BREAST STOPING 10-30
    Percent Recovery 35
    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 8714
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 54.91
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 3600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 2
    Mining Record # 3
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method BREAST STOPING 10-30
    Percent Recovery 35
    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 14543
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 54.63
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 3600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 2
    Mining Record # 4
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method BREAST STOPING 10-30
    Percent Recovery 65
    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 14543
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 54.63
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982
  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 3600M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 3
    Mining Record # 5
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method BREAST STOPING 10-30
    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 5829
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 23.61
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1982

Comments on other economic factors

  • MINE OPERATING COSTS ARE THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF UNDERGROUND MINING OP COST AND SURFACE MINING OP COST. REFINING DORE BULLION AT RAND REFINERY IS $3794/MT DORE, WITH TRANSPORTATION COSTS INCLUDED.
  • MINE OPERATING COST FOR OPEN PIT MINING IS $4.00/MT ORE.
  • THE CARBON REEF IS 65% OF D1 UNDERGROUND TONNAGE; VCR IS THE OTHER 35%, AND FEED GRADE IS THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE. THE CARBON REEF IS 59% OF D2 UNDERGROUND TONNAGE; VCR IS 41%; AND FEED GRADE IS THE WEIGHTED OF ALL MATERIALS. ONLY VCR AND SLIME DUMPS MATERIALS FOR D3; 2 MILLION TONS AND 3.25 MILLION TONS, RESPECTIVELY.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Production

    MINING WEEKLY, P. 6 (JUNE 25, 1993).

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT. NOV.3, 1978.

  • Reserve-Resource

    AME MINERAL ECONOMICS QUARTERLY MINE ANALYSIS, JUN 93,P. 32.

  • Deposit

    TOOMBS, R.B., A SURVEY OF THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF SOUTH

  • Deposit

    AFRICA, MINERAL INFORMATION BULLETIN MR 58, MINERAL

  • Deposit

    RESOURCES DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF MINES, OTTAWA, 1962.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, WITWATERSRAND GOLD, MAY 1977, P. 50-53.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING REGISTER 76-77, MILLER FREEMAN PUBLICATIONS,

  • Deposit

    INC., 1977.

  • Deposit

    MINTER, W.E.L., DETRITAL GOLD, URANIUM, AND PYRITE CON-

  • Deposit

    CENTRATIONS RELATED TO SEDIMENT GEOLOGY IN THE PRECAMBRI-

  • Deposit

    AN VAAL REEF PLACER, WITWATERSRAND, SOUTH AFRICA, ECONO-

  • Deposit

    MIC GEOLOGY, V. 71, NO. 1, 1977, P. 157-176.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF

  • Deposit

    MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING OPERATIONS, MC GRAW HILL,

  • Deposit

    NEW YORK, 1976.

  • Deposit

    SOUTH AFRICA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SPECIAL PUBLICATION NO. 18,

  • Deposit

    1972.

  • Deposit

    MINING ANNUAL REVIEW, MINING JOURNAL, LONDON, 1977, P. 431-

  • Deposit

    443.

  • Deposit

    COETZEE, C.B., MINERAL RESOURCES OF SOUTH AFRICA, GEOLOGICAL

  • Deposit

    SURVEY PUBLICATION, HANDBOOK 7, FIFTH EDITION, 1976,

  • Deposit

    P. 39-74, 233-240.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, QUARTER ENDING, JUNE 1977.

  • Deposit

    THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA, GEOLOGI-

  • Deposit

    CAL SURVEY PUBLICATION, 1959, FOURTH EDITION.

  • Deposit

    WATERMEYER, G.A. AND HOFFENBERG, S.N., WITWATERSRAND MINING

  • Deposit

    PRACTICE, THE TRANSVAAL CHAMBER OF MINES, GOLD PRODUCERS

  • Deposit

    COMMITTEE, 1932.

  • Deposit

    WESTERN DEEP LEVELS LTD. ANNUAL REPORTS,1974,1975,1976,1981.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 26-AUG-1994 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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