The catastrophic failure of the Jagersfontein tailings dam

The journal article provides a detailed sociohistorical analysis of the decisions and events leading up to the catastrophic failure of the Jagersfontein mine's tailings dam in South Africa's Free State on September 11, 2022. The failure released over 6 million cubic metres of liquid sludge, devastating nearby areas, causing deaths, and significant land damage. The study highlights the importance of understanding the mine's historical development, the challenges faced by decision-makers over 150 years, and how these decisions collectively increased human vulnerability to the disaster. The article includes a disaster timeline divided into four historical periods, with each period linked to relevant sources and literature, making it a unique timeline that integrates the social context through historical analysis.

Abstract based directly on original source.