Name of the Project
Mine Waste Solutions (MWS) – Kareerand extension project.

Location
Stilfontein/Orkney area, in the North West, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Gold mining specialist Harmony Gold Mining Company.

Project Description
MWS is a surface gold retreatment operation that reprocesses low-grade historical tailings from facilities in the Vaal River and Stilfontein areas. The retreated tailings residue is redeposited on the Kareerand tailings storage facility (TSF).

The Kareerand extension project has expanded the operating capacity of the TSF to support Harmony’s full development of the regional tailings resource and extend the operation’s life. Harmony’s current operating information states that MWS processes material from nine TSFs through four streams feeding four plants.

The expansion supports production of about 100 000 oz/y of gold. Harmony’s October 2024 project update stated that the broader MWS expansion included the addition of a fourth processing stream, increasing plant throughput capacity from 25-million tonnes to 28-million tonnes a year, with gold production forecast to average about 110 000 oz/y over the life of the operation.

Phase 1 expanded the Kareerand TSF and included additional return-water and stormwater-handling facilities, including pumpstations and a return-water pipeline. 

Phase 2 covered the outstanding infrastructure and services required to reticulate tailings for cyclone deposition across the full TSF area.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
A total of R2.3-billion was allocated to the Kareerand TSF extension project in the 2024/2025 financial year, with the bulk allocated to Phase 1. 

Planned Start/End Date
Harmony reported in its half year results presentation for the 2026 financial year, released in March 2026, that project had been completed.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Harmony Gold Mining Company, tel +27 11 411 2000 or email corporate@harmony.co.za.
Mine Waste Solutions, tel +27 18 478 4214.