Geita TSF, Tanzania
At 10 April 2024

Coordinates: Lat. -2.845327°, Long. 32.174305°
Guidance Note
Refer to our guidance note.
Description and Lifecycle Design
Geita is situated in Northern Tanzania 20km south of Lake Victoria and 5km west of the town of Geita.
The Geita TSF was commissioned in 2000. This design was based on the downstream method of construction with two lifts totalling 30m aimed at providing deposition capacity for 10 years at that time. The original design of the facility would have reached the end of its life early in 2010.
In 2008, as the life of mine continued the capacity of the Geita TSF was expanded by changing the design from downstream to upstream. The design incorporated a 30m increase in height, which was constructed in five phases of 6m each providing an additional 20 years of deposition capacity.
AngloGold Ashanti has an internal corporate tailings management team and has appointed an internal Responsible Tailings Facility Engineer (RTFE), an external Engineer of Record (EoR) and an Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB) at this facility to oversee and govern the operations, maintenance and surveillance (OMS) of the facility.
Geita TSF General Information
Facility Name | Geita TSF |
Period of Operation | 2000 – present |
Construction Method | 2000 – 2010: Downstream with laterite borrow material 2010 – Present: Upstream with waste rock in 6m lifts |
Deposition Method | 2000 – 2010: |
Target Annual Production Rate | 5.4Mtpa |
Current Tailings Volume / Tonnage | 112Mt |
Designed / Licensed Volume / Tonnage | 166Mt in 2030 |
Estimated End-of-life | 2035 |
Current Crest Elevation | 1235.4 mamsl when Lift 4 is complete |
Final designed/licensed crest elevation | 1241.4 mamsl |
Current Maximum Embankment Height | 58m when Lift 4 is complete |
Outer Wall Profile | 1V:3H (outer slope) |
Consequence Classification
GISTM Classification | Extreme |
Risk Assessment
AngloGold Ashanti’s comprehensive risk management plan aims to implement designs and controls in a way that risks are eliminated risks and where any risks remain, these are mitigated so that the residual risk is a As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
Risks are considered in the design stages with mitigation measures incorporated into the design features and operational procedures. Risks are also identified and mitigated through numerous layers of reviews and inspections with follow up actions and recommendations developed to mitigate identified risks. A formal stand-alone risk assessment separate to these processes has not yet been undertaken for the facility and is planned for 2025. The risk assessment will be conducted with a multi-disciplinary team and in collaboration with the Engineer of Record (EoR) in line with accepted best practices.
Impact Assessment
The impact of a potential flow failure has been assessed considering the impact to human health and life, the environment, social and cultural impacts, as well as the infrastructure and economic impacts. These potential impacts have been used to inform the TSF Classification and also the risk assessment consequence definition and the mitigation measures to be implemented.
Modelling of a potential failure indicates that the area northeast of the Geita TSF could be affected and therefore impact human settlements, farming and water resources. These impacts will be confirmed by the detailed assessments and Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) development.
Performance Reviews
AngloGold Ashanti has a comprehensive Tailings Review System which incorporates reviews from multiple levels and internal and external parties. All AngloGold Ashanti TSFs are subject to the following reviews:
- EoR inspections – Typically quarterly and annual performance reviews
- ITRB review – Annually
- AngloGold Ashanti corporate review – Annually
- Independent 3rd regulatory review –Annually
- Dam Safety Review (DSR) – Typically every five years
Reviews | Most Recent Review | Next Planned Review |
---|---|---|
EoR | Dec 2023 | Q1 2024 |
ITRB | May 2023 | June 2024 |
DSR | N/A | 2025 |
AngloGold Ashanti has adopted the following ranking system for independent reviews: Priority 1 actions are classified as a material finding.
Priority 1 – A dam safety issue that is considered immediately dangerous to life, health or the environment, or presents a significant risk of regulatory enforcement.
Priority 2 – If not corrected, a concern that could result in a dam safety issue leading to injury, health impact or discontinuity of operations.
Priority 3 – Single occurrence of a deficiency or non-conformance that alone would not be expected to result in dam safety issues, discontinuity of operations or regulatory intervention.
Priority 4 – A recommendation based on good practice, improvement or risk reduction.
Summary of Material Findings and Mitigation Measures:
Reference | Material Finding | Mitigation Measures to Meet ALARP |
---|---|---|
2022 Stability Report 2023 ITRB Report | Low safety factors at the saddle walls 1-4. | Deposition from the Saddle 1/2/3 was stopped in November 2022 and buttressing was started in February 2023 with completion expected in 2024. |
Environmental and Social
Environment and Social monitoring programmes form part of AngloGold Ashanti’s Health, Safety, Environment (ISO14001) and Social Communities (HSEC) management systems, which act to fulfill the environmental social management system requirements under the GISTM. These environment and social monitoring programmes are comprehensively reviewed, and mitigation measures implemented as and where required. Further information on of our environment and social monitoring programmes, and performance results can be found in AngloGold Ashanti’s Sustainability Reports.
Ground water conditions around all our TSFs are regularly monitored as there is potential for ground water seepage. Where groundwater impact plumes exist, their migration is modelled and managed as necessary to avoid interactions(s) with potential receptors.
No material findings were made in relation to the TSF in 2023.
An easily accessible and effective grievance mechanism has been implemented and will continue to operate so that any formal complaints can be submitted by stakeholders and resolved.
Emergency Response and Preparedness
The mine has developed an emergency management plan which identifies potential events and incidents, defines those personnel responsible for implementation of the response, and describes procedures for notification, communication, and escalation of the emergency response.
The emergency preparedness and response planning specific to modelled potential failure scenarios of the Geita TSF is under way and we are targeting end 2025 to have these formally developed.
Financial Capacity
AngloGold Ashanti confirms it has adequate financial capacity to cover the agreed share of the estimated costs of planned closure, early closure, reclamation and post-closure monitoring and maintenance of the Geita TSF and its appurtenant structures.
Guidance Note
This document provides the information required under Requirement 15.1.B of the GISTM.
This document should be read in conjunction with the information relating to AngloGold Ashanti’s tailings management practices that is available on the AngloGold Ashanti website, as well as the risk factors and other disclosures in AngloGold Ashanti’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2023 to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (the “Form 20-F”).
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