By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Ministers David Mahlobo and Sello Seitlhlolo released the findings of the independent investigation into the collapse of the Jagersfontein mine dam in the Free State.
The Jagersfontein community suffered one of the worst disasters in its history when the mine’s tailings dam wall collapsed on 11 September 2022, unleashing a destructive flood across areas under the Kopanong Local Municipality.
The resulting spill claimed at least three human lives and damage estimated to 100 million.
The estimated more than 6,000m3 of tailings spread over a massive area and reached the Kalkfontein Dam and the Riet River. From the Kalkfontein Dam the moderately utilised Riet River flows for about 200km into the Vaal River just 35km upstream of the confluence between the Vaal and Orange Rivers.
Addressing the media, Mahlobo revealed the mine constructed two new structures in 2019 on top of an older dam wall originally built by De Beers during its operations at the mine. “To strengthen our case, we commissioned professionals who are registered engineers, both from Wits and the University of Pretoria, “Mahlobo said.
“They conducted detailed analyses that meet all the required standards.”
The engineers’ findings paint a disturbing picture of reckless operations, he added. The mine began raising the tailings dam without completing the final engineering designs.
Construction was carried out without the presence or oversight of registered supervisors. The new structure was built on a compromised base, weakening the foundation further.
The mine deposited fine waste material into the dam while simultaneously expanding operations and constructing access roads. These new roads ignored standard engineering norms and flood-line requirements, adding pressure to the foundation.
“Ultimately, the structural integrity was not strong. When inclement weather and flooding occurred, the dam simply could not withstand the pressure, and then it started to break, “said Mahlobo.
Following the disaster, the government issued strict operating conditions, including an instruction that the unsafe dam wall should no longer be used to dispose of waste.
The department of Water and Sanitation is preparing to take the matter to court to enforce compliance and protect the community.
Meanwhile, the department of Water and Sanitation has acknowledged the report released on Wednesday by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) into allegations of racial discrimination against Black people in areas around the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province.
“The DWS is studying the report and will provide a response in due course. However, it should be noted that the DWS has acted on some of the directives and there is an ongoing process to finalise the remaining ones,” the department said.
The department added that the process of addressing some of the directives is running in parallel with a multi-stakeholder steering committee led by Mahlobo.