Extreme Weather And Its Impact On Infrastructure

By Rodney Weidemann

As climate change continues to impact industries, mines today are faced with a growing trend of extreme weather events. These disrupt open-pit and underground mining operations, cause production delays, and compromise workers’ safety, company bottom lines, and shareholder confidence.

According to Chris Campbell, CEO of Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is increasing, and our traditional approaches to infrastructure design and risk management must evolve accordingly.

“In particular, one area that requires urgent attention is the alignment of our infrastructure standards with the new climate realities. It is no longer sufficient to rely on outdated models or assumptions,” he says.

“We must actively review and update our engineering codes and site selection criteria. This is not only a matter of regulatory compliance, but a fundamental step in safeguarding operations and the communities that surround them.”

As climate change progresses, it is expected to alter rainfall patterns – how much rain falls, its intensity, its frequency and its seasonal distribution – while also intensifying heat, wind and evaporation, notes Michael Palmer, civil engineer and technical director at Jones & Wagener.

“Larger floods, reduced water security, and higher erosion potential can be expected. Conflict with communities may arise in water- stressed regions, where access to sufficient water at adequate quality is constrained. Further impacts could arise from supply chain disruptions due to heat, storms, and floods causing damage to infrastructure, both on- and off-mine,” he says.

“Rapid-onset floods pose the most acute risk, leaving very short response times. This places lives in danger, particularly in underground and open-pit workings. There is the added risk of damage to infrastructure such as haul roads, as well as power supply and communications networks. Heatwaves, lightning and windstorms also pose a threat to personnel and infrastructure.”

Design challenges

Jaco Viljoen, project director at TDS Projects Group, outlines how the recent flood damage at the Namibian Langer Heinrich mine – triggered by unseasonably heavy rainfall – highlights the importance of engineering that accounts for the impacts of extreme weather.

“Mining companies should be re-evaluating the purpose of existing infrastructure, to determine whether it meets current engineering standards and has the durability to withstand evolving weather patterns,” he suggests.

“This is particularly crucial during the rainy season, when large parts of South Africa experience prolonged bouts of heavy rainfall, intermittently followed by extreme heat.”

Viljoen adds that torrential rainstorms, which are becoming increasingly frequent, pose a significant risk: they can flood open-pit mines and compromise the structural integrity of underground tunnels. Such events, he says, often force operators to divert valuable capital and manpower to manage water accumulation and restore safe working conditions.

“In addition, scorching temperatures in desert and semi-desert regions of Sub-Saharan Africa drive up energy consumption, as mining operators work to cool underground environments – escalating operational costs and increasing the risk of heat-related health issues for workers.”

Palmer believes that there are specific approaches mines can take to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather conditions.

“When it comes to new, greenfields operations, these must be designed to industry best practice. It is imperative to consider climate change projections, but also to understand the uncertainties.

“Mines must also recognise the key vulnerabilities of the infrastructure/management components, and should consider a nature-based design approach where possible and practical – such as vegetated swales and geomorphic channels, to dissipate run-off energy and reduce sediment loads,” he says.

As for existing mines, that may have outdated infrastructure, Palmer suggests that these operations carry out a climate vulnerability audit, and identify and prioritise “weak points”, based on a risk assessment.

“It is vital to develop and implement a climate change resilience/remediation strategy, which considers affordability and practical implementation timelines. These mines should also review and update operating rules like emergency preparedness plans (EPPs), emergency response plans (ERPs) and trigger action response plans (TARPs),” he says.

Specialised engineering required

Viljoen warns that the involvement of specialised engineering service providers is no longer optional – it has become essential, in order to ensure that mining infrastructure can withstand the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather.

“Adaptive and targeted engineering strategies are essential. Pre-erection of major installations, in particular, is a game-changer. It significantly reduces construction, assembly, and rework time on-site, thereby narrowing the window for disruptions,” notes Viljoen.

“Additionally, fabricating and pre-erecting in a controlled environment allows engineering firms to ensure greater consistency in quality, and roll out solutions efficiently.”

The second part to this equation, he continues, is combining pre-erection with modular design solutions. This approach reduces construction time by breaking infrastructure into easy-to-transport and assemble segments, making construction faster and simpler for future expansion efforts.

“So, as weather conditions continue to change over time, we can add or replace certain components with parts better suited for their current circumstances,” he adds.

CESA’s Campbell notes that each mining operation faces unique challenges, and it is imperative that the best available climate data and modelling is used to inform decisions.

“In conclusion, adapting to climate change is not simply about protecting assets, it is about building resilient, sustainable operations that can thrive in a changing world. By embracing this challenge, the mining industry can play a pivotal role in shaping a more secure and sustainable future for all.”