Abstract:
To avoid the manifestation of undue risks and ensure the optimization of resource
exploitation, owners of mines and practitioners of mine residue disposal must conduct
disposal practices in accordance with fundamental safety and environmental objectives and
principles as a set of performance criteria. Codes of practice recognise a number of minimum
requirements, one of which is management practices within the constraints of the law.
However, it has been noted that the current project management models for the development
of a new residue deposit do not provide a holistic approach to integrate the requirements of
the EIA legislation, mining regulations and others during the various project life cycle phases.
The research subsequently set out to establish a project management protocol that addresses
the short comings between the regulatory requirements and the project management models
employed when developing a new residue deposit taking cognisance of client requirements
and expectations during the various project life cycle phases. A theoretical model was
developed and then verified through a case study approach. Project stakeholders of two
separate cases in the South African mining sector were engaged to determine the practicality
of the model. Modifications to the model are proposed and further recommendations are made to improve the model for the mining sector.
