Rössing Uranium Mine

Project Overview

The Rössing Uranium Mine is the longest running and one of the largest open pit uranium mines in the world and is located in the Namib Desert near the town of Arandis, which is 70 km from the coastal town of Swakopmund in the west of Namibia. The tailings storage facility (TSF) is considered to be one of the largest uranium residue facilities in the world and was planned to reach a maximum height of over 100 m and with a total surface area of 650 ha. The TSF is operated in large paddocks/cells and raised with tailings.

Project Role

Knight Piésold was appointed by Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium Ltd. as engineer to assist with engineering designs, stability analysis, and general TSF consultancy services. Services included:

• Review of documentation, including historical site plans, geological and geotechnical information, and stability assessments
• Review of monitored data and procedures
• Review of slope stability assessment and best practice
• Review of operations and compliance
• Review of dam break analysis
• Review of management responsibilities, inspection, and reporting structures
• Risk assessment

The project involved visual inspection of the TSF and surrounding water infrastructures, review of TSF documentation and monitored data, and meetings with the tailings and water management team to review roles and responsibilities.