Harmony has complex mining waste management requirements as we handle diverse waste streams while navigating the challenge of operating in remote locations. We leverage the waste management hierarchy including avoidance, recycling and circular economy principles to reduce waste sent to landfill, optimise resource use and entrench sustainable practices.
Governance and oversight
Our site operational environmental management systems include waste management guidelines, and we track and report on the quantities of materials we recycle and send to landfill.
Non-mineral waste management is guided by a group-wide standard. Specific host-country regulation and conditions are addressed through our site construction and operational environmental management plans.
Regional executives, supported by regional environment teams, are accountable for effective waste management. Site management teams are responsible for daily waste management activities.
Related policies
FY25 performance in South Africa
Rock mined
(000t)
43 465
Tonnes
treated (000t)
50 897
Waste rock
deposited (000t)
27 213
Slimes recycled
(000t)
37 095
Waste Rock
recycled (000t)
4 720
Mineral waste intensity (tonne/tonne treated)
1.53
Our strategy: Minimising waste impacts through circularity
Key waste streams include hazardous waste and waste rock. We direct hazardous waste streams, mainly hydrocarbons, to accredited repurposing companies or suitable landfills.
We also aim to minimise environmental harm, reduce health risks and create economic opportunities for local communities.
Implementing responsible waste rock dump management, reuse and recycling
Effective waste rock management reduces aesthetic and land use challenges, minimises water and air pollution while enabling the maximum recovery of ore, minerals and metals.
In South Africa, we use waste rock as plant grinding media and backfill material for shaft rehabilitation. Using waste rock, a plant grinding media reduces the need for non-renewable resources and converts waste rock into a useable product. We are exploring opportunities to work with local communities for processing waste rock dumps.
At Hidden Valley, we use non-acid forming (NAF) waste rock for TSF construction and drainage improvements. It is also used for waste rock dump rehabilitation and encapsulating potentially acid forming (PAF) waste rock to manage geotechnical and geochemical stability. In FY25, we implemented a revised waste rock management plan to address low-level exceedances of dissolved manganese detected under certain conditions from waste rock dump seepage. Monitoring has demonstrated promising results, with a reduction in exceedances recorded.
Repurposing and recycling non-mineral waste
We promote non-mineral waste repurposing and recycling, including reusing underground and above-ground equipment and infrastructure for operational purposes. Our waste management and salvage activities also provide economic opportunities for local suppliers and entrepreneurs.
In FY25:
Hazardous waste
to landfill
558t
Recycled
timber
4 238t
Recycled
steel
14 686t
Recycled
Plastic
507t
General waste intensity (tonne/ 000tonne treated)
0.59
Explore related Case studies
Further information
Additional performance-related discussions and data may be found in these publications.