The commitment to environmental excellence at Haile will set a standard for the industry. Because gold was discovered at Haile in 1827 and has had multiple waves of mining activity, there is very little land in the area that has not been disturbed at one time or another by placer miners, underground mining, chlorination processing or heap leaching; often repeatedly. The most recent mining cycle from the 1980s has been fully reclaimed but outside that footprint evidence of the old timers remain.
Romarco will institute possibly the most rigorous environmental program in mining. All but the last pit will be backfilled, contoured and revegetated. Backfill will be layered, chemically stabilized, structured according to regimented engineering standards and monitored. All high sulfide overburden will go on a plastic liner that site on low-permeability clay. Once those stockpiles are completed they will be sealed on the top and sides with a low-permeable clay and plastic then overlain with topsoil. The "burrito" of material will be protected from rain and stabilized. Even low sulfur overburden will be placed on clay and eventually revegetated.
While operating, any rain that falls in the pit or on high sulfide material will be collected and treated to ensure quality standards are met before released. Water used for processing will be cyanide neutralized before being sent to tailings and will be 100% recycled for the life of Haile. Even carbon stripping will be done consciously without the aid of cyanide. In fact, the entire facility will be voluntarily compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code.
Everything that touches cyanide will be double lined or double contained - even after neutralization. The tailings facility will be sized for a probable maximum precipitation (nearly 1.3 meters of rain in 24 hours) with adequate freeboard and a maximum credible earthquake.
Concurrent reclamation will be a standard practice and any existing disturbance will be 100% bonded. Haile will spend as much money on reclamation as mine equipment. Where possible wetlands and streams will be restored and whether restored or not, even temporarily used wetlands and streams will be mitigated through preservation or restoration of other wetlands near the mine. At the end of the mine life the site will be contoured, topsoil restored and revegetated. Engineered wetlands will be installed where appropriate to ensure long-term water quality.
Power at Haile will come from low carbon footprint sources, primarily existing hydropower and nuclear power.
Without question, Haile will set a new standard in mining. In some areas the South Carolina streams that run through the property will be restored to the best condition they have seen in nearly 200 years. Haile, the old site past processing and unreclaimed pits will become the showcase for mining done right - done right for its entire mine life and for centuries beyond.