Tailings Storage Facility

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This is the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) for the Fekola Gold Mine, Centre Pit. Slurry from the cyanide destruction circuit is pumped from a process sampler to the tails thickener feed box where flocculant is added to the tails thickener to enhance the settling properties of the solids. Overflow from the tails thickener flows by gravity to the reclaim water pond. Tailings thickener underflow, at a slurry density of 60% solids, is pumped to the tailings pump box. Two tailings pumps, in series configuration, pump to the tailings storage facility (TSF) and discharge the thickened slurry via spigots around the circumference of the dam. Water from the surface of the TSF is recovered from the decant system and pumped directly to the reclaim water pond at the process plant. Underdrainage and seepage from around the TSF drainage system is pumped into the TSF for recovery by the decant return water pump. The tailings thickening circuit is serviced by one floor sump pump. Any spillage collected within this area will be directed to the tailings thickener feed box. Auxiliary equipment for the tailings thickening circuit includes:

• Tailings thickener electric rake drive.
• Process slurry sampler.

The TSF is designed to store a total of 62 Mt of tailings with a throughput of 5 Mtpa. Stage 1 is designed for a 16 month period to store 6.7 Mt of tailings to allow for flexibility for the Stage 2 construction to be carried out during the subsequent dry season. The TSF will comprise a valley storage formed by a single downstream multi-zoned earthfill embankment, lined with high density polyethylene (HDPE), comprising a total footprint area (including the basin area) of approximately 69 ha for the Stage 1 TSF, increasing to 200 ha for the final TSF.