The Current Situation

There is a natural tendency for the sides of any excavation in the earth, such as the Kimberley Mine, to recede to a point where an angle of repose is achieved and many factors contribute to sidewall instability which can influence or dictate the extent and rate of recession. Although De Beers employs various monitoring systems in order to monitor ground movement around the Kimberley Mine, it is not possible to predict with accuracy the time frames within which parts of the edge of the pit of the Kimberley Big Hole may collapse.

Sustained rainfall such as that experienced in Kimberley between November 2007 and February 2008 affects the water table. The rise in the water table exerts pressure on the sidewalls and this can influence slippages.

For more geotechnical information in this regard see a summary of the geotechnical information pertaining to the stability of the sidewalls of the Kimberley Mine (Commonly refered to as The Big Hole) located in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa and the relevance thereof to the adjacent Bultfontein road. CLICK HERE

Notification to the local authority

De Beers has for many decades been drawing the attention of the responsible local authority (previously the Kimberley City Council and now known as the Sol Plaatje Municipality) to the fact that the perimeter of the Kimberley Mine will break back to a point where it will no longer be safe to make use of Bultfontein Road.

Given that it is not possible to predict with accuracy the time frames within which a collapse of the sidewalls of the Kimberley Mine may occur, De Beers has for many years urged the local authority to take steps to reroute traffic from Bultfontein Road. De Beers has no power in law to close the Road or to prevent members of the public from using it.

The Future of Bultfontein Road

For the reasons mentioned above, and given the current proximity of Bultfontein Road to the perimeter of the Kimberley Mine, the loss of the relevant section of Bultfontein Road is inevitable (although it is impossible to predict with accuracy the time frame within which this is likely to occur).

De Beers will continue to implement the measures that have been in place over many years to enable it to monitor the condition of the edges of the open pit of the Kimberley Mine. The measures currently in place include remote sensoring systems, dewatering of the sidewalls of the pit, physical inspections of the perimeter and regular consultations with independent technical experts.

De Beers has recently advised the local authority once again to divert all traffic from Bultfontein Road in the interest of public safety. De Beers also advises that the local authority should ensure that the relevant section of Bultfontein Road should be made inaccessible to pedestrian traffic as well.

27 February 2008

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