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1
Joubert, Barend Daniel. "Small-scale gold mining in southern Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005615.
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The general characteristics of gold deposits are reviewed, and a classification of gold deposits based on mineability is proposed. Evaluation, mlnlng and beneficiation methods are briefly discussed. It is concluded that the most viable targets for small-scale companies comprise deposits that require the least pre-production time and expense. Great potential exists for the small-scale reclamation of gold from tailings dumps and abandoned mines in Southern Africa. There is also potential for developing new smallscale gold mines in the Archaean greenstone terranes of the Zimbabwean and Kaapvaal cratons.
2
Xingwana, Lumkwana. "Management perceptions regarding skills shortages in gold mines." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007959.
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The skills shortages in mining and mineral sector had existed for a decade and had a widespread effect on South Africa economy. It affects the level of economic productivity and reduces the country’s capacity to develop a knowledge society. This, in turn, affects the country’s functioning in the global economy. Despite the sector’s best efforts, the shortages continue to grow and threaten the delivery of projects and growth plans. Some researchers contend with the view that the persistence of skills shortages in mining and mineral sector is largely due to entrenched attitudes among both the industry and the community. They claim that employers have the means to change the educational profile of the subsectors by appointing recruits with higher levels of schooling. However, owing to the limited number of higher educated people living in the communities surrounding the mining operations and lack of interest in mining of people with higher levels of education, to name but few, employers are perceived to have a habit of employing people with little skills. The current study was aimed at investigating the impact of skills shortage on organisational performance, propensity to leave, competitive advantage and sustainability, from the management perceptive. The main objective of this study was to incorporate and embed previous research findings and theories into a comprehensive hypothetical model. A hypothetical model showed various factors that may influence skills shortage. Four independent variables (working environment, employment conditions, resources and education and training) were identified as variables that may influence skills shortage; and mediating variable (skills shortage) was also identified as a variable that have potential to affect dependent variables (organisational performance, propensity to leave, competitive advantage and sustainability) of gold mining sector. Furthermore, eight hypotheses were developed to test the relationship between independent, mediating and dependent variables. All these variables were clearly defined and operationalized with various items obtained from measuring instruments used in other similar studies. A purposive sample of 343 respondents was drawn from the population. A seven-point Likert scale and structured questionnaire were administered in person to the respondents and of which 300 were usable and subjected further to several statistical analyses. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument was evaluated using significant effect p< = 0.001 and Pearson’s correlation test (α = 0.05). Data gathered were fed to and analysed by STATISTICA (version 10) and factor analysis and regression analyses were the statistical procedures used to test the significance of the relationships between the various independent and dependent variables. Consequently, working environment, resources and education and training were three independent variables that were identified as having ability to predict propensity to leave, competitive advantage and sustainability. An attempt was made to establish whether various demographic variables have an influence on mediating and dependent variables through the introduction of gender and position in the organisation while conducting an Analysis of Variance and Multiple linear regressions, but they obtained negative values. The conclusion is that demographic variables do not have over mediating and depended variables. The findings of this study states that with conducive working environment, availability of resources, the high levels of education and training, the country could produce skills that would reduce propensity to leave, drive competitive advantage and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, create competitive advantages and boost employment sustainability.
3
Naidoo, Kumendrie. "Considerations for stope gully stability in gold and platinum mines in South Africa." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2001. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-11302005-123445/.
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Mather, Diarmid John. "An approach to analyzing gold supply from the South African gold mines." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002750.
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The gold mining fIrm in South Africa is viewed as a normal fIrm producing gold bearing ore but faced with a quality constraint (grade). Grade, however, is never uniformly distributed in a metalliferous deposit and because high grades are mined fIrst, the quality constraint becomes increasingly severe with cumulated production. The fIrm will continue to mine gold bearing ore until it reaches its mining limit where the marginal cost of recovering the gold is equal to the marginal revenue received from that gold and at that point the economic deposit becomes exhausted. Because the mining limit is determined by cost/technology and price, it is not fIxed and thus the point of economic exhaustion may change. When high grades are mined fIrst the relationship between the tonnage of gold ore and the grade describes the rate at which the grade is expected to fall with cumulated production. In this thesis, the grade for South African Witwatersrand gold producers is modelled to fall exponentially. The mining limit, determined by costs/technology and price, can be expressed in terms of grade. By predicting the decay in grade relative to the tonnage of gold ore and applying a mining limit, a life-time size of the economic deposit can be estimated. The remaining life of a producing gold mine can then be determined and the flow of gold predicted. An empirical treatment using the disk model of a gold deposit is undertaken for a gold mine, a goldfIeld and the total Witwatersrand gold deposit. A dynamic econometric analysis of expected mining costs and gold prices is not attempted; however certain examples are used to illustrate the applicability of the model and the influence of the South African gold mining tax formula on the life of the mine.
5
Wessels, Deon. "The transformation of the South African gold-mining corporate culture." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53687.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corporate cu~ure is the foundation of businesses today and in every way underties the way business is done. The discovery and subsequent mining of gold during the last century have shaped the gold-mining corporate cu~re; it gave birth to racial segregation and laid the foundation of the system in which the industry finds itse~ today. The purpose of this study is to uncover the deeper patterns of corporate cu~ure that drive visible behaviour and attitudes. Once the root metaphor or main undertying assumptions of the gold-mining corporate cutture have been determined, a process of multilevel, frame-breaking, radical transformation can be initiated. A 'paradigm interplay' approach, which describes cu~re as an explicit variable and an implicit root metaphor, was adopted. Within this frameworK the study aims to explore concepts and meanings of corporate cu~re in a hermeneutic fashion by uncovering the human, expressive, symbolic texture of life in a gold mine. The frameworK provided a way of thinking about organisations, not to present 1001s' or 'methods' for managing or transforming culture, but to think culturally and holistically about the process of transformation. An in-depth investigation into Schein's 'three levels of cu~re' model was necessary in order to derive at the core transformational aspect of the gold-mining corporate culture. An analysis of Schein's model indicated that behavioural characteristics are shaped and determined by undertying values, beliefs and attitudes, which are shared among members of the organisation. If not espoused, these in turn rest upon sets of undertying assumptions that are the innermost core of corporate cu~re. One such a se~ the nature of human relationships, had been identified as the main undertying theme behind the vested interests as well as ingrained paradigms that exist on both sides of a racially divided workforce. The historical background of the industry and cultural perceptions created a shared assumption set that shaped these deep-rooted, embedded mindsets, affecting human relationships significantly. The study made it clear that any transformation attempt could be possible only when one goes deeper than the stated values and norms to understand the undertying assumptions and the true nature of human relationships that drive the visible behaviour and attttudes. The central dimension of this study, the nature of human relationships, referred to the opposing concepts of individualism versus communalism. These opposing paradigms are manifested in the two main management approaches or corporate cultures that exist in South Africa. Many suggested that the acknowledgement and utilisation of the Afrocentric value system, Ubuntu, alongside a Westem individualistic corporate culture are imperative to improve relationships in general and promote humanism. This study proposed that the humane spirit of Ubuntu, a spirit of trus~ caring and respect for human dignity, should be 'married' with the Westem approach to management instead of Ubuntu being adopted as a single framework that may be perceived negatively by the current business community. Thinking culturally', the purpose phrase of this study, succeeded therefore in abandoning the eitheror kind of thinking in favour of a more holistic 'both-and' way of doing. A desired culture of trust, honesty, openness, integrity and non-
6
De, Klerk Ian Duncan. "The nature and origin of gold mineralization in the Tugela valley, Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005591.
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The project area is situated within the Tugela Valley, located in the Northern Marginal Zone of the Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province, and this work outlines the different styles of gold mineralization found in the Tugela Valley. Two different styles have been recognized and both have economic significance:- 1) Epigenetic shear zone-hosted gold occurs in late-stage relatively undeformed thin quartz veins confined to shear zones, and is present in both the greenschist facies Natal Thrust Belt and the amphibolite facies Natal Nappe Complex. However the vast majority of these occurrences are concentrated within the thrust front (i.e. the Natal Thrust Belt). The gold grades (up to 7 g/t) and the hydrothermal alteration assemblages associated with the epigenetic deposits have been documented. 2) An as yet unrecognized occurrence of syngenetic gold mineralization is found associated with the sediment-hosted exhalative massive, to semi-massive, sulphides of the iThuma prospect, located within the amphibolite facies Natal Nappe Complex. Here gold (up to 3 g/t) is concentrated together with the main sulphide are, as well as some gold enrichment (230ppb) in the hydrothermally altered footwall feeder pipe. It is proposed that the epigenetic mineralization was formed as a consequence of the northward directed abduction of the major thrust slices of the Natal Nappe Complex. This increased the permeability of the rocks and provided channelways for the focussing of fluids. Deposition took place at the thrust front where metamorphic hydrothermal fluids interacted with meteoric water.
7
Blamey, Nigel John Frederick. "The geology and evaluation of the "A"-reef at No.3 shaft, Western Holdings Mine, Welkom goldfield." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005569.
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The "A" -Reef occurs within the Aandenk Formation of the Central Rand Group, Witwatersrand Supergroup, in the Welkom Goldfield. It comprises the Witpan and Uitsig Reefs which are both oligomictic conglomerates, and are exploited for their gold content by Anglo American Corporation. The main Witpan channel complex is orientated in a NW-SE direction and occurs close to No.3 Shaft of Western Holdings Mine where it is currently being mined. The Witpan Reef varies in thickness from 7-220cm, with lateral facies changes controlling the thickness. Within the reef, gold is associated with degradation surfaces, carbonaceous material, increase in pebble sphericity, and channel edges. Two channel edges have yielded the best gold values on No.3 Shaft although the potential for further payable gold lies in the recognition of sieve conditions. The potential also exists for extensions of the "carbon"-bearing Uitsig channel currently being mined on President Steyn Mine. The palaeo-environment proposed for formation of the Witpan Reef is a braidplain that was partly reworked by a brief transgression. Ore evaluation using geostatistics was considered a valid technique as the dataset is sufficiently well structured. Semi-variograms in the channel and across-channel directions differ markedly. It was found that variograms of gold in cmg/t lacked sufficient structure for modelling, however, log semi-variogram modelling followed by simple log-kriging and back-transformation, proved to be the most successful method. Owing to the morphology and distribution of gold within the reef, a geologically based geostatistical valuation method is proposed. The potential for further exploration of "A" -Reef depends on a substantially higher gold price. In this event, exploration of Uitsig Reef to the southwest of the current mining area is recommended as well as a new exploration strategy for Witpan Reef.
8
Dwyer, Gordon Bransby. "The geology of the Welkom Goldfield with special reference to the "A", "B" and Beatrix Reefs." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005575.
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The first Witwatersrand gold deposits in the Orange Free State were discovered under younger cover rocks in the 1930's with the aid of drilling and geophysics. The Welkom gold deposits are found in the sedimentary rock sequences of the Central Rand Group, which represent unconformity bounded genetic packages. The structural configuration of the goldfield is one of a north to south trending synform that is split near it's axis by the De Bron and Homestead faults. The "B" Reef is a highly variable, erratically mineralised reef that lies on an unconformity at the base of the Spes Bona Formation. The "A" Reef Zone consists of several placers 1 including the "Reworked BPM" 1 the Witpan, the Uitsig, the Hanging Wall Grits and the Upper "A" Reef. The Beatrix Reef lies at the base of the Eldorado Formation on an unconformity surface overlying the Virginia Formation in the southern part of the Welkom Goldfield. The origin of gold in the Witwatersrand basin can be classified into the modified placer theory, the syngenetic theory and the epigenetic theory. From the distribution of basin edge unconformities it can be deduced that the Welkom fan depository was tectonically active on the western, southern and eastern margins during sedimentation. Palaeocurrent studies indicate that sediment was transported predominantly from the south and west. It is thought that the "B", "A" and Beatrix Reefs were all deposited in a braided stream environment. A multidisciplinary approach to ore evaluation of Witwatersrand deposits is considered to be the best method, where sedimentology, geostatistics and structural geology are used.
9
Gule, Nontobeko. "Factors contributing to unsuccessful rehabilitation: a case study investigating the rehabilitation practices in Opencast Coal Mines in the Mpumalanga Province, South Africa." Master's thesis, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33709.
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The coal mining industry has played a significant role in the development of the South African economy. Coal supplies about 70% of South Africa's primary energy and is likely to remain the country's major source of energy despite the increasing trends towards renewable energy. Even though the industry has significantly contributed to the development of the country, it has also caused significant impacts on the environment with concomitant socio-economic impacts. Historically, once a coal measure was exhausted, mining companies would cease production and abandon the mines without proper rehabilitation of the environmental degradation caused by their mining activities. As a result of this, the South African Government introduced mining and rehabilitation legislation to mitigate the environmental and associated socio-economic impacts of mining. Rehabilitation guidelines for opencast coal mines were developed to provide detailed guidance for achieving successful and sustainable rehabilitation, to mitigate pollution post-mining. Despite the more stringent legislative framework and the development of international standard rehabilitation guidelines, successful mine rehabilitation remains a challenge. This research project aims to develop a better qualitative understanding of the status, challenges, gaps and opportunities pertaining to current rehabilitation practices in the case of opencast coal mines in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, and in so doing, establish the contributing factors of unsuccessful rehabilitation. The dissertation draws on a comprehensive review of published literature and an analysis of semi-structured interviews with rehabilitation experts. The study found that the current rehabilitation practices in the Mpumalanga opencast mines are not to the standard required by the legislative framework nor prescribed by rehabilitation guidelines. As such, the current rehabilitation practices are not yielding successful and sustainable rehabilitation. According to the findings, the rehabilitation practices are hampered by physical and non-physical systemic challenges that thwart the achievement of successful rehabilitation. The study analysis shows that shortcomings in the application and enforcement of the legislative framework contributes to the legislation not achieving its intended objectives as well as the development of other physical and non-physical systemic challenges that hamper the achievement of successful rehabilitation.
10
Andersen, Lindsay Marguerite. "A relative moment tensor inversion technique applied to seismicity induced by mining." Thesis, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/20887.
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Three hybrid moment tensor inversion methods were developed for seismic sources
originating from a small source region. These techniques attempt to compensate for
various types of systematic error (or noise) that influence seismograms recorded in the
underground environment in order to achieve an accurate and robust measure of the
seismic moment tensor. The term 'hybrid' was used to distinguish between the
relative method proposed by Dahm (1995) and the methods developed in this thesis.
The hybrid methods were essentially weighting schemes designed to enhance the
accuracy of the computed moment tensors by decreasing the influence of any low
quality observations, to damp (or amplify) any signals that have been overestimated
(or underestimated) due to local site effects, and to correct for raypath focussing or
defocussing that results from inhomogeneities in the rockmass.
The weighting or correction applied to a particular observation was derived from the
residuals determined when observed data were compared with corresponding
theoretical data (for a particular geophone site, sensor orientation and wave phase) and
were calculated using a cluster of events rather than a single event. The first and
second weighting schemes were indirectly related to the mean and the median of the
residuals where the residuals were defined as the ratio of the theoretical to observed
data. In the third scheme, the residuals were defined as the difference between the
observed and theoretical data and the weights were based on the distance of a data
point (measured in standard deviations) from the mean residual. In each of the
weighting schemes, the correction was applied iteratively until the standard error of
the least-squares solution (normalised to the scalar seismic moment) was a minimum.
The schemes were non-linear because new weights were calculated for each iteration.
A number of stability tests using synthetic data were carried out to quantify the source
resolving capabilities of the hybrid methods under various extreme conditions. The
synthetic events were pure double-couple sources having identical fault-plane
orientations, and differing only in rake. This similarity in the mechanisms was chosen
because the waveforms of tightly grouped events recorded underground often show
high degrees of similarity. For each test, the results computed using the three hybrid
methods were compared with one another and with those computed using the single
event, absolute method and two relative methods (with and without a reference
mechanism). In the noise-free situation, it was found that the relative method without
reference mechanism showed the highest resolution of mechanisms, provided that the
coverage of the focal sphere was not too sparse (> 3 stations). The hybrid method
using a median correction was found to be the most robust of all the methods tested in
the most extreme case of poor coverage (2 stations) of the focal sphere.
When increasing levels of pseudo-random noise were applied to the data, the absolute
moment tensor inversion method, the hybrid method using a median correction, and
the hybrid method using a weighted mean correction all showed similar robustness
and stability in extreme configurations concerning network coverage of the focal
sphere and noise level. When increasing levels of systematic noise were added to the
data, the hybrid methods using a median correction and weighted mean correction
were found to exhibit similar robustness and stability in extreme configurations
concerning network coverage of the focal sphere and systematic noise. In all
situations investigated, these two hybrid methods outperformed the relative and
absolute methods.
The hybrid moment tensor inversion methods using a median and weighted mean
correction were applied to a cluster of 14 events, having remarkably similar
waveforms, recorded at Oryx Gold Mine. For comparative purposes, the absolute
method was also applied. The inputs to the inversion methods consisted of the spectral
plateaus of both P- and S-waves at frequencies below the comer frequency of the
time-integrated displacement traces. The polarities of dominant motion were used as
an additional constraint and were determined from cross-correlation of observed with
synthetic P- or S-waves. The solutions computed using the hybrid moment tensor
inversion using a median correction displayed a distinct improvement after the
iterative residual correction procedure was applied. The radiation patterns and faultplane
solutions showed a high degree of similarity, and are probably more accurate
reflections of reality than those computed using the absolute moment tensor inversion
methods. These observations are very encouraging and point towards the method's
potential for use as a standard processing tool for mine seismicity.
The implications of this work are a better understanding of the focal mechanisms of
seismic events induced by mining activities, ultimately leading to improved safety
underground.
11
Heiser, Jens Helmuth. "Business model innovation ensuring success for DRDGOLD in the declining gold mining industry." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97266.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: DRDGOLD is a mining company forming part of the declining South African gold industry. During the turn of the century, the opportunity to innovate the business model arose. Without proactive intent, DRDGOLD tapped into the opportunity and revised their business model with great success. The success is evident in the improvement of headline earnings from 2002 to 2012. To discuss the changes to the business model, the author conducted a literature review on business models and innovation. From the review, the author selected the Osterwalder Business Model Canvas as the most suitable framework to discuss the changes of the business model. The Osterwalder Business Model includes the business-centric approach and is thus favoured for this discussion. First, the business model was populated with the information to have a comprehensible business model, and secondly, the changes to the business model were identified. The information for the study was sourced from public company documentation, mainly annual reports, secondary sources like Datamonitor, and interviews with four members of the leadership team. The four interviewees were Niel Pretorius, chief executive officer (CEO), Kobus Dissel group financial manager, Charles Symons, chief operating officer (COO), and Craig Barnes, chief financial officer (CFO). The four members had a long-standing relationship with the company and were part of the change process that took place at the company. The period before the study made the business model innovation possible. Firstly, the long mining history around Johannesburg produced the mine dumps that formed the core resource of the operations. Secondly, the craze to buy anything that looks like gold during the end of the 1990s introduced DRDGOLD to the surface retreatment operations with the purchase of Crown. The environment of the operations started to change, not only the operating environment, but also the other stakeholders. The importance of the community grew, the dividend yield to the shareholder increased in importance, the engagement with the regulators changed to a proactive engagement, and the environment was managed for a long-term perspective. The risks and returns for DRDGOLD started to misalign. The risk of pursuing the underground operations further increased considerably and unintentionally drove the costs up. Within the context of South Africa, the returns of underground operations started to erode as unscheduled stoppages increased. These stoppages were caused by events outside the control of the company, for example power failures, seismic activities and labour unrest. DRDGOLD repositioned itself as a factory that has a high throughput in material on a 24/7-operation rooster. The yields are significantly lower than the underground operations, but the risk of the new setup is also reduced greatly. Seismic activity does not impact the operations anymore. The production time of the operations has increased with less unscheduled stoppages. DRDGOLD changed to have itself valued on the discounted cash flow (DCF) method. The company’s share price is now valued on the DCF method based on the operational revenues. This is contrary to the gold mining industry valuation of South African mines. These mines are mainly valued on the reserves statement multiplied by the commodity price. The share price of DRDGOLD is heavily leveraged on the spot price of gold and the exchange rate of the South African Rand (ZAR) to the United States Dollar (US$). Any movement in these two indicators will have a significant impact on the share price.
12
MEYER, FREDERICK JOHANNES. "THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT MATERIAL TO ASSIST FET PHASE ACCOUNTING EDUCATORS IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE." Thesis, Welkom Campus: Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/217.
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Thesis (Ph. D.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008This study primarily focuses on the factors that should be taken into account when developing Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) to be used by FET Accounting educators to improve the results of their learners. In order to accomplish this aim, literature from published books, textbooks, guidelines and syllabi from the Department of Education, speeches and articles on the internet, interviews and questionnaires were used in capturing data to establish the essence of Accounting and Accounting principles, to determine the educational changes regarding the curriculum that were made and the influence of these changes on the Accounting syllabi for the FET phase, to identify the factors that hamper the improvement of FET Accounting results in schools and to identify, describe and analyse a curriculum and LTSM. A triangulation methodology was employed in this study where qualitative data (interviews) and quantitative data (questionnaires) were captured. Through the interviews with the Learning Facilitators of Accounting and questionnaires completed by Accounting educators, it became clear that a lack of LTSM exist in Accounting. Accounting educators indicated that they are in dire need of LTSM for the FET phase to be able to improve the results of their Accounting learners in tests and examinations.
13
Xingwana, Lumkwana. "The impact of organisational culture on gold mining activities in the Free state." Thesis, Welkom Research Collection: CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, FREE STATE, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/216.
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Thesis (M. Comm.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007From the Stone Age, each nation or group of people has had a distrust of those different from themselves. This is evidenced in various ways, for example, social welfare given to local residents only, scornful names given to foreigners and other ethnic groups and rituals designed to keep themselves separate from others. These incidents of diversity resulted into an unplanned and emergent set of norms, values and beliefs that exert enormous influence on the way in which an organisation operates, how organisational structure is developed, the integration and adaptation of internal and external relationships, as well as the orientation of the underlying values of the organisation. The main aim of changing culture is to improve organisational performance. To achieve this aim, it requires an understanding of the underlying assumptions and values that determine what is important in an organisation as well as assessment of the impact of culture on operational efficiency. The impact of organisational culture is identified through the negative and positive outcomes of mining activities, and is illustrated by employee satisfaction, job commitment, organisational loyalty, turnover, absenteeism and productivity. The aim of this research study was to identify the characteristics of organisational culture and evaluate the impact of organisational culture on gold mining activities in the Free State. The methodology used in this study comprises of empirical as well as a literature study. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather information for the empirical study. The empirical study revealed that firstly, organisational culture is created partially by leaders, and that one of the most critical functions of leadership is the creation and the management of culture. Lastly, organisational culture emerges when employees think, believe and act according to the pressures and priorities of their environment. Unfortunately, employees do not set aside their cultural values and lifestyle preferences when they come to work. It is the responsibility of the management to create an environment that is conducive to a healthy working environment. This study established that the necessity to control the workforce productivity need not be accompanied by ruthless or aggressive exploitation of cultural management, but by reliance on employees’ capability to exercise judgement to cope effectively with environmental uncertainty. Rules, norms and strategies developed cannot “fit” every circumstance but encourage conformity rather than creativity, and compliance rather than commitment.
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Stott, Joan. "Preservation or exploitation? : a study of the development of the mining rights legislation on the Witwatersrand goldfields from 1886 to 2008." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002723.
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Elinor Ostrom (2005: 238) assumes that in understanding the make up and behaviour of institutional systems governing natural resources: “Resource users are explicitly thought of as rational egoists who plunder local resources so as to maximise their own short-term benefits. Government officials are implicitly depicted, on the other hand, as seeking, the more general public interest, having the relevant information at hand and the capability of designing optimal policies.” This thesis examines the validity of this assumption through an historical analysis of the deep-level gold mining industry of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. The main focus of the assessment is on the institutions of ownership – that is, the development of mining rights and title legislation between 1886 and 2008. The study looks at the legislations’ transformation and implementation from the perspective of the gold mining industry – made up of the mining finance houses and the Chamber of Mines of South Africa – and that of the state. The transformation of the mining industry’s institutional framework was both a choice by government as well as that of the firms in the mining industry. The theoretical framework is constructed from four areas of economic thought. These include: the neoclassical and Keynesian schools of macroeconomic thought; industrial organisation and its relevance to the relationship between firms and the market; institutional and new institutional economics; and finally property rights. The determinants of policy design and the impact of such design on firms and industry is examined. The development, implementation and use of the aforementioned legislation is examined from two perspectives, namely, that of preserver or exploiter. Throughout the history of this prominent South African industry, the motivation for action from the industry or government has oscillated between the two extremes of preserver or exploiter over the time period examined. The conclusion is drawn on an overall and broad focus of actions – with a strong focus on the most recent developments in mining legislation – post-1992.
15
Martin, W. "Recovery of impregnated gold from waste mine timber through biological degradation." Thesis, Cape Technikon, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2156.
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Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Technikon, 2000.The large quantities of wood chips produced at mines from damaged underground timber contain gold that cannot be completely recovered by cyanidation. A fungus that can degrade a portion of the wood matrix will allow the gold that was previously locked up, to come into contact with the cyanide solution during beneficiation, thereby improving recoveries. The fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces enzymes that use the organic compounds found in lignin as substrate. Consequently, the fungus is able to selectively break down lignin, which is one of the major components of wood. Chips sampled from Vaal Reef Mine contained between 2 and 5 mg/kg gold. The main source of gold in the chips was determined to be impregnated gold-bearing ore and discrete gold particles. Direct cyanidation resulted in around 60 per cent recovery prior to biological treatment. Despite relatively high weight losses caused to the chips as a result of treatment with Phanerochaete chrysosporium gold recovery only increased 10 per cent after 4 weeks treatment compared to direct recovery without treatment.
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Smith, Matthew John. ""Working in the grave" the development of a health and safety system on the Witwatersrand gold mines, 1900-1939." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002410.
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This thesis analyses the establishment of a health and safety system on the Witwatersrand gold mines in the period between the end of the South African War and the eve of World War Two. The period has been chosen, firstly, because the South African War had seriously disrupted production and the industry virtually had to start up again from scratch; secondly, because it was during this period that mine and state officials began to seriously investigate the reasons for the appalling mortality and morbidity rates on these mines; and, thirdly, because during this period some improvements did occur which were significant enough to enable the industry to warrant the lifting, in the latter part of the 1930s, of the ban on tropicals, enforced since 1913 as a result of their extremely high mortality rate. In the first thirty years of the twentieth century about 93 000 African miners died disease-related deaths and in the same period some 15000 African miners were killed in work-related deaths. In attempting to establish why so many African miners died, the thesis attempts to identify the diseases and accidents that caused these deaths and considers what attempts were made to bring mortality and morbidity rates down. Whilst the thesis is neither a history of gold mining in South Africa nor an economic history of South Africa in the period 1901 to 1939, it nevertheless, as detailed in the first chapter, places the health and safety system within the context of the wider political and economic forces that shaped the mining industry in this period. The need for a productive and efficient labour force, vital for the industry'S survival during a number of profitability crises in this period, forced the industry to reassess compound structures, nutrition and eventually the health of its work force. These issues of compounds, work and diet are discussed in chapters two, three and four. Appalling living and working conditions led to a high incidence of pulmonary diseases - TB, silicosis and pneumonia - which were the principal killers on the mines. Attempts to cure or prevent their occurrence are discussed in chapter five. Fear of disruptions to production ensured that the mining industry eventually also devoted considerable resources to accident prevention, a theme which is discussed in chapter six. The thesis concludes that the mining industry for much of this period was able to determine the pace of change; neither state officials nor African miners were able to significantly alter the tempo. In fact the industry was so successful that it was able to convince a number of government commissions in the 1940s that the migrant system had to stay, to ensure the wellbeing of the miner. This meant that despite considerable time, money and effort being spent on establishing a health and safety system on the gold mines, the mining industry was still of the opinion that the health of their workers was best served if they were sent home.
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McLeod, Ashley. "The contribution of leadership behaviour in creating a safety conscious organisational culture : a case study of Anglo American mining operations." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/973.
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Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the 20th century, many employees in the South African mining industry were involved in occupational accidents which either resulted in personal injury or had fatal consequences. Despite the introduction of numerous industrial safety programmes to prevent fatal incidents and minor injuries, the South African mining industry death toll remains consistently high, at approximately 200 employees per annum. The trend of employee injury and death continues unabated into the new millennium. This safety performance has been met with growing dissatisfaction in the ranks of government, worker unions, employees and business stakeholders. This dissatisfaction is directed at chief executives who are being blamed for the occupational accidents on their mines. There is now growing focus on the leadership of mining companies and how it contributes to shaping an organisational culture for improved safety performance. The researcher examines whether leadership is a key component in creating a safety conscious organisational culture, and uses literature studies and the Anglo American mining company as a practical case study to support the investigation. Anglo American, listed on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges is the largest mining company in South Africa and also one in which many fatal injuries have occurred; providing an abundance of safety information. The researcher reviews previous literature studies and explains the journey Anglo American undertook to improve its safety performance since listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1999. The concepts of organisational culture, safety culture, leadership and organisational performance, are discussed from a theoretical and practical perspective using literature studies. These are then examined with the ultimate view of understanding their practical impact on organisational safety as espoused in the literature. The literature provides a broad framework on which to assess Anglo American's safety journey from 1999 to the end of 2007. This journey details the safety programmes and efforts employed by Anglo American to eliminate fatalities and injuries and also highlights the impact of the organisation's leadership on the safety performance of the company. It is concluded that the contribution of leadership is pivotal to establishing a safety-conscious organisational culture and that specific behaviours from executives, senior managers, middle managers, supervisors and workers are needed to develop an organisations safety culture for improved safety performance.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die 20ste eeu was baie werkers in die Suid-Afrikaanse mynbedryf betrokke in beroepsverwante ongelukke wat tot persoonlike beserings of lewensverlies gelei het. Ten spyte van die instelling van veelvuldige beroeps-veiligheidsprogramme om noodlottige insidente en ander minder ernstige beserings te voorkom, bly die dodetal in die Suid-Afrikaanse mynbedryf konstant hoog, teen ongeveer 200 werkers per jaar. Hierdie tendens van dood en beserings onder werkers gaan ongetem voort tot in die nuwe millennium. Hierdie veiligheidsrekord word met toenemende ontevredenheid deur die regering, werkers-vakbonde, werkers en bedryfsinsethouers beskou. Hierdie ontevredenheid word gemik op uitvoerende bestuur, wie blameer word vir beroepsverwante ongelukke in hul myne. Daar word dus toenemend gefokus op die leierskap van mynmaatskappye en hoe dit bydra tot die skepping van 'n organisasiekultuur van verbeterde veiligheidsuitslae. Die navorser ondersoek die vraag of leierskap 'n kern komponent is in die daarstelling van 'n veiligheids-bewuste organisasiekultuur, en maak gebruik van literatuurstudies sowel as Anglo American mynmaatskappy as 'n praktiese gevallestudie om sy ondersoek te ondersteun. Anglo American is die grootste mynmaatskappy in Suid-Afrika en ook die een waar baie noodlottige ongelukke voorgekom het, en dus 'n groot bron van veiligheidsinligting kan voorsien. Die navorser hersien teoretiese literatuurstudies en verduidelik dan die optrede van Anglo American om sy veiligheidsrekords te verbeter sedert sy noteering op die Londonse Effektebeurs in 1999. Die konsep van organisasiekultuur, veiligheidskultuur, leierskap en organisasieprestasie, word bespreek vanuit 'n teoretiese en praktiese perspektief met behulp van literatuurstudies en hierdie word bestudeer met die uiteindelike doel om die praktiese impak daarvan in industrie te verstaan soos uiteengesit in die literatuur. Die literatuur voorsien 'n breë raamwerk waarteen Anglo American se veiligheidstog gemeet kan word vanaf 1999 tot einde 2007. Hierdie tog verskaf detail van hoe Anglo American veiligheidsprogramme gebruik het om noodlottigge ongelukke en beserings uit te skakel en beklemtoon ook die impak van die organisasie se leierskap op die veiligheidsrekord van die maatskappy. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die bydrae van leierskap kern is tot die daarstelling van 'n veiligheidsbewuste kultuur en dat spesifieke optredes van hoofbestuurders, seniorbestuurders, middelvlakbestuurders, opsieners en werkers nodig is om 'n veiligheidskultuur te bewerkstellig om veiligheid in maatskappye te verbeter.
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Rademeyer, Brian. "The influence of environmental impacts on tailings impoundment design." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2007. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-01292008-172436.
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Lusunzi, Rudzani. "Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of gold mine tailings for the potential of acid mine drainage in the Sabie - Pilgrims's Rest Goldfields." Diss., 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/1204.
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MESMEGDepartment of Mining and Environmental Geology
This study entails geochemical and mineralogical characterization of gold tailings of Nestor Mine and Glynn’s Lydenberg Mine of the Sabie-Pilgrim’s Rest goldfields. A total of 35 samples were collected and were analysed for chemical composition (XRF and ICP-MS), mineralogical composition (XRD). In addition, acid-base accounting (ABA) techniques had been conducted to predict the potential for acid mine drainage. Seepage from Nestor tailings dump and water samples from the adjacent Sabie River were also collected and analysed by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and immediate constituent (IC) -analytical techniques. The study revealed that Sabie-pilgrim’s rest goldfield is characterized by both acid generating and non-acid producing tailings, and this is attributed to variations in the mineralogy of source rocks. Gold occurred within the Black Reef Quartzite Formation in the Nestor Mine and within the Malmani Dolomite in the case of Glynn’s Lydenburg Mine. Mineralogy and bulk geochemical analyses performed in this study showed a clear variation in the chemistry of Nestor Mine and Glynn’s Lydenburg Mine tailings. Predominant oxides in Nestor mine tailings samples are SiO2 (ranging from 66.7-91.25 wt. %; followed by Fe2O3 and Al2O3 (in range of 0.82-15.63 wt. %; 3.21-12.50 wt. % respectively); TiO2 (0.18-10.18 wt. %) and CaO (0.005-3.2 wt. %). Also occurring in small amounts is CaO (0.005-3.2 wt. %), K2O (0.51-2.27 wt. %), MgO (0.005-1.46 wt. %), P2O5 (0.029-0.248), Cr2O3 (0.013-0.042 wt. %) and Na2O (0.005-0.05 wt. %). The samples also contain significant concentrations of As (137-1599 ppm), Cu (34-571 ppm), Cr (43-273 ppm), Pb (12-276 ppm), Ni (16-157 ppm), V (29-255 ppm), and Zn 7-485 ppm). In the Glynn’s Lydenburg Mine tailings SiO2 is also the most dominant oxide ranging between 47.95 and 65.89 w%; followed by Al2O3 (4.31 to 16.19 wt. %), Fe2O3 (8.48 to 11.70 wt %), CaO (2.18 to 7.10 wt. %), MgO (2.74 to 4.7 wt. %). Occurring in small amounts is K2O (1.12-1.70 wt. %), MnO (0.089-0.175 wt. %), P2O5 (0.058-0.144 wt. %) and Cr2O3 (0.015-0.027 wt. %). Arsenic (As), is also occurring in significant amounts (807-2502 ppm), followed by Cr (117-238 ppm), Cu (10-104 ppm), V (56-235 ppm), Ni (45-132 ppm), Pb (13-63 ppm) and Zn (90-240 ppm). Nestor Mine tailings associated with Black Reef Formation mineralization have net neutralizing potential (NPR) <2, hence more likely to generate acid; and their acid potential (AP) ranges 1.56 to 140.31 CaCO3/ton and neutralizing potential (NP) range from -57.75 to -0.3 CaCO3/ton. Glynn’s Lydenburg Mine tailings dump which is vi associated with dolomite mineralization, however, was not leaching acid. Based on acid-base accounting results, these tailings have more neutralizing potential (ranging between 57.6 and 207.88 CaCO3/ton) than acid potential (ranging between 7.5 and 72.1 CaCO3/ton); and their NPR>2, hence unlikely to produce acid. This is confirmed by paste pH which was in the ranges between 7.35 and 8.17. Tailings eroded from Nestor Mine tailings dump were also found to be characterized by high content of metals and oxides, namely, As, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn with SiO2, Fe2O3 and TiO2. The tailings were observed eroded into the Sabie River where AMD related precipitate (yellow boy) was also observed, indicating further oxidation downstream. Field observations, onsite analyses of water samples and laboratory results revealed that Nestor Mine tailings storage facility discharges acid mine drainage with considerable amounts of Al, As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and SO4 and very low pH exceeding the limit as per South African water quality standards. High concentrations of these metals have toxicity potential on plants, animals and humans. Upon exposure to oxygen and water, tailings from Nestor Mine are more likely to generate acid mine drainage that can cause detrimental effect to the environment and the surrounding communities. Potential pollutants are Fe, Mn, Al, As, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb. Tailings from Glynn’s Lydenberg showed no potential for acid mine drainage formation.
NRF
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Ntui, Charles Mboh-Arrey. "Hazard assessment and disaster preparedness towards sustainable development in Mpumalanga (South Africa) coal-mining areas." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8445.
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PhD (Environmental Management)Mining and mining-related activities remain the world’s most intensive, primary industrial activity undertaken with severe environmental impact. Coal mining falls within these primary undertakings, while coal burning for energy use further adds to environmental degradation. Coal burning is by far the least expensive and thus the most affordable means of energy supply to the South Africa low-income communities. It is likely that this status quo will continue indefinitely. The use of coal as an energy source in South African communities has been inherited with its resultant environmental (physical), social and economic implications. The physical implications are the actual hazards associated with coal during and after mining activities. “Physical hazards” include processes generating coal dust, coal ash and gaseous emissions, and hazards that manifest themselves from the existence of coal mining at a particular site, such as spontaneous combustion, surface instability and acid mine-water drainage. “Social hazards” are mostly the social and economic effects that are related to health. Social hazards associated with coal mining, coal processing and coal usage include dilution of cultural values, ethics, norms and the growth of informal sectors, for example, settlements and trade. Some of these hazards are immediate, while others are long-term and cumulative. Emphasis was placed on the cumulative effects of mining activities and the need to address issues relating to communities that live close to mining operations. This process of addressing community concerns is known as “creating a sustainable mining community”. South Africa hosted the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and is a signatory of the working plan of action known as the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. Therefore, one would expect to see that mining communities in South Africa are acting on and benefiting from this plan of action. The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation in promoting sustainable mining and sustainable communities through changes in practices, perceptions and community participation in decision making. The research, undertaken during February to June 2007, examines the role of stakeholders and local authorities in basic environmental decisions. Environmental decisions examined were the provision of education and information to the community, uplifting community welfare through corporate social investment and corporate social responsibility. The surrounding communities of eMalahleni (formerly Witbank) in the Mpumalanga (Highveld) coal-mining region – were identified as a suitable area for this case study. Social research tools, comprising multiple-choice and open-ended questions administered to 6 790 respondents (3 930 learners and 2 860 general adult population), 650 voluntary comments, six individual interviews, and a 20 member focus group discussion, were used. Photographic images and personal observation provided meaning to results by presenting the quantitative and qualitative data visually. A blended methodological approach was used to analyse the data using descriptive statistics and a t-test for variance. Tables, bar graphs and pie charts were the various representative techniques deployed during the analysis. Data were analysed comparing statistical input and responses of the learners and the general population. Results presented show that the studied community is aware of some hazards associated with coal from the mining process to indoor combustion. The community studied is aware of the need for pro-active measures to protect their community. Members of the community are not aware of company decisions affecting the community with regard to coal hazards. They are also unaware of the existence and application of environmental legislation. Awareness was not linked to education or information obtained from a reliable source, such as a mining company or a local authority. It was based on personal experience, longevity of dwelling in the community and observation of the health conditions of relatives and friends. Some voluntary comments from the respondents and photographic images are included to support the community’s outlook. The research concluded that there are more unidentified hazards in the community than were covered in the structured questionnaires. The responses received to the questionnaires exposed the mining industry as being dismissive when it came to applying the law. This evasive behaviour emanates from the laxity of the enforcement departments and responsible authorities. More needs to be done to attain the requirements of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation as agreed upon at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.
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Ralefeta, Willie Moyahabo. "Worker participation structures on a gold mine." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5711.
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M.Com.The objective of this study was to address problems pertaining to the effectiveness of hostel representative structures within the mining industry. As part of the study, it was thought pertinent to interview hostel representatives themselves, in order to establish areas in which improvement could be made. The actual approach was to determine the roles and responsibilities of the hostel representatives and gain suggestions from hostel representatives themselves on the causes of inefficiencies of hostel representative structures. In addition, hostel accommodation preferences were determined; by identifying major functions of the hostel representatives, problems reducing their effectiveness, hostel structures which are more effective, and the reasons of their effectiveness. Views of management and representative structures were also determined; this was done by identifying the degree of trust in both mine and hostel management to look after the interests of the hostel representatives. In addition, effectiveness of various hostel representative groupings was determined. Different forms of worker representative structures on the mine were identified and discussed. The theoretical model of forms of worker participation was discussed to further assist in conceptually clarifying the wide field of worker participation. The actual results reported from this study seem to indicate that: hostel representatives' major functions are; disciplinary, communication, domestic, legal, dispute resolution and hostel management deputising functions. Problems that reduce the effectiveness of the hostel representatives were hostel intruders and undisciplined residents, lack of maintenance in the hostel, lack of protective clothing, mine management undermining of the hostel representatives, hostel committee's failure to follow constitution, a lack of promotional opportunities, power struggle union and management structures. In addition, having to consult with other representative structures caused delays in case settlement. Lack of remuneration of the hostel representatives reduced the effectiveness of the hostel representatives. Role conflict between underground work and representative role was also a hindrance to the hostel representatives. Failure of the hostel representatives to attend meetings was also a cause which reduced the effectiveness of the hostel representatives. The Tribal Prefect is considered as more effective than the Block Stewards, the Administration Assistants and the Hostel Committee Members. The Administration Assistants are perceived as most effective in looking after the interests of hostel employees than other hostel representatives.
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"The optimal depletion of a non renewable resource : ban empirical study." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10261.
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M.Phil. (Mineral Economics)This work is an attempt to discover whether or not South Africa's gold reserves have been properly exploited - has the wealth that has been removed been used to the best advantage. It became apparent to the author whilst conducting feasibility studies on both projected and operating mines that scant attention is paid to the determination of an optimal time path of depletion for a mineral deposit by the planners. The main, if not sole, criterion is the maximising of returns on the capital invested. The thesis proposes a methodology to describe the actual depletion paths achieved by a selection of South African gold mines. The work of mineral economists, especially Harold Hotelling, is used to provide a theoretical base for the. proposals. The mines were selected to cover as wide a range of the exploitation cycle as possible from the planning stage to final abandonment.
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Boaduo, Adwoa Pokuaa. "Towards sustainable economic development in the gold mining areas of South Africa and Ghana." Thesis, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/25541.
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A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 2017In many mineral resource rich African countries, mining activity makes a significant contribution towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and economic growth. This stimulus gives the mining industry the potential to fuel growth and development. Although some mining areas have been able to experience positive economic growth, many have struggled to achieve and sustain economic development due to the inability to manage mineral wealth challenges. African mining regulatory bodies generally lack proper local planning, resulting in inadequate policy instruments to enable the sector to make a sustainable contribution towards economic welfare. This research investigates how mineral wealth can be used as a catalyst for sustainable economic development. The research presents the case studies of three mining areas with the aim of determining why the economic development of Johannesburg differs substantially from that of Tarkwa and Obuasi. The research gives a comparative analysis of the political economy and socio-economic trends that have transpired in the three areas over the years. It ends by making recommendations on how Tarkwa and Obuasi can better manage the challenges of mineral wealth, and work towards achieving sustainable economic development that is like or even better than that of Johannesburg
CK2018
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Clatworthy, Geoffrey Charles. "The main factors which affect productivity and costs on South African gold mines." Thesis, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/22825.
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A project report to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, In fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of ScienceA detailed analysis was performed on statistics obtained from twenty two gold mines in different mining districts, to determine the parameters which affect labour productivity and working costs, (Abbreviation abstract)
AC2017
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Botes, Weitz Jacobus. "A skills development facilitator at a gold mine: a South African's story." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/454.
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While as South Africans, we support the dream of an African Renaissance our developing country and economy has experienced a critical shortage of skills, which is clearly reflected in our matured gold mining industry. Against this background, I undertook a modernist qualitative study to (i) capture, describe, understand skills development on a marginal South African gold mine, and (ii) create a development framework for human development. Using symbolic interactionism as broad theoretical framework I designed a single case study, gathered material first hand through 22 unstructured in-depth interviews and other data sources, analysed the material by applying a blended strategy of grounded theory and analytical induction created with a black male skills development facilitator storyteller his life history. Exploring the fifteen sets of legislated transformational requirements, over forty practical opportunities emerged, including an indigenous mindset and cultural theme, UBUNTU. In addition to the range of recommendations, an UBUNTU driven skills development framework is suggested as catalyst for optimizing human resources development on our marginal gold mines. This broad framework could facilitate a learning culture where people could experience service delivery of legislation, implementation of existing policy, and effective skills development. The two-year study was generally written as a realist tale, which as I left the research scene represented a co-constructed story bordering an autoethnographical tale.Prof. Willem Schurink
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Applegate, John Daniel. "Rock mechanics aspects of sequential grid mining." Thesis, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/22127.
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A project report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering,
University, of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science in Engineering
Johannesburg, 1991As mining proceeds deeper on Elandsrand Gold Mine scattered mining will no longer be viable due to the excessive stress levels which would occur during mining of the final remnants between raises. Longwall mining with strike stabilizing pillars would eliminate this need for remnant mining. However, since the Ventersdorp contact Reef on Elandsrand has a relatively large number of faults and dykes and highly variable grade, longwall mining would result in a excessive amount of off-reef mining and mining of unpayable reef.
GR 2017
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Van, Heerden Daniel. "'n Alternatiewe berekeningsmetode van die betaallimiet vir goudertsreserwes." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11059.
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M.Com. (Business Management)South-Africa's market share in gold produced dropped from 80 percent in 1980 to about 34 percent currently. This is due to entrance of cheaper producers of gold on the world market. The USA is our main competitor with a market share of about 17 percent. The difference is that South-Africa's remaining reserves is deep below surface and the USA are using open pit techniques to mine cheaply. In order for South-Africa to stay competitive and win back the lost market share it will be necessary to utilise the current available ore resources to it's full potential. This will also create new jobs in a South-Africa that needs it desperately. The calculation of the pay limit is investigated and found to be adequate. The different types of pay limits and their usage was explained. It was found that the current method, of using the pay limit directly as a cutoff limit, was incorrect. The use of a proposed pay limit was suggested. The definition of the proposed pay limit is slightly different than the current pay limit changed in order to clarify the correct use of the pay limit. The inadequacies of the pay limit was recognised and explained. A new term in gold mining was formulated namely the optimal limit. The purpose of this cutoff limit is to determine the cutoff value at which the resultant grade will be such that the mine's profit will be maximised over the long term. The combined usage of the proposed pay limit and the optimal limit in order to manage the ore resource, was described. This method of ore resource management is easily understandable, easy to use and addresses the inadequacies of the current pay limit successfully.
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Seedat, Aayesha. "The effects of strikes in the South African gold mining industry on shareholder value." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/12849.
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Thesis (M.Com. (Accounting))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Accountancy, 2012.The recent spate of strikes in the mining sector in South Africa has created a perceived nervousness amongst shareholders. Within the mining sector in South Africa, gold mining is of significance historically and economically. This study aims to assess the impact of strikes on shareholder value in the gold mining industry during the period beginning January 2007 and December 2012, and uses the popular event study methodology developed by Ball and Brown (1968). The effect of the announcement and duration of the strike on the share price was tested. Significant negative cumulative abnormal returns were observed during the announcement of the strike. The impact of the announcement of protected strikes compared to unprotected strikes on the share price was compared. Although both types of strikes had a negative impact on shareholder value, an unprotected strike had less of an impact on shareholder value compared to a protected strike. This observation is of particular significance given the recent increase in unprotected strikes. Strikes with a duration of 15 days or longer resulted in smaller negative cumulative abnormal returns as opposed to strikes which lasted for less than 15 days.
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"A framework for a techno-economic due diligence on an alternative approach to mining gold in South Africa." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5553.
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M.B.A.The South African economy places great reliance on the gold mining sector, both for employment opportunities and revenue. Due to the increased price volatility of this precious metal in international markets, the economy has been placed under enormous pressure due to the loss of jobs and lower revenues generated, particularly from the country's marginal mines. Through discussions with representatives from the various facets of the mining industry, it has been noted that a large portion of the prospective and existing gold reserves are not being mined. This may be due to the high capital investment required to start-up such an operation and the resultant dividends are not appealing enough to attract the investment. Unrest amongst unionised labour has reduced productivity in the work force and this has further increased the cost of production, placing many South African gold mines in the "red". Historically, gold mines owned all of their own equipment and bore all of the risk. For all this investment, they took all of the profit, or loss from the operation, but this increased cost of capital and risk does not bring along an increased return on investment due to the volatility in both the gold price and the currency exchange rate. The aim of the research report is to establish a framework for conducting a technoeconomic due diligence in identifying a viable alternative to the traditional methods of mining gold in South Africa. The objectives of this dissertation are: To determine the viability of conducting an alternative approach to mining gold in South Africa; To determine if the proposed alternative approach would tolerate a lower gold selling price than the present methods and still remain profitable; To determine the barriers to entry and the pitfalls of mining gold in South Africa.
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Katz, Elaine N. "The white death: silicosis (miner's phthisis) on the Witwatersrand gold mines 1886-1910." Thesis, 1990. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/26127.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY.In its chronic form silicosis had always been been taken for granted as one of the occupational hazards of mining. But both during and shortly after the Anglo-Boer War it manifested itself in a new accelerated form amongst former Witwatersrand rock drillers. Despite the appointment in the Transvaal of a commission of enquiry in 1902 and the promulgation of dust precaution measures, by 1912 the prevalence of and mortality from the disease amongst the Witwatersrand miners had not diminished. This finding suggests two of the purposes of the study: first, the reasons for the continued prevalence of the disease; and second, the extent of the mortality from silicosis amongst the miners. Because of the apparently low prevalence of and mortality from the disease amongst African mineworkers, the disease was ironically nick-named the "white death". Therefore another aim of the study is to examine the validity of the medical claim that the short contracts of African migrant workers safeguarded them from contracting accelerated si licosis. As the subject is complex, the study uses a thematic approach. Chapters two to nine deal with significant themes: first, the growing medical knowledge concerning silicosis, the mining and medical precautions against the disease and the age-old disregard for the occupational illness in its chronic form; second, the industrialists* need to reduce working costs, the development of mass-production technologies and the resort by management to "speeding up"; and third, the miners' needs for job and wage security, the encroachment of African competitors in semi-skilled and skilled spheres of mining and the introduction and the extension of the colour bar. Chapter nine deals with underground health conditions. Chapter ten explores the awareness of the new form of the disease, accelerated silicosis, and the establishment in 1902 of the first Transvaal commission on silicosis. Chapter eleven discusses the failure to implement remedies. Finally, chapter twelve explores the prevalence of and mortality from silicosis and the impact of the disease on the workforce of the mines. In chapters ten, eleven and twelve a synthesis is offered of the themes and findings of the previous chapters. The project is based almost entirely on contemporary primary and published sources. Apart from silicosis, a unifying theme throughout the discrete sections is the perceptions of miners of their vocation in general, and of this occupational disease in particular. The study requires periodization. As silicosis is a slow-developing disease the starting point of the investigation is 1886, when gold was discovered on the Rand. The study ends in 1910 because the establishment of Union in 1910 and the legal award of compensation in 1911 heralded a new era in the history of silicosis on the South African gold mines. The following are the conclusions. First, almost an entire generation of overseas miners, most of whom remained migrants and whose skills pioneered the South African gold mining industry, died from silicosis. Second, for reasons of self-interest, some of which they shared with one another, both the Transvaal state and the Randlords did virtually nothing to remedy the occurrence of the disease. Both parties were culpable for the neglect of the health of the industry's workforce: using only perfunctory dust safeguards, management intensified production through the deployment of both modern technology and labour intensive practices, peculiar to the Witwatersrand; and most of the state's interventionist initiatives were the result of pressure from the British House of Commons. Third, the fear and anger of miners at being the victims of a preventable occupational disease, provided the catalyst for their militancy during the period. Fourth, the industry's power was partly responsible for causing both the press and medical profession to be silent about the problem until 1910. Finally, the mineowners both seized and promoted the unsubstantiated medical orthodoxy, namely that the short contracts of African mineworkers protected them from accelerated silicosis, as an important rationale for perpetuating the migrant labour system
Andrew Chakane 2018
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Mahlaule, Ntiyiso Ally. "Economic evaluation of Gold-Sulphides Mineralization within the North Leader Congleomate at N0:5 Shaft of Blyvoorvitzicht Gold Mine South Africa." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/409.
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Maya, Mafuza. "Application of hyper-spectral remote sensing to assess contamination associated with gold mining in the Witwatersrand Gold Basin, South Africa." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/16878.
Full textAbstract:
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, Johannesburg, August, 2014.Efflorescent minerals are a common feature of the soil surface in seasonal environments where evapotranspiration (ET) exceeds precipitation (P), and are formed by the evaporation of salt solutions from the soil during periods of drying. On the Highveld gold fields, ET exceeds rainfall by approximately two-and-a-half times during the dry season, and soils overlying acid mine drainage and along polluted stream banks can become covered by distinctively coloured mineral efflorescent crusts. Whereas some efflorescent minerals are relatively insoluble and present a negligible environmental hazard (for example, gypsum), others may be readily soluble and contain high concentrations of potentially toxic metals (for example, copiapite, jarosite and uranyl sulphate). During periods of rainfall, such salts are washed further afield and into surface water bodies and act as sources of episodic pollution. The presence of some efflorescent minerals can be detected from their characteristic reflectance signatures using remote-sensing (RS) of the electromagnetic spectrum. The species of efflorescent minerals present is a useful indication of the spatial extent of sub-surface contamination, and also of the chemical conditions of the substrate, in particular the concentration of total dissolved solids, pH and redox conditions. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the use of remote-sensing on indicator efflorescent minerals as a cost-effective aid in the spatial mapping of acid rock-drainage polluted soils and water-bodies. This study describes the range of efflorescent crusts identified on different land-use areas and soil classes in a Highveld gold-mining region. Crusts were first measured in-situ under natural sunlight using a portable analytical spectral radiometer (ASD) as well as using X-ray diffraction (XRD). They were then dissolved in deionized water and the resulting salt solutions allowed to evaporate prior to analysis under controlled lighting conditions. Spectra were post-processed and compared with iv geological spectral reference libraries. The salt solutions were also analyzed for metal and sulphate content and the results were used to establish evaporation models from which mineral precipitation could be predicted. Minerals identified in the visible near-infra red (VNIR) region included iron oxides (hematite and goethite), and the sulphate mineral jarosite. In the short wave infra-red (SWIR) region clay minerals of the smectite group were dominant. Gypsum and Al-Mn-Mg-Na sulphate salts were identified in the SWIR region as mixtures occurring with clay minerals. Minerals identified in the VNIR-SWIR region were all confirmed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Upon dissolution, geochemical modeling revealed that gypsum and jarosite are the most common minerals expected to precipitate. The precipitation of gypsum and jarosite indicates persistent acidic conditions after dissolution of mineral salts. Gypsum and jarosite were also accurately identified by hyper-spectral spectroscopy and confirmed by XRD and geochemical modeling. Agreement between spectral interpreted minerals and geochemically precipitated mineral phases demonstrated the ability of hyper-spectral data in detecting efflorescence minerals on the soil surface. Using partial least squares regression (PLSR) combined with bootstrapping, reflectance spectrum was significantly correlated with geochemical variables.
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Rupprecht, Steven Michael. "Best practice for personnel, material and rock transportation in ultra deep level gold mines." Thesis, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4217.
Full textAbstract:
Ultra deep mining presents many challenges to the mining engineer, one of which is the logistics to support mining operations quickly and efficiently. Typically, Witwatersrand gold mines operate at depths in excess of 2000 m with stoping taking place to 3500 m and investigations underway to mine to a depth of 5000 m. As mining progresses deeper and further from the shaft, the role of logistics becomes increasingly important if production targets are to be achieved. Access to the workings is often via sub vertical and even tertiary subvertical shaft systems with working faces as far as five kilometers from the shaft. It is inevitable therefore, that distance will negatively impact the working time available at the stope face, material transportation and distribution, as well as the removal of broken ore. Possible solutions to these logistical problems may be found in the use of different transportation systems or by applying sound design and operational principles to transportation systems, both in the horizontal and instope areas. This thesis investigates the challenges of logistics for ultra deep level gold mining in the Witwaterstrand basin for mining layouts planning to mine between 3000 m and 5000 m underground with typical horizontal distances of over 3000 m. The transportation needs analysis recognised that vertical transportation is a wellmanaged and organised system and is mainly the same for both shallow and deep level operations. As a result of this, the thesis only focuses on the logistical issues of the horizontal and in-stope processes. The literature review indicates that the majority of work previously conducted on transportation focused around the area of horizontal transportation with limited inputs to in-stope transportation systems. The review concludes that the traditional locomotive transportation system is the most applicable mode of horizontal transportation. Thus, special emphasis is given to trackbound transportation. An integrated approach is taken towards mine transportation advocating that underground logistics be considered as equally important as any other discipline, Le. rock engineering, ventilation, etc. In addition, the transportation process should consider each area equally important. All to often, the transportation of rock is considered of paramount importance over the transportation of personnel and material. Thus, the planning any transportation system should incorporate personnel, material and rock. To enable this, scheduling, communication and control are important with special attention required for transfer points in the transportation system. As each site has its own particular requirement, thus the final transportation systems must be drawn up based on the specific requirements of each mine. A guideline is proposed for the design of ultra deep level underground transport systems for personnel, material and rock transportation. Thus, providing mining engineers with sufficient information and data to select an appropriate transportation system to meet specific mine requirements. The thesis highlights areas requiring consideration by mine engineers when designing a transportation system from shaft to the working face.Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.
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Ferreira, Ricardo Isidro Loureiro. "Quantitative aspects of mining induced seismicity in a part of the Welkom Goldfield." Thesis, 1997. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/24502.
Full textAbstract:
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Scieuce in Geophysics .Rockbursts continue to be one of the more high profile and problematic worker hazards in the South African gold mining industry. Recent advances in the technology of seismic monitoring systems and seismic data analysis and interpretation methods hold considerable promise towards improving the success rate of rockburst control measures. This study tests different methods for the evaluation of the response of geological structures to mining induced stress changes. A small part of Western Holdings Gold Mine in the Welkom goldfield -- the Postma Area -- offers a challenge because of its geological complexity, accessibility and high incidence of seismicity. The sensitivity of the local network to ground motions in this area of interest and the expected spatial location accuracy is established and deemed adequate for a detailed investigation of seismic activity. The local mining geometry, geology and methods of mining are discussed. The fractured state of the rock mass observed in situ, close to the stope faces, is in agreement with the results of numerical elastic modelling and the high stresses inferred seismically. Almost immediately after the incidence of a large event (ML 3.7) which occurred close to one end of a dyke, an increased rate of seismic activity became apparent at another part of the same dyke, some 250 m to the east. A change in the state of seismic stress, before and after the large event, points to a transfer of stress along this geological discontinuity. A quantitative analysis of recorded seismicity indicates spatial and temporal variations in the state of stress and strain throughout the rock mass surrounding Mining excavations. The elastic stress modelling performed routinely by rock mechanics engineers in the deep gold mines is, by itself, incapable of catering for the rheological nature of the rock mass, but taken together with independent seismic evaluations of a fault orthogonal to a highly stressed dyke it is shown that both methods are mutually complementary and can enhance the assessment of the seismic instability of the structures. A back-analysis is conducted on ten large seismic events (ML> 2.5) to identify precursors. These show that the timely recognition of high gradients in physical seismic parameters pertaining to strain rate and stress in time and space immediately prior to major seismic events is a real and practical possibility, as such constituting an early warning mechanism. The fore-warning of a large event is best served by an analysis of seismicity over the short term (weeks or days) through time-history variations and/or contouring of various seismic parameters, although long-term seismic responses (months or weeks) characterise specific patterns and trends which are useful in the forecast.
AC2018
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Mangondo, Kismore. "The economics of gold mining taxation." Diss., 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2265.
Full textAbstract:
Currently the gold mining industry is taxed differently to other industries. It is taxed on a two-tier system. The nature of the gold mining tax formula encourages the mining of marginal gold ores. Firms that are involved in the mining of gold are subjected to a "tax tunnel", which is a tax free revenue portion. This is against the equity principle of taxation because it separates companies on the basis of what they produce and not on the basis of income generated. The South African government is in the process of implementing a revenue-based royalty system. The majority of firms in the gold mining industry feel that for the benefit of economic growth the government must consider implementing a profit-based royalty system. This study analyses the gold mining tax formula in comparison to the flat rate tax. It also analyses the reasons for the differential treatment of the gold mining industry.Economics
M.Comm.
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Voordewind, H. "Excellence and client focus through personnel restructuring of a South African gold plant." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7707.
Full textAbstract:
M.Comm.The South African gold mining industry has in the last decade increasingly come under pressure. The radical drop in the dollar price of gold, the lowest it has been in 16 years, has depressed revenues to the point where drastic action is needed. Furthermore, costs have been escalating. Where the South African Industry was the international leader in low cost production ten years ago, it has now become the most expensive. The following statement by the Chamber of Mines President, Bobby Godsell (1998: Godsell) , underlines the problem: "The gold mining industry world-wide is in a state of crisis, with the price of its product at a 16-year low. Few industries would not be in crisis if they were receiving 1982 prices for their product. In South Africa, two other features contribute to an even more acute crisis. Over the last decade South Africa has moved from being the lowest cost major gold producer to being the highest. Secondly, many South African gold companies are facing physical depletion of their ore reserves. Many companies have now been in operation for more than half a century. Eventually every mine must come to the end of its mineable reserves. Members of the Chamber are deeply committed to meeting the challenges of low prices, high costs and one depletion constructively and effectively. To this end the Chamber proposed a productivity-linked wage agreement last year. Since that agreement we have seen a further $30-drop in the gold price, with a third of Chamber member gold mines making losses, aggregating about R12-million a week. The Chamber shares the National Union of Mineworkers' concerns about job losses. Retrenchments are the consequences of the industry's problems - not their causes. Without addressing the causes, a moratorium on retrenchments will, in our view,achieve nothing, and possibly create expectations which would not be fulfilled. There is only one way to reduce job losses and this is to find ways to return companies to profitability and to make them cost-competitive with producers of gold elsewhere in the world. Much as it understands the National Union of Mineworkers' anger, the industry will not find a way forward through marches, protests or strikes. The combined wisdom, and then the combined effort of management, labour and government will be required to find a way forward for the South African gold industry."
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Malan, Joël D. "The impact of the gold mining industry on the water quality of the Kromdraai catchment." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11220.
Full textAbstract:
M.Sc. (Geography)One of the main objectives of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) is the protection of natural resources (water resources) against pollution and misuse. These resources must be protected for the sustainable use by future and present generations. The study area consisted of the Kromdraai Catchment which included the Upper Wonderfonteinspruit, Lower Wonderfonteinspruit, Loopspruit and the Mooi River. This area is known for the amount of gold mining activities which may have a negative influence on the environment and especially on water. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the gold mining industry may have on the water quality of the Kromdraai Catchment. Huge volumes of water quality data were collected from certain major monitoring stations throughout the Kromdraai catchment. A good indicator of pollution in a water sample is the electrical conductivity (Ee) of the sample. EC values were used to determine the pollution in each of the water samples because it saves time and costs. Pollution trends were established and conclusions were drawn to determine the impact of the gold mines on the water quality. A clear impact of a tailings dam on the water quality of the Turffontein Oog was established by the sharp increase in the EC values since the Doornfontein Gold Mine started depositing huge volumes of slime on the no. 3 tailing dam. The EC values of the Turffontein Oog have started to decline when the depositing of the slime was ceased. The conclusion of the study is that the gold mining industry has a definite negative impact on the water quality of the water resources in the Kromdraai catchment. The only effective way to mitigate and, manage these negative impacts, is through integrated environmental management. The sharing of data by all interested and affected parties is of critical importance, since most neighbouring goldmines are directly impacting on each other through the pumping and discharging of huge volumes of mine water. Catchment forums were established for the integrated environmental management of the Kromdraai catchment by all interested and affected parties. These forums have become important bodies representing stakeholders in the establishment of catchment management authority (CMA) that Will be established in the Upper Vaal Water Management Area.
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Mula, Amina Bibi. "The impact of employment equity legislation on employee engagement within generation Y." Diss., 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/43993.
Full textAbstract:
This research focuses on three elements i.e. employment equity, employee engagement
and generation theory and specifically where these elements intersect. The literature found
that there were different perceptions of employment equity legislation. In addition, the
literature found generational differences with respect to some elements of employee
engagement. Limited empirical evidence was found on whether employment equity
legislation had an impact on employee engagement. Consequently, three research
questions were drawn from the literature reviewed.
The research is a quantitative study based on a sample drawn from South African
individuals who have completed grade 12 and are currently employed or have an
employment history. The sample included employees of a financial services company
based in Gauteng and GIBS MBA students.
The results showed that there were differing perceptions of employment equity legislation
and that the majority of respondents perceived the legislation to be affirmative action.
There were no differences in the perception of employment equity legislation between
generations. Additional findings were that the perception of employment equity legislation
did not enhance employee engagement neither did the perception of the organisations
implementation of employment equity legislation enhance employee engagement. Limited
generational differences were found in terms of these findings.Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014.
zkgibs2015
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
MBA
Unrestricted
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Landman, G. V. R. "Strategic implication of a segmentation and positioning model for the South African gold narrow reef mining market." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6076.
Full textAbstract:
M.Comm.Many variables exist that influence buyer behaviour in the narrow reef gold mining market. Since some variables are real but subjective in nature, such as the opinion and charisma of mine managers or influential individuals, it is difficult to quantify and analyse them. The question is ? Which variables, 8 quantifiable or not, are more dominant in shaping buyer behaviour and how should they be prioritised? What is needed is a logical segmentation model which reflects true buyer behaviour in order to shape future strategies in AEL so that the overall company objectives can be met. Each segment should then be analysed and considered regarding attractiveness in satisfying needs and the ability to add value both to the customer and to AEL. It is also required to target market segments and develop a marketing mix for them so that AEL is correctly positioned to retain the markets it choose to compete in. The problem is the failure to identify market areas of similar response which are relatively stable and can be used to select areas where maximum value can be added to the customer and to the company and can be used to shape and define future direction. The following objectives have been set for this study:The establishment of a market segmentation model which will identify and explain the basis of similarities and differences in buyer behaviour groups which is sufficiently large and stable in order to focus future strategies. - The interpretation of the segmentation model in the light of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the company in order to target markets best suited to the potential of the company. - Development of strategies and positioning in the target markets to strengthen the chance of success.
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Rahden, Herbert Valentin Richard von. "A detailed mineralogical investigation of the Ventersdorp contact reef at Venterspost and Libanon gold mines, West Rand with special reference to the mode of mineralization of this horizon." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/18246.
Full text
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Ghoussias, Konstandinos. "A pre-feasibility study of the Kloof Eastern Boundary Area project, Kloof Gold Mine." Thesis, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/19350.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis ((M.Sc.) Engin))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, School of Mining Engineering, 2003.The ore reserves of the Kloof Sub Vertical Shaft operations are coming to an end and as such, the Eastern Boundary Area mining operations, which will extract the Ventersdorp Contact Reef ("VCR"), must be commissioned to replace the diminishing reserves. Although feasibility studies have been carried out on the eastern portion of the Kloof Gold Mine lease area, none have been undertaken to investigate the potential benefits of including the new mineral rights recently acquired from JCI. This project report is a prefeasibility study into the potential value to Kloof of accessing and extracting the resources of the Eastern Boundary Area. This project report shows, using DCF analysis, that the Eastern Boundary Area has potential to economically generate the additional reserves that will be required to supplement Kloof s diminishing Three Shaft reserves. An NPV and IRR are calculated for the project, the results of which support the commissioning of further investigative work in order to obtain a better understanding of the orebody and to generate results that are more accurate. Despite its popularity, traditional DCF analysis has fundamental shortcomings, as do the commonly associated measures of NPV and IRR. This project report identifies and reviews these shortfalls and comments on methods to overcome these as far as practically possible.
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Tunce, Loyiso. "The dynamics of mining towns: the case of Khutsong township, Carletonville." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/22970.
Full textAbstract:
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Town and Regional Planning at the school of architecture and planning to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016Mining and the mining experience is one that has been written about extensively in academia. The history of mining in South Africa has not only shaped the physical landscape of the country but has shaped peoples understanding of the different spaces. The changing dynamics of mining, especially gold mining has played a role on the different experiences in contemporary South Africa. The decline in employment and production in the sector has meant that people in these gold mining towns have had to adapt to the changing times. The concept of resilience allows the research to view spaces such as that of Khutsong to see how people in such places are able to be resilient and the factors impacting on their resilience.
MT2017
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Sutton, Malcolm William. "Use of remote sensing and GIS in a risk assessment of gold and uranium mine residue deposits and identification of vulnerable land use." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/12692.
Full textAbstract:
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science Johannesburg, November 2012.Acid rock drainage (ARD) and dust are potential consequences of gold and uranium mine residue deposits (MRDs) on the Witwatersrand basin. Urbanisation has taken place around mines and, with the curtailing of mining activities and clearing of land previously covered by MRDs, there is pressure to use this land for residential, industrial and agricultural purposes. However, mining companies historically were not required to provide pollution control measures and there is evidence for contamination of land and water. Thus, there is a need to prioritise contamination sources for mitigation and to understand the extent of contamination and potential risks associated with different categories of land-use on mining land. The aim of my study was to conduct a first-order risk assessment to aid in identifying vulnerable land use in the vicinity of gold and uranium mining, and prioritising MRDs, including footprints, for mitigation. To achieve this I constructed a Geographical Information System (GIS) using publicly available spatial data, and then tested the usefulness of historical aerial photographs and remote sensing imagery for mapping MRDs and impacts of MRD origin under Highveld conditions (i.e. a seasonal climate with summer rainfall and annual evapotranspiration of >2.5 times mean annual precipitation). The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM; 1923 km2) is an area of extensive historical mining with major urbanisation, while retaining areas for agricultural land use; thus it was selected as a representative study site. I used a numerical rating scheme, which combined a number of parameters in two separate stages to calculate a risk index. The first stage involved the classification of hazards associated with MRDs while the second involved an assessment of land use vulnerability based on exposure pathways and proximity. Historical aerial photographs (1938, 1964 and 2003) and the Chamber of Mines (CoM) Dump Indexes were used to identify and classify MRDs in terms of basic geotechnical properties, current status and historical failure. Multi-spectral data, acquired over two years (2002 and 2003) in two seasons (spring and summer) by the TERRA satellite’s Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor, were used to compile thematic images, indicating potential contamination of surrounding land. It was intended that a zone of influence could be distinguished for each MRD enabling me to rate the hazard severity. The thematic images I selected included primary minerals (pyrophyllite and chlorite), secondary minerals (copiapite and jarosite), an indicator of uranium-bearing ore (referred to as mincrust) and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). These minerals were chosen as potential indicators of different transport routes of contaminants and I tested their associations with different features and land use. I also tested for seasonal differences in the detection of these minerals, and used NDVI to examine the masking effect of active vegetation. I found GIS to be well suited for combining the various forms of spatial data and providing information about MRDs, aqueous pathways, proximity to vulnerable land uses and impacted areas. However, I found that the potential severity of the hazards posed by each MRD, as indicated by a zone of influence, could not be determined from aerial photographs and ASTER alone. I therefore utilised the findings expressed in the literature survey to assign ratings for the different classes of MRDs. The vulnerability assessment was also supplemented by literature review to rate land uses based on human exposure pathways. I determined that MRDs (including footprints) cover 4.1% of EMM, with slimes dams, totalling 3.5%, occupying the majority of this area. I found that 64% of slimes dams had failed prior to 2003 and I plotted a further 0.6% of EMM covered by visible mine residue spillage. Fifty three percent of MRDs were situated within 100 m of drainage lines or old wetlands, while 52% of these (i.e. 27% of the total) had been constructed in the watercourse. I also found that 15% were constructed on dolomites. Informal settlements were located on or bordering 6% of MRDs, with 41% of MRDs within 1 000 m. Eighty eight percent of MRDs were found within 1 000 m of formal residential areas, 71% within 500 m, and formal settlements were located on or bordering 5% of MRDs. Twenty three percent of MRDs were located within 500 m of agricultural land, while 35% were within 1 000 m; and industrial land use was on 9% of MRDs (footprints), with 40% of MRDs being within 500 m of industrial areas and 61% within 1 000 m I found that chlorite did not provide a ‘signature’ of gold and uranium mine residue, whereas the other four minerals did. I also found that, of the two seasons examined (spring and summer), the best time to take an ASTER image to detect mineral signatures of gold and uranium mine contamination is after a few dry days following the first spring rains. For this reason, I used the ASTER taken in late October (spring) 2003 to examine associations with pathways and land use. I found more pyrophyllite and copiapite on industrial and business land use than background, which I suggest is associated with the settling of windborne dust on large and flat roofs; although, in the case of copiapite this could be related to the oxidation of settled wind blown pyrite material. I found jarosite to be a reliable indicator of mine residue, which, together with mincrust, helped me identify contamination in former agricultural holdings, which are now a township. Although, chemically undefined, mincrust was a useful indicator of contamination, as I found it to be reliably detected on MRDs (including footprints), mine residue spillage, wetlands and other contaminated sites, and absent from known uncontaminated sites. Furthermore, it was not necessarily masked by active vegetation, whereas copiapite, jarosite and pyrophyllite were. Mincrust was also detected on irrigated agricultural land with an odds ratio of between 10 to 36 times greater than for rain-fed. Consequently, the most likely pathway for mincrust is the aqueous. The mincrust signature, together with historical aerial photographs, also assisted me to identify historical mining along Black Reef outcrops, through detection in a wetland upstream of known mining activities. The culmination of my study was a risk class and index for MRDs from which ‘risk maps’ were produced. These maps provide a guide to the level of risk posed by each MRD to the surrounding land use. Of the total 287 MRDs (including footprints) identified in the EMM, 50% were classified lower-risk; 40% medium-risk; 10% higher-risk and 0% as much higher risk. The lower-risk MRDs were predominantly rock dumps, whereas the higher-risk MRDs were slimes dams. The findings from my study will contribute to meaningful recommendations for future land use and enable mining companies, landowners, developers and government to allocate their resources judiciously (i.e. appropriate to the level of risk). The results of this study have been published as: Sutton, M.W., Weiersbye, I.M., Galpin, J.S and Heller, D., 2006. A GIS-based history of gold mine residue deposits and risk assessment of post-mining land uses on the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. In: A. B. Fourie and M. Tibbett (eds.), Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the 1st International Seminar on Mine Closure, Perth, ISBN: 0-9756756-6-4, pp. 667–678 (Appendix I). Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M., 2007. South African legislation pertinent to gold mine closure and residual risk. In: A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds.), Mine Closure 2007: Proceedings of the 2nd International Seminar on Mine Closure, Santiago, ISBN: 978-0-9804185-0-7, pp. 89–102 (Appendix II). Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M., 2008. Land use after mine closure – Risk assessment of gold and uranium mine residue deposits on the eastern Witwatersrand, South Africa. In: A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett, I.M. Weiersbye and P.J. Dye (eds.), Mine Closure 2008: Proceedings of the 3rd International Seminar on Mine Closure, Johannesburg, ISBN: 978-0-9804185-6-9, pp. 363–374 (Appendix III).
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"Alteration and gold mineralisation in the Roodepoort Goldfield, Pietersburg Granite-Greenstone Terrane." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12896.
Full text
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Venter, Andries J. A. "Assessment of the effects of gold-mine effluent on the natural aquatic environment." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10747.
Full textAbstract:
D.Phil. (Zoology)South Africa is a major gold-producing country with the 43 larger mines processing approximately 120 x 106 ton of milled and processed ore and about 30 x I06 ton of mined waste rock. Pollution of both surface and ground water, which can be attributed to the influences of gold-mining, are well known. Acid mine drainage, characterized by a low pH and high concentrations of dissolved metals, and seepage, from active and disused mine-tailings, are two of the main environmental problems associated with gold mining operations in South Africa. A growing concern for the environment and a stricter approach to water pollution by government agencies have made it necessary to investigate the type of effects which the gold mining industry is responsible for, and to develop action to reduce these impacts. The present study focused on procedures to access the effect of gold-mining effluent on the natural surface environment. The study is divided into three separate identities. The mine represented as Ccse study Mine One is considered to be a major contributor of salt loads to the natural stream on the property of the mine. This stream confluences with the Klip River outside the mined area. This mine has only one discharge point of underground mine service water, and is considered to be the main point source of pollution for the mine. As the mine makes use of an open water circuit, the quality and quantity of effluent have a direct effect on the downstream users. It appears that one of the main water quality problems of this open water circuit is the creation of surface water with a very low pH. Part of the problem is the geology of the area which consists of shales, which has a natural low buffering capacity. Because of the low pH the wetlands are not very effective. Metal concentration changes are possibly the direct result of the low pH of the both the water column and sediment. Improving the pH of the surface water can leads to reduced metal concentrations in the water, with possible increased concentrations in the sediment and wetland vegetation. Case Study Mine Two was conducted at a gold mine in the Far West Rand Mine region. The mine can be classified as having a closed water circuit, in that only excess water is discharged. The volume of water discharged is dependent on a number of factors, such as rainfall, wash-down service water and changing demands in sewage treatment systems. The advantage in this type of circuit is that water which has accidentally been spilled can be retained in one of the boundary dams, without the possibility of endangering the downstream users. From the assessment it appears that although the mining activities have influenced the water within the mining area this impact is only confirmed to certain areas. Biotic environmental conditions at certain sites resemble the conditions of the two control sites while other, notably those in contact with processing plants (e.g. metallurgical plant), are far more deteriorated. pH does not seem to be a problem at this specific mine. The main reasons are that the underlying geology of the mine is dolomitic in nature, while the sulphate concentration in the ore appears to be lower than those' found at the Witwatersrand mines. Case study Mine Three is situated in the Klerksdorp gold-mining region. The mine has a complex water circuit as a percentage of the service water is being reused or/and discharged via effluent streams into the Vaal River. Metal concentrations in the sediment core samples indicate a large variability between seasons, sites and depth. Sites in close proximity of slimes dams have high iron and manganese concentrations, whilst those in contact with effluent water from metallurgical plants have relatively high nickel, copper and in concentrations. This can be related to the type of processing material used in the gold-mining process.
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"Functional evaluation of a gold mine tailings rehabilitation project." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3649.
Full textAbstract:
Msc.This study focuses on the functional evaluation of a gold Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), the Fleurhof TSF (designated slimes dam 2L3), which is representative of gold slimes (tailings) dams in the Witwatersrand. The aim is to evaluate the rehabilitation status (in terms of species composition and landscape function) of TSF surfaces that were planted ~20 to ~40 years ago using the most common rehabilitation practice, namely pasture grassing. Pasture grassing aims to obtain rapid dust control. Mine closure was not considered at the time, and the vegetation was hence not designed with ecological processes or long-term objectives in mind. However, over time, grassing practices became routine in the TSF vegetation industry, and the contribution that they have made towards surface rehabilitation needs to be assessed against the current site closure objectives. On the selected site, evaluations of vegetation cover, species composition, and substrate physical and chemical properties were conducted in 1975 (Thatcher, 1979). The aim of the current mid-summer study in 2009 was addressed by assessing the same parameters of vegetation cover, species composition, and soil physical and chemical properties, and comparing these to the results of the previous assessment in 1975. Landscape Function Analysis (LFA – an index-based method of evaluating the retention of resources by surfaces and soil condition), was applied to determine the landscape function (stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling that are derived from the eleven soil surface assessment indicators), and compared with the landscape function of natural analogues in the same locality. Landscape organisation (also an indicator of LFA) was used to investigate the contribution of vegetation overall, and of discrete plant functional groups to landscape functionality. A total of 35 plant species were observed in the quadrats (56 species on the TSF overall), with 51% of species overall being alien. Perennial vegetation and cryptogam covers contributed the most to stabilising the TSF slopes and flat (top) surfaces. The percentage of vegetation basal cover on the TSF (30% – 70%) was lower than for analogue grassland sites on a nearby hill (80% – 100%). Lower basal vegetation cover on the TSF than on the analogue site, were associated with lower LFA indices of stability on all TSF slope aspects (P = 8.19 x 10-13 for all aspects), iii lower nutrient cycling for the northern and southern TSF slopes (south aspect P = 4.20 x 10-6; top aspect P = 0.03), and lower infiltration on the southern slope of the TSF (P = 2.68 x 10-6). However, a higher infiltration on the northern TSF aspect (P = 0.02) than on the analogue site, was attained. Perennial tussock grass patch types (which included perennial forbs) made the largest contribution to the soil surface assessment (SSA) indicators on the TSF and analogue sites, and therefore to the LFA indices that were derived from these SSA indicators. The contribution of woody patches to function was not evaluated.
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Berlenbach, Joachim Wilhelm. "The mechanics of bedding-parallel faulting associated with the Ventersdorp contact reef on the Kloof Gold Mine." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10897.
Full textAbstract:
D.Phil. (Geology)The structural history and mechanisms of bedding-parallel faulting associated with the Ventersdorp Contact Reef (VCR) on the Kloof Gold Mine are discussed. Pre-VCR deformation is determined by folding of the Booysens Shale Formation and the Turffontein Subgroup. Extension of Ventersdorp age (± 2700 Ma) probably took place by the simultaneous operation of normal, strike-slip and oblique slip faults (mixed-mode extension). Because the strikeslip and oblique-slip faults were extensional, they could be utilised as conduits for dykes, forming "Fault and Dyke Zones". Northwestward directed thrusting, which postdates the normal faulting, resulted in positive inversion. The thrust faults have a ramp-flat symmetry with ramps forming in the VCR horizon and the overlying Alberton Formation and flats forming in the underlying Booysens Shale Formation and along the contact between the VCR and the Alberton Formation. The thrust faults follow complex deformation paths, indicated by out-of-sequence thrusting, simultaneous folding and thrusting, underthrusting and compressed boudins. Hanging-wall ripouts, which can be related to this thrust event, are introduced as a shear sense indicator. No northwestward verging thrust faults of post-Transvaal age (post 2430 Ma) could be identified, indicating that this compressional event occurred prior to the deposition of the Black Reef Quartzite Formation. The minimum amount of shortening due to northwestward directed thrusting was estimated as 37 % with the help of restored sections. However, due to the out-of-sequence propagation of thrust faults, a control of the strain estimation was possible and true shortening probably exceeded the calculated amount of shortening considerably. The restoration of sections with out-of sequence thrusts is discussed in detail. Sheath fold-like structures in pseudotachylyte can be related to northwestward directed thrusting and are introduced as a new shear sense indicator.
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"Die verband tussen ertsgraad, fisiese elektrisiteitverbruik en bedryfskoste in die Suid-Afrikaanse goudmynbedryf, 1965-1982." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12004.
Full textAbstract:
M.Com. (Economics)The objective of the thesis was to examine the relationship between the grade of ore, physical electricity consumption and working cost in the South African gold mining industry for the period 1965 - 1982. The South African economy is heavily dependent on the gold mining industry, which is a major earner of foreign exchange and a large consumer of labour and agricultural and industrial output. The industry is also important as a source of finance for both the private sector and the Treasury. Curtailment of activity within the industry by closing down the more marginal mines or by shortening the life of the industry' as a whole because of rising costs and/or a hesitant gold price, will harm the South African economy in a number of ways. The industry has no option but to regard the gold price as given. The remaining ore reserves tend to be of a lower grade and/or to be found at greater depth. Controlling the working costs would seem to be almost the only option open to the industry.
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Anhaeusser, C. R. (Carl Robert). "The stratigraphy, structure, and gold mineralization of the Jamestown and Sheba Hills areas of the Barberton Mountain Land." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/17900.
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Schouwstra, Robert Pieter. "Kontroles van goudmineralisasie by die Sheba-goudmyn, Barberton-distrik." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9259.
Full textAbstract:
M.Sc. (Geology)The Main Reef Complex (MRC) section is developed in the Zwartkoppie and Sheba Formations of the Onverwacht and Fig Tree Group respectively. The section is represented by three shear zones, associated with a prominent anticlinal structure, locally known as the Birthday No.2 anticline. This tight isoclinal structure is marked by a chert unit, with a core of green quartz-carbonate schist, and is overlain and surrounded by greywackes and shales of the Sheba Formation. At depth the main mineralized fracture occurs to the south of, and parallel to the Birthday No.2 chert bar. Above the crest of the anticlinal structure gold mineralization is associated with three shear zones (which transgress the bedding of the greywackes and shales) known as the No .. I, No. 2 and No. 3 Fractures. Pyrite and arsenopyrite are the main ore minerals, with minor amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite and pyrrhotite. Pyrite mineralization is ubiquitously developed along the shear zones, while arsenopyrite mineralization is restricted to certain areas. Assay data of the greywackes and shales show that there is a correlation between gold contents and the abundance of arsenopyrite. Gold has been observed in association with all the sulphide minerals present, and as inclusions within pyrite and arsenopyrite. Electron microprobe analyses have revealed significant levels of gold in arsenopyrite, probably as submicroscopic inclusions.