PROPOSAL TO DISPOSE EXPIRED

SODIUM CARBONATE (SODA ASH)

AT THE TERANGA MINE
TAILINGS DAM

ORICA SABODALA

By
Seth .K. Brenya
Product and Process Implementation and Support Specialist-West Africa

REVIEWED BY:

Nishen Hariparsad
Product Manager-Africa
INTRODUCTION
Orica uses sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) as part of the approved raw materials for the
manufacture of Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion.
The sodium Carbonate is added to the process in the powder form with other minor
chemicals to achieve a specific/target pH range as specified by the process specification
documents.
Orica Sabodala operations has three (3) tons of expired Sodium Carbonate in 25kg
packages currently in store. Storing expired chemical on site is not the best practice as it is
a hazard exposing both personnel and process to a risk.

METHOD OF DISPOSAL (PROPOSED)

Expired Sodium Carbonate is to be disposed into the Teranga Gold Operations tailings dam
in the powder form.

Sodium Carbonate is an alkaline chemical which will support the general pH regime in a
gold mine tailings facility.
Primarily Tailings dams content is kept at preferably in the alkaline pH range since some of
the compositions for example cyanide will dissociate and release cyanide gas when the
media pH shifts to the acid range even in weak acid medium.
Since Soda Ash rather has an alkaline physicochemical property, it should rather help in
sustaining the stability of the tailing by aiding to maintain the tailing media in alkaline pH
range.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Soda Ash must be evenly dispose at locations within the tailings dam advised
by the Mine
2. Quantities of Soda Ash to be disposed at a time must be advised by the Mine

Orica| Product and Process Implementation and Support Document Printed: Monday, 3 September 2018 Page 2