Moab Khotsong mine explained

Moab Khotsong mine
Coordinates:26.9792° S, 26.7815° E
State/Province:Gauteng
Country:South Africa
Owner:AngloGold Ashanti (1995 – 1 March 2018)
Harmony Gold (1 March 2018 – Present)
Products:Uranium, Gold
Opening Year:1995

The Moab Khotsong mine is a large mine located in the northern part of South Africa in North West some 180km (110miles) southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. Moab Khotsong represents one of the largest uranium reserves in South Africa having estimated reserves of 57.2e6t of ore grading 0.058% uranium.[1] [2]

During the years 1995 and 1996, Moab Khotsong recorded the worst safety statistics in the mining industry.[3]

History

Harmony Gold successfully acquired Moab Khotsong from AngloGold Ashanti Limited on 1 March 2018. The $300-million deal includes the Moab Khotsong mine, one of the newest South African deep-level mines, with life-of-mine grade forecast at 8.2g/t, taking the average Harmony underground grade to 5.7g/t.[4]

Initially, the mine was named only Moab, which is the name of the original farm on which it has been built and which was commonly believed to mean fertile ground. However, its association with the Biblical Moab prompted workers to request that it be twinned with Khotsong, Sotho for 'peaceful place', and this is now the commonly-used classification.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Uranium in South Africa. 2012. wise-uranium.org. 2013-07-16.
  2. Web site: Deep in a South African gold mine, scientists drill for the heart of an earthquake. 2017-05-31. Paul Voosen. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 2013-07-16.
  3. http://www.miningweekly.com/article/worlds-deepest-singlelift-mine-ever-2003-09-29 World's deepest single-lift mine ever
  4. https://www.harmony.co.za/what-we-do/operations/moab-khotsong Moab Khotsong