Watch: Far East Vertical Shaft demolished

The final site clearance and rehabilitation of the East Rand Property Mines (ERPM) far east shaft, situated in Sunward Park, is scheduled to take place from May until April 2022, following the closure of the mine.

As part of the demolition processes of the shaft, the shaft’s headgear was demolished on February 20 after years of being part of Boksburg’s history and landscape.

According to DRDGOLD spokesperson James Duncan, DRDGOLD Limited’s Ergo subsidiary received approval from the regulator (the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy), for the demolition and rehabilitation of the far east vertical shaft following presentation of a demolition and rehabilitation plan.

Duncan said the reason why the shaft was demolished was that it had reached the end of its economic life, nor it could not conclude its sale.

“It was of concern that it would become a theft and vandalism target, and thus potential safety risk that is why it decided to seek permission to demolish and rehabilitate. The company hopes that its rehabilitation of the site will lead to its redevelopment, in line with principles of sustainable land use,” said Duncan.

The spokesperson shared that the land belongs to the City of Ekurhuleni and it will be returned to them after the completion.

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“Ergo will register a servitude for the electrical substation and overhead power lines required to power its pump stations located due west of the shaft area. Regarding the rehabilitation process, there will be no topographical changes to the site,” he said.

Duncan said the excavations to remove foundations will be filled with waste rock on the site and levelled. The demolished foundations will be disposed of into the shaft and the shaft will be sealed with a concrete slab, to engineering specifications.

He further added that Ergo’s Mining Environmental manager Louis Kleynhans has engaged on the project with key interested and affected parties in the area, including ward representatives.

The project is continuing to roll out in the following stages:
* Demolition of steel structures (almost completed).
* Breaking up and demolition of concrete structures, scheduled for completion by end-May.
* Making safe and capping of the shaft (hole), scheduled to start mid-year.
* Final site clearance and rehabilitation, scheduled to start during May and scheduled for completion and regulatory clearance in April/May 2022.
* Return of the rehabilitated land to the owner, EMM.

The Advertiser sought comment from the metro regarding what the land will be used for.

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