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Buffelsfontein Mine

Producer in South Africa with commodities Gold, Uranium, Sulfur, Sulfuric Acid, Sulfur-Pyrite, PGE, Silver
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Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10078491
MRDS ID W026839
Record type Site
Current site name Buffelsfontein Mine

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: 26.8348, -26.86326 (WGS84)
Elevation 1356
Relative position 19 KILOMETERS EAST OF THE CITY OF KLERKSDORP
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Geographic areas

Country
South Africa

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Gold Primary
Uranium Primary
Sulfur, Sulfuric Acid Secondary
Sulfur-Pyrite Secondary
PGE Secondary
Silver Secondary

Comments on the commodity information

  • GOLD, URANIUM OXIDE, AND PYRITE - TO - SULFURIC ACID RECOVERIES DATA FROM START OF OPERATIONS IN 1957 . GOLD CONCENTRATIONS EXIST PREDOMINENTLY IN A THIN SEAM OF CARBON AT THE BASE OF THE VAAL REEF. URANIUM OCCURS ABOVE, WITHIN, AND GRADATIONALLY BELOW THE VAAL REEF. SMALL QUANTITIES PT AND AG RECOVERED BUT UNIMPORTANT IN SOUTH AFRICA TERMS. PT IS AN IMPURITY IN GOLD AND IS RECOVERED AT THE RAND REFINERY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE PURIFICATION PROCESS.

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Gold Ore
Pyrrhotite Ore

Alteration

  • (Local) None

Analytical data

Result SEE ENTRIES UNDER PRODUCTION AND RESERVES

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 193
USGS model code 29a
BC deposit profile C04
Deposit model name Quartz pebble conglomerate Au-U (BC name is Paleoplacer U-Au-PGE-Sn-Ti

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
    Rock unit name Ventersdorp System-Lava
    Rock description Ventersdorp System-Lava
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Metasedimentary Rock > Quartzite
    Rock unit name Transvaal System-Campbell Rand Dolomite;Witwatersrand System (Upper Division)-Quartzite, Shales, Grits And Conglomerates
    Rock description Transvaal System-Campbell Rand Dolomite;Witwatersrand System (Upper Division)-Quartzite, Shales, Grits And Conglomerates
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Shale
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Conglomerate

Nearby scientific data

(1) 26.8348, -26.86326
ListMap

Geologic structures

Type Description Terms
Regional Unique Continuity Of Gold-Bearing Horizons Over Extended Area, Though Well Marked By Folding, Faulting And (Locally) Erosion And Redeposition Of Overlying Conformable Sediments.
Local Uniformly - Gentle Dip, But With Local Folds And Faults. Overlying Lavas And Dolomites Are Massive.

Ore body information

  • General form TABULAR/BLANKET
    Dip 20 DEG. SE
    Thickness 2.03M
    Depth to bottom 914M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Gentle Uplift Of Continental Mass; Erosion; Peneplanation; Folding; Faulting; Volcancity; Dike Injection And Build-Up Of Younger Sediments

Economic information

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Development status Producer
Commodity type Both metallic and non-metallic
Deposit size Large
Significant No
Discovery year 1956
Discovery method Ore-Mineral In Place
Year of first production 1957

Mining district

District name Klerksdorp Area Of The Witwatersrand Goldfields

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Joint Venture Owner
    Owner Ownership Distribution:
  • Type Joint Venture Partner
    Owner General Mining And Finance Corp., Ltd. (Management Control)
  • Type Joint Venture Partner
    Owner West Rand Investment Trust Ltd
    Interest 18.2
  • Type Joint Venture Partner
    Owner Sentrust Beperk
    Interest 9.7
  • Type Operator
    Owner Buffelsfontein Gold Mining Co. Ltd.

Production statistics

  • Year 1976
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.295 Tr. Oz. Au/Met. Ton Of Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1977
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.213 Kg U3o8/Met. Ton Ore Treated
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Uranium Uranium 213g/mt
  • Year 1977
    Material U
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.267 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1978
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.202 Kg U3o8/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Uranium Uranium 202g/mt
  • Year 1978
    Material ORE U
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.258 Toz Au/Mt Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1980
    Material ORE U
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.202 Kg U308/Met Ton Ore Treated
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Uranium Uranium 202g/mt
  • Year 1980
    Material U
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.292 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1981
    Material U
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.188 Kg U308/Met Ton Ore Treated
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Uranium Uranium 188g/mt
  • Year 1982
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.220 Kg U308/Met Ton Ore Treated
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Uranium Uranium 220g/mt
  • Year 1982
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.253 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1983
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.276 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1986
    Period 1986
    Material ORE
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Cp_Grade: ^0.329 T02 Au/Met Ton Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1986
    Period 1986
    Material ORE
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Cp_Grade: ^0.329 Toz Au And 0.360 Kg U3o8/Met Ton Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
    Ore Uranium Uranium 360g/mt

Comments on the production information

  • ORE VOLUMES TREATED FOR U3O8 ARE INCLUDED IN (AND ARE PART OF) TOTAL ORE VOLUMES MILLED. ; WORKING COSTS INCREASED IN 1984 BY 10.2%

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1986
    Total resources 9,359,000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 10.233 g/mt Gold Major 1986

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA - 1986 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1984 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1985 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS-1986

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 914M

Comments on the workings information

  • MINING METHOD: CROSSCUTS FROM THE SHAFT TO ORE HORIZON (REEF) AT 150 - METER INTERVALS; DRIVES ALONG THE STRIKE AND WINZES DOWN-DIP COMPLETE DEVELOP; STOPPING AND BACKFILLING ("SCATTER MINING") WITH CRIB TIMBER SUPPORT AND PILLARS COMPRISE FINAL MINING PHASE. FAULTING DICTATES HIGH LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT (OFF-REEF TO ON-REEF). DILUTION OF HIGH GRADE ORE IS MAJOR PROBLEM. EST. MINE LIFE: 20 YEARS.

Comments on development

  • EXPAN$: 9.2. (1976) ; MILL.CAP: 3.1 MIL. MET. T/YR. ; ECON.YEAR: 1974 ; ECON.COM: A MEDIUM GRADE GOLD AND URANIUM PRODUCER WITH COSTS AT $90.11/TROY OUNCE OF GOLD RECOVERED (1976). RECOVERIES ARE FROM ORE HORIZON (REEF) ONLY (THE VAAL REEF). THE INOPERATIVE "C" REEF (IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE MINE) CONTAINS ERRATIC GOLD VALUES, BUT GREATER URANIUM QUALITIES THAN THE VAAL REEF.

Reference information

Links to other databases

Agency Database name Acronym Record ID Notes
USGS Mineral Resources Data System MRDS W026839

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    GENERAL MINING AND FINANCE CORPORATION, ANNUAL REPORT; 1975

  • Deposit

    MINERAL RESOURCES OF SOUTH - CENTRAL AFRICA; PELLETIER, R. A.; 1964

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL QUARTERLY REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD SHARES, VOL. 19 . NO. 1 ; MAY 1975

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 1977, DEVELOPMENT AND MILLING RESULTS: V. 288, P. 36.

  • Deposit

    PARK AND MACDIARMID, 1970, ORE DEPOSITS: FREEMAN AND CO., P. 441.

  • Deposit

    MERTIE, 1969, ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF PLATINUM METALS: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 630, P. 46.

  • Deposit

    BUFFELSFONTEIN GOLD MINING COMPANY, LIMITED, METALLURGICAL DEPARTMENT, 1963, REPORTS ON THE GOLD AND URANIUM PLANTS: BUFFELSFONTEIN GOLD MINING COMPANY, LIMITED, METALLURGICAL DEPARTMENT.

  • Deposit

    IVOR JONES, ROY AND CO., INC., 1975, SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD SHARES: JOHANNESBURG, IVOR JONES, ROY AND CO., INC.

  • Production

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1985 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS-1986 ; CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA - ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1981 ; CHAMBER OF MINES - ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS 1982 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1983 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1984 ; ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. JANUARY - DECEMBER 1979 ; ANALYSES OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA - 1980 ; ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. JANUARY - DECEMBER 1978 ; ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA, JANUARY-DECEMBER 1977

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit MAX THICKNESS REFERS TO THAT OF THE VAAL REEF. AVE. THICKNESS 1.00 METER. GOLD-BEARING CARBON SEAM AT BASE OF VAAL REEF: 0.20 METER IN THICKNESS.
Deposit THIS RECORD INCLUDES DATA FROM RECORD M046867 WHICH HAS BEEN DELETED FROM MRDS.
Deposit INFORMATION MERGED FROM RECORD NUMBER W028230 ; W028701 ; W028715 ; W030955 ; W032321 ; W032938 ; W033150 ; W033762 ; W044630 ; W055263

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-MAY-1977 Sweetwood, Charles W. Department of State
Updater 01-JUL-1987 Mccarter, Lorna D Department of State
Updater 01-OCT-1978 Sweetwood, Charles W. Department of State
Updater 01-APR-1980 Sweetwood, Charles W. Department of State
Updater 01-JUL-1981 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-AUG-1982 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-JUN-1984 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-JUL-1983 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-JUN-1985 Mccarter, Lorna D Department of State
Updater 01-MAR-1986 Mccarter, Lorna D Department of State
Updater 01-JUN-1987 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State