Out Of The Blocks

Construction starts on Pan African’s R1.7bn Elikhulu tailings retreatment project

- Ilan Solomons

Government, trade unions and traditional leader have heaped praise on South African precious metals miner Pan African Resources for the development of its R1.7-billion Elikhulu tailings retreatment project, located at the company’s Evander gold mine, in Mpumalanga.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony earlier this month, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) director general Advocate Thabo Mokoena said that the project came at a critical juncture, as his department had recently faced the serious challenge of mass retrenchments, owing to the restructuring and mothballing of operations – a result of the current depressed economic climate.

Mokoena said that Pan African’s fortitude to persevere with the project and bring it to realisation despite these challenges was “highly praiseworthy” and stood as an example to the rest of the industry of what could be achieved.

Mpumalanga Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Eric Kholwane echoed the DMR’s sentiments, noting that mining was a critically important element of the Mpumalanga economy and that the province was committed to working with Pan African to ensure the success of the project.

The province would also focus on ensuring that the local community benefited “as much as possible” from the opportunities that would be created throughout the development of the project and during the project’s operating life.