To boost exploration, extraction and processing, SAR countries must embrace continuous innovation by adopting advanced mining technologies, digital tools, venture capital financing and IP protection. Strong IP rights will be crucial to advance and safeguard these innovations.2.5 Innovation promotion CASE STUDY 5 Hydraulic Dewatered Stacking in Chile52 Innovative tailings management solutions are helping address water scarcity and stability risks. One example is Anglo American’s Hydraulic Dewatered Stacking (HDS) technology, piloted in Chile. While HDS is proprietary, it illustrates how companies are rethinking legacy waste practices to enable safer, more sustainable mine closure and land use.Impact of hydraulic dewatered stacking –High levels of water recovery – in some instances, more than 80% of tailings can be recycled back to the mine. –Piloted at the Mogalakwena Platinum Mine in South Africa, which will be the first brownfield application.53 Challenge54 Tailings stability: Traditional storage facilities created for wet tailings can cause risks to surrounding communities and environments and even potentially lead to failures or mudslides. Impact on the environment: Tailings dam spills can contaminate soil and water with hazardous waste, harming ecosystems. Remediation is possible but often costly.55 Regulatory compliance: The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) mandates strict compliance, pushing mines to ensure long-term stability and safety of tailings facilities. Economic viability: Mining projects are generally capital-intensive. In the absence of financing, it is important for companies to innovate cost-effective solutions to ensure economic viability, particularly for managing tailings. Solution56 Innovative technology: Coarse particle recovery creates fines-free sand that forms a drainage network, enabling fast dewatering and consolidation. Enhanced stability: HDS improves tailings facility safety by reducing water content and eliminating surface ponds, lowering mudslide risk. Cost-effective implementation: HDS is a lower-cost alternative to other tailings technologies, requiring less capital investment. Progressive closure: Cell-based deposition supports phased closure and reclamation, with reduced long-term monitoring due to free-draining tailings. Impact Water conservation: HDS enables over 80% tailings water recovery, cutting demand for fresh water. Potential transferability: After success in Chile, HDS is now piloted at South Africa’s Mogalakwena mine, its first brownfield use, potentially leading to the first large-scale facility. Improved safety: HDS enhances tailings stability and reduces failure and mudslide risks. Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition: Finance for Southern Africa 22

Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition 2025