Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Silver mines and mining – Zimbabwe'

Structural geology, groundwater, shear strength and blasting control pitwall stability at Equity Silver Mines, Houston, British Columbia. A geotechnical investigation of, these parameters was carried out in the Main Zone pit during the summer of 1984. The objective of the study was to develop a pitwall design based on geologic and groundwater conditions observed in each design sector. This thesis presents the results of the investigation; methods of improving stability by drainage and control blasting are also discussed. Information on structural geology was obtained by line mapping of existing berms. The discodat package of computer programs was used to process the structural data and to identify trends in orientation of discontinuities. Based on this information, the Main Zone pit was divided into ten design sectors, each sector having a consistent pattern of discontinuity orientations, rock type, groundwater conditions and pit wall orientation. Kinematically possible failure modes were identified in each design sector. Failure modes that were expected to present stability problems were analyzed to calculate factor of safety. Pit wall and berm face angles were then selected such that only a small number of potential failure modes will daylight. The stability evaluation has shown that it should be possible to increase pitwall angles by 5〫 in the west half of the pit. However, the data base in this area of the pit is presently limited because only a small number of berms are exposed. Therefore, additional line mapping will be required before the west wall design can be finalized. Groundwater will reduce pitwall stability, especially in the east half of the Main Zone pit. Multi-berm failures are very sensitive to groundwater conditions. A dewatering system should be installed in the Main Zone pit to minimize the possibility of such failures occuring. Wet blastholes dictate that expensive water resistant slurry explosives be used in many areas of the Main Zone pit. The dewatering system should also draw down the water table so blastholes will become dryer and less expensive ANFO can be utilized. The magnitude of shear strength on failure surfaces is required in order to evaluate stability of potential failures. Slip tests, point load tests and back analyses of existing failures were used to determine the shear strength parameters. Further studies should be carried out to better define the parameters at higher stress levels that will develop in a multi-berm failure. Further potential for pit steepening exists if the berm face in the volcanics can be maintained at a slightly steeper angle, e.g. 70 instead of the present 66°. It may be possible to achieve this goal if trim blasting procedures are modified to reduce blast damage to the final wall.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of
Graduate

Gold exploration was conducted in northern margin, granulite-facies rocks of the Limpopo Belt. Methods used in the prospecting include drainage, soil and rock geochemistry, geophysical surveys, geological mapping, trenching and diamond drilling. These techniques successfully led to the discovery of two medium size, mesothermal gold deposits (Grid 2s and Grid 4). Objectives of this study were to (a) document the exploration methodology used; (b) describe the regional geology; (c) establish a mineral deposit model; (d) outline the methods and results of various exploration techniques; (e) outline follow-up procedures and evaluation of anomalies; and (f) discuss results of the exploration exercise and conclusions. The granulite-facies terrain comprises Charno-enderbites, mafic and felsic to intermediate metavolcanic rocks and meta-sediments. Renco Mine situated immediately east of the study area, was selected as the ore deposit model for the exploration program. Gold mineralization occurs in shear and thrust zones within an enderbite. The gold deposits are structurally controlled by a first-order, Sinistral transcrustal Mauch Shear Zone, which is parallel to a regional east-northeast penetrative foliation. The deposits are in dilation zones where the Mauch Shear (a) is intersected by a dextral east-west shear (Grid 2s), or (b) has a sinistral splay (Grid 4 and Renco). Close to these deposits, the Mauch Shear is in contact with a "greenstone belt", which is a possible source of crustal metamorphic ore fluids and gold. The Grid 2s deposit contains fine-grained, disseminated free gold, and small amounts of pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite in quartz veins within third-order shears in K-feldspar granite. K-feldspar, sericitic, silicic, sulphidation and carbonate alteration characterizes the deposit, which has a proposed mantle-degassing model. The Grid 4 deposit is magmatic porphyry-type, with CuMo and Au in third- and fourth-order shears respectively. Mineralization comprises disseminated to semi-massive pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, bismuth, molybdenite and gold. Wall rock alteration includes biotitic, chloritic, silicic, sulphidation and carbonate. In Grid 2s, Grid 4 and Renco deposits, the alteration mineral assemblages are in three facies, which are granulite, amphibolte and greenschist. In the three deposits, the mineralization occurs with the amphibolite-facies, indicating post-peak, retrograde metamorphic conditions.
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Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to investigate the challenges to effective strategy implementation at the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC). Strategic planning is argued to have overshadowed the area of actual strategic implementation. Organisations put a lot of effort into drafting good plans, but do not put equal effort into their realisation. It was assumed that there is a big gap between strategic planning and implementation. This is what drove the researcher to go into the field and explore the situation at the ZMDC in greater depth in a bid to bridge the gap through research on the subject matter. Literature on strategy and strategy implementation was analysed critically. The research was guided by the post-positivism research philosophy. This research paradigm enabled the use of qualitative methods, which facilitated the interaction with respondents. The case study research design was adopted, as the research sought to discover the impediments to strategy implementation and the best way forward in turning the strategies on paper into action. The major findings were that there indeed were loopholes in strategy implementation at the ZMDC. The challenges to the strategy implementation process at the ZMDC were noted to be poor delegation, lack of training and development, poor ethical values, limited resources, low motivation of employees, poor communication and coordination, lack of control and poor teamwork. The organisation was noted to have deficient communication processes, which contributed to the challenges facing strategy implementation. The findings brought to light the fact that strategic planning starts with the executive management, hence the need for their commitment to owning the entire process of strategic planning and execution. The study revealed limited involvement of staff in the initial stages of developing strategy. In order to enhance the implementation of strategies, it was recommended that motivational leadership at the ZMDC had to be ensured. Leadership, ownership and drive are required to compete effectively and to deliver growth. Management should adopt the „Strategy into Action‟ planning approach, charting a course through performance factors, linking strategic thrusts to projects, as well as departmental and individual activity, with the ultimate goal being to enable the ZMDC to effectively translate strategic goals into results in a clear and inclusive process. To turn strategic desires into action that drives results, the ZMDC leaders need to develop strategic thrusts and broad-based action plans, putting the vision to light, and picturing to everyone what would be viewed as strategic success and what it takes to achieve and measure the desired outcomes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om ondersoek in te stel na die uitdagings vir doeltreffende strategie-implementering by die Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC). Daar word aangevoer dat strategiese beplanning wesenlike strategiese implementering oorskadu. Organisasies werk hard aan die opstel van goeie planne, maar werk nie ewe hard aan die verwesenliking daarvan nie. Die aanname is gemaak dat daar ʼn groot gaping tussen strategiese beplanning en implementering is. Dit het die navorser aangemoedig om die situasie by ZMDC prakties en op diepgaande wyse te ondersoek ten einde hierdie gaping deur navorsing oor die onderwerp te oorbrug. Die literatuur oor strategie en strategie-implementering is krities ontleed. Die navorsing is gerig deur ʼn post-positivisme-navorsingsfilosofie. Hierdie navorsingsparadigma het die gebruik van kwalitatiewe metodes moontlik gemaak, wat interaksie met die respondente in die hand gewerk het. ʼn Gevallestudie-navorsingsontwerp is gebruik, aangesien die doel van die navorsing was om die struikelblokke tot strategie-implementering en die beste pad vorentoe om strategie op papier in aksie oor te skakel, te bepaal. Die vernaamste bevindings was dat daar wel skuiwergate in strategie-implementering by ZMDC is. Die uitdagings rakende die strategie-implementeringsproses by ZMDC is geïdentifiseer as swak delegering, gebrek aan opleiding en ontwikkeling, swak etiese waardes, beperkte hulpbronne, lae motivering van werknemers, swak kommunikasie en koördinering, gebrek aan beheer en swak spanwerk. Daar is gemerk dat die organisasie gebrekkige kommunikasieprosesse het, wat tot die uitdagings vir strategie-implementering bydra. Die bevindings het aan die lig gebring dat strategiese beplanning by die uitvoerende bestuur begin, en dus is hul toewyding tot eienaarskap van die algehele strategiese beplannings- en uitvoeringsproses noodsaaklik. Die studie het beperkte betrokkenheid van personeel by die aanvanklike fases van strategie-ontwikkeling getoon. Ten einde die implementering van strategieë te bevorder, is die aanbeveling om motiveringsleierskap by ZMDC te verseker. Leierskap, eienaarskap en dryfkrag is nodig om doeltreffend mee te ding en te groei. Die bestuur moet die beplanningsbenadering van „Strategie in Aksie‟ aanneem, wat die weg deur prestasiefaktore aantoon en strategiese dryfkragte aan projekte asook aan departementele en individuele aktiwiteit koppel. Die uiteindelike doelwit is om ZMDC in staat te stel om strategiese doelwitte doeltreffend in ʼn duidelike en insluitende proses in resultate om te skakel. Ten einde strategiese strewes in aksie wat resultate lewer om te skakel, moet ZMDC se leiers strategiese dryfkragte en breedgebaseerde aksieplanne ontwikkel, waardeur die visie duidelik gemaak word en almal duidelikheid het oor wat as strategiese sukses beskou word en wat dit verg om die gewenste uitkomste te bereik en te meet.

The San Dimas mining district, including the Tayoltita mine, is a Tertiary silver-gold epithermal vein system deposited in a calcalkaline volcanic pile. Hydrothermal alteration and vein formation is temporally related to a granite batholith intruded into the volcanics. Alteration mineralogy in andesites is compatible with a hydrothermal flow model in which heated water rises through the batholith, cools to 260°C, and flows out into the volcanics. In the process, a(Na)⁺/a(H)⁺, a(K)⁺/a(H)⁺, a(Ca)⁺⁺/a²(H)⁺, a(SO₄)⁼.a²(H)⁺, and a(H₂S) increase; a(A1)⁺⁺⁺/a³(H)⁺ decreases; and a(Fe)⁺⁺/a² (H)⁺ remains constant, all relative to original fluid conditions in the andesites. Lateral elongation of Ag:Au ratio zoning plotted on vertical projections of veins is interpreted to reflect hydrothermal fluid flow principally in a horizontal direction during ore deposition. Quartz vein-filling, accompanied by chlorite, calcite, rhodonite, and adularia, is widest in a vertical interval approximately 500 to 1,000 meters below the original surface. Pyrite is widely distributed, but silver minerals, electrum, and base-metal sulfides are restricted to the upper portion of the vertical interval of veining in a zone termed the ore horizon. Paragenetic relationships among vein minerals of the Cinco Senores vein in the Tayoltita mine indicate that a(H₂S) decreased; a(Cu)⁺/a(H)⁺, a(Ag)⁺/a(H)⁺, and a(Au)⁺/a(H)⁺ increased; and a(Fe)⁺⁺/a²(H)⁺ and a(SO₄)⁼.a²(H)⁺ remained nearly constant during the initial stage of ore deposition. Fluid inclusion studies of quartz from the Cinco Senores vein indicate that ore deposited at an average temperature of 260°C from boiling fluids of apparent salinities ranging from 0.15 to 0.3 m(NaCl) equivalent. The greater apparent salinities probably reflect dissolved gases as well as chloride salts. Correlation of Ag:Au ratios in deposited vein with ice-melting temperatures in fluid inclusions suggests that evolution of ore fluids in space was accompanied by both increase in deposited Ag:Au ratios and decline in fluid solute concentration. Correlation of ice-melting temperatures with paragenetic age of associated quartz suggests that vein-depositing hydrothermal fluids evolved in both space and time from relatively concentrated to dilute conditions. Both boiling and mixing could have caused this decline in solute concentration.

A mitjan segle XIV, es va potenciar l’explotació minera de l’argent al comtat de les Muntanyes de Prades i baronia d’Entença. Aquest domini comtal, creat l’any 1324, conformava un conjunt territorial i senyorial indivisible sota la regència d’un únic senyor. En aquest marc ampli, l’explotació del metall noble es va desenvolupar especialment al voltant de la ciutat que exercia la capitalitat administrativa del domini: Falset (el Priorat, Catalunya). De fet, hi va haver un boom de l’explotació d’argent en una zona de llarga tradició minera en la producció, sobretot, de plom. Precisament, l’explotació de la galena i el plom s’estenia i havia estat important des d’antic al territori que abraça l’àrea del Molar–Bellmunt–Falset. El responsable que es focalitzessin els esforços en l’explotació de l’argent en aquesta zona a mitjan segle XIV va ser, sens dubte, el segon comte de Prades: l’infant Pere d’Aragó, fill del monarca Jaume II d’Aragó i Blanca d’Anjou. El qual, de fet, va ser comte de les Muntanyes de Prades des del 1342 fins al 1358. Així doncs, en la present tesi doctoral, es treballen diversos aspectes relacionats amb l’activitat minera i metal·lúrgica de l’argent que es va desenvolupar a Falset mentre va ser comte de Prades l’infant Pere. De fet, el tema s’aborda de forma exhaustiva i des d’una perspectiva àmplia. Ara bé, per centrar el treball, s’analitzen tres àmbits temàtics bàsics: la regulació normativa de l’explotació de l’argent, la gestió i organització estructural de l’activitat i, finalment, la producció de les mines. Així, essencialment a partir de la transcripció i l’anàlisi acurat de documentació conservada a l’Arxiu Ducal de Medinaceli a Catalunya, s’articulen els diferents apartats. Els quals van desgranant cadascun dels temes tractats.
A mediados del siglo XIV, se potenció la explotación minera de la plata en el Condado de las Montañas de Prades y Baronía de Entenza. Este dominio condal, creado en 1324, conformaba un conjunto territorial y señorial indivisible bajo la regencia de un único señor. En este marco amplio, la explotación del metal noble tuvo lugar especialmente en el área de influencia de la ciudad que ejercía la capitalidad administrativa del dominio: Falset (el Priorat, Cataluña). De hecho, hubo un boom de la explotación de plata en una zona de larga tradición minera en la producción, sobretodo, de plomo. Precisamente, la explotación de la galena y el plomo se desarrollaba y había sido importante desde antaño en el territorio que abarca el área del Molar–Bellmunt–Falset. El responsable de que se focalizaran los esfuerzos en la explotación de la plata en esta zona a mediados del XIV fue, sin duda, el segundo conde de Prades: el infante Pedro de Aragón, hijo del monarca Jaime II de Aragón y Blanca de Anjou. Éste, en realidad, fue conde de las Montañas de Prades desde 1342 hasta 1358. Por lo tanto, en la presente tesis doctoral, se trabajan diversos aspectos relacionados con la actividad minera y metalúrgica de la plata que se desarrolló en Falset mientras fue conde de Prades el infante Pedro. De hecho, el tema se aborda de forma exhaustiva y desde una perspectiva amplia. Aún así, para centrar el trabajo, se analizan tres ámbitos temáticos básicos: la regulación normativa de la explotación de la plata, la gestión y organización estructural de la actividad y, finalmente, la producción de las minas. De este modo, esencialmente a partir de la transcripción y el análisis detallado de la documentación conservada en el Archivo Ducal de Medinaceli en Cataluña, se articulan los diferentes apartados. Los cuales van desgranando cada uno de los temas tratados.
In the mid 14th century, silver mining exploitation was boosted and strengthened in the County of Prades Mountains and Barony of Entença. This dominion, which was created in 1324, was a territorially and lordly indivisible ensemble under the rule of only one lord. In this broad frame, the noble metal exploitation was specially developed in the zone of influence of Falset (Priorat, Catalonia). This city was the administrative capital of the wide dominion. In fact, there was a boom in silver exploitation in an area where lead production, above all, had been developed for a long time. Precisely, galena and lead exploitation had been important in the area made up of Molar–Bellmunt–Falset territory, where this activity had been present since Prehistory. Without a doubt, the second count of Prades was the main responsible for focusing all the efforts in silver exploitation in this area in the mid 14th century. He is usually called Infante Peter of Aragon, because he was King James II of Aragon and Blanca of Anjou’s son. In fact, this infante was count of Prades Mountains from 1342 to 1358. Therefore, the present doctoral thesis deals with several aspects related to silver mining and metallurgy which were developed in Falset while Infante Peter was count of Prades. Actually, this subject is covered in a thorough way and from a broad perspective. Nevertheless, three main issues are analysed in order to focus attention on this subject: silver exploitation ordinances, administration and structural organization of the activity and, finally, mines production. In this way, the different book sections are primarily organised using the information obtained by transcribing and studying documents from Medinaceli’s Ducal Archive in Catalonia.

Master of Science in Engineering by advanced coursework and research: 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 Johannesburg, 2016
The mining sector plays a significant role in the economy of Zimbabwe. The mining sector is the second largest contributor to the country’s GDP at over 20%. Zimbabwe as a country is endowed with abundant mineral resources. The top three commodities in terms of estimated resources are iron ore, coal and platinum with resources of 30 billion tonnes, 26 billion tonnes and 2.8 billion tonnes respectively. Zimbabwe’s vast mineral resources and reserves are of strategic importance to the Zimbabwe economy. Coal mining is one of the major economic contributors to the mining industry in Zimbabwe. The purpose of the study is to determine the optimal operational model for Makomo Resources from a mining and processing point of view. The study is based on a coal-mining project in the Zimbabwean mining industry. Makomo Resources is the largest privately owned coal mining company in the country, which has a mining licence to perform coal-mining activities in the north-west part of the Bulawayo Mining District of Zimbabwe. Makomo Resources applies a conventional strip mining method by means of truck and shovel to extract the coal reserves. Makomo Resources is supplying over 200,000 tonnes of coal per month to the local and export market. The mine has invested in USD20 million capital to commission a wash plant. The study investigates how to optimise the plant throughput by comparing two mining options: Mining Option 1 - crush and screen 2m power coal, crush & screen and wash a full 7m low ash coal seam and wash 2m of coking coal. Mining Option 2 – crush and screen 2m power coal, crush & screen a 3m low sulphur coal seam and wash low ash coal and coking coal of 4m and 2m respectively. The study investigated all the marketing, geology, mining and financial parameters in the Zimbabwean coal mining context. The study determines the appropriate mining methodology and explore to optimise the coal processing. Two financial models were developed to evaluate and compare the two proposed mining options, determine their feasibility and conclude the optimal mining model. Financial techniques were used to analyse and evaluate the two mining options. The financial models were used to analyse and evaluate the following:  The cashflow over the 10-year period.  The Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of each mining option.  The payback period of the washing plant.  Profitability Index per mining option. The NPV of a project determines the economic value of the mining project. The decision on a mining investment is mostly related to the NPV and IRR of the project. Discounted Cash flow (DCF) models were developed for both mining options that shows project cash in and out flows and calculates economic indicators, such as IRR and NPV. The NPV and IRR were the main methods for the evaluation of the two mining options. The resulting DCF models were developed in an Excel spreadsheet format designed for a 10-year Life of Mine (LOM) period. Mining Option 1 has a higher NPV of USD38.2 million in comparison to USD9.7 million for Mining Option 2. The IRR for Mining Option 1 was calculated at 48%, which is bigger than the IRR for Mining Option 2 of 26%. Mining Option 1 has a simple payback period and discounted payback period of 2.7 years and 4.9 years respectively. Mining Option 2 has a simple payback period and discounted payback period of 3.9 years and 11.9 years respectively. Mining Option 1 has a shorter payback period than Mining Option 2. Both mining options have a Profitability Index (PI bigger than one with Mining Option 1 and Mining Option 2 recording values of 1.87 and 1.18 respectively. Mining Option 1 has the better PI value and is therefore more profitable. Based on the economic evaluation, Mining Options 1 is by far more attractive than Mining Option 2, which results in a better return on the investment and profitability, therefore the preferred option.
MT2017

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 2019
South Africa is a land in which mining has played a pivotal role over the last one hundred and fifty years. Silver was one of the metals prospected for and mined during the 1885-1895 period. There were a few silver mines that developed into very successful operations and produced large tonnages of argentiferous lead or copper and the largest of these, and the primary focus of this thesis, was the mine now referred to as the Argent silver mine. This thesis is about the development of mineral beneficiation technology, coupled with excavations and the analysis of the lifeways of the black mine workers at the Argent mine. I intend to follow the trend taken by some archaeologists over the last ten years for such sites in both the UK and the USA and combine an industrial archaeological study with the social or historical archaeological study. This holistic multi-disciplinary approach to industrial or mining sites and their communities helps to provide a more integrated analysis of humans and technology at a particular site (Norris 2009; Ford 2011; Tumberg 2012; Cowie 2015). The Argent Silver Mine appears to have been at the forefront of new and developing mining beneficiation technologies, both in the 1890s and the 1920s. This thesis will show how many of the new beneficiation technologies were apparently employed at the Argent mine before being brought into more general use in other mining industries, such as gold, in South Africa. The social development of South Africa’s black people, from the late nineteenth century, has been one of repression and enforced living conditions. From a formerly agrarian and rural lifestyle they became cogs in the wheels of industrialisation and foremost in this industrial jump, was the mining industry. Mining began in the 1870s with diamonds at Kimberley and gold at Pilgrim’s Rest in eastern Mpumalanga. It was, however, the finding of gold on the Witwatersrand that opened up so many mining industries, of which silver mining was but one, coupled with ancillary engineering support industries. It was this industrialisation that was to change black lives forever and to create the urban black populations of South Africa today. The results of this thesis provide evidence of their lifeways and potential employment positions on a silver mine.
TL (2020)

The mining of silver, although not as significant as the mining of gold, has a history of money being made and lost, as well as instances of fraud and theft. In the late 1880s, when silver and lead deposits were discovered 100 km south-east of Pretoria, the Barnato family was quick to invest and float a company to exploit the deposit. To the north of Pretoria, Alois Nellmapius, later famous as the founder of the Hatherly distillery, established a company to mine a silver and copper rich deposit. The Strubens, pioneers of the Witwatersrand gold fields, discovered a silver rich copper deposit on their farm ‘The Willows’ east of Pretoria. The successful silver mining companies listed on the Stock Exchange in Johannesburg soon attracted the attention of the Randlords of Johannesburg and specifically that of H Eckstein & Co. The development of the company’s activities in silver mining in the 1880s and 1890s forms a significant part of this study. The relationship between the mine owners and their managers during the nineteenth century is explored, along with local and international events in politics and economics that had an impact on the mining of silver in South Africa over the period from 1885 to 1999. Silver mining in South Africa has had a ‘rise and fall’ life from the 1880s with three significant periods of investment, mining activity and decline. As with most commodities, prices vary over time. The international metals market has been a dominant factor in the life of the silver mines of greater Pretoria. The relationship between rising and falling international metal prices, and the operating lives of the mines, form a theme throughout this dissertation as it will be shown that the operating periods all coincided with periods of strong metal prices. In the one hundred and fourteen years, coupled with large tonnages of base metals – lead, copper and zinc - the mines produced over ninety-three tons of silver. Over thirty silver mines and ventures were revealed during the research, but discussing all of them in this dissertation was not feasible. It is therefore limited to the history of the seven mines that produced the greatest amounts of silver and other metals such as lead, copper and zinc and how their individual and interrelated histories together form the dominant part of the history of silver mining in the greater Pretoria region.
History
MA (History)

A dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the Master of Arts in Political Studies, Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016
The governance of natural resources plays an important role in the distribution of resources in any state. The failure of a government to effectively administer natural resources will result in a country failing to benefit from the resources economically. This research paper explores how from 2006 to 2013 the Zimbabwean government handled the discovery of diamonds in the Marange area which is situated just outside Zimbabwe’s third largest city, Mutare. Zimbabwe has had a tumultuous millennium which has seen farm invasions, controversial elections and a crippled economy. The discovery of the diamonds was expected to aid the country’s faltering economy, but instead the diamonds only benefitted a close knit group of individuals who were aligned to the ruling party, ZANU PF. The ruling party in Zimbabwe has enjoyed a stranglehold on the Zimbabwean political landscape and the discovery of the Marange diamonds solidified this stranglehold. The diamonds helped ZANU PF revive its waning political fortunes after the party had joined a coalition government with MDC T after the controversial elections in 2008. The diamonds in Marange are an example of how ZANU PF has been able to use the country’s resources to prop up its waning influence on the Zimbabwean political landscape. The discovery of the diamonds in Zimbabwe mirrors other African countries where rather than being a blessing to local communities natural resources become a curse.
MT2017

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. Johannesburg, 2016
Since mining platinum started at Unki Mine in 2005, large and small geologically controlled falls of ground (FOG) have been problematic especially in 2011 where a FOG caused a fatality. This study is about determining the rock properties at Unki Mine and then using the results to design and recommend robust support to reduce the FOG problems that are continuously happening. The study analysed all the FOG data from the mine database from 2010 to 2015 using statistical methods. Rock properties of the hangingwall, ore zone and footwall were determined from the laboratory tests. The geological structures were also mapped carefully. The results were then used as input data to the numerical modelling softwares Phase2 and J-Block. The J-Block program was used to determine the number of keyblocks that were stable, unstable and failed with support in designated and specified bords. A probabilistic approach was used to evaluate the stable span with special reference from small to large hangingwall instabilities for different mining scenarios. It was found out using Phase2 that large spans at Unki Mine are possible provided appropriate and robust support system is adopted. To fully address the issue of FOG problem at Unki Mine, a probabilistic approach is recommended as this is considered to be more appropriate than a deterministic approach that has been the traditional design approach so far.
MT2017

Cultural conflict is endemic in diverse societies and schools. It manifests in both subtle and overt ways, permeating the whole school environment and posing tremendous challenges for society. The purpose of this study is to devise an education strategy to reduce cultural conflict in schools administered by mines in Zimbabwe, with a particular reference to language and teacher capacity to cope with diversity in mining-town schools. This study was guided by three theoretical frameworks: Bourdieu’s capital theory, Nussbaum’s cosmopolitan education theory and unhu/ubuntu moral theory. Nine models for the reduction of cultural conflict in diversity were reviewed in order to gain insight relating to cultural conflict in mining-town schools. The qualitative research design of the study was approached from a phenomenological perspective with regard to document analysis, face-to-face and focus group interviews as well as classroom observation. Three school administrators, three SDC members, two company managers, three Grade 2 teachers and 30 Grade 6 learners were purposively selected to participate in the study. It emerged from the study that conflict was attributable to teachers with no command of language(s) spoken by the school-going population and lacked training and apititude for the task of dealing with language and cultural diversity in the classroom. It was also found that cultural conflict as described above could be reduced by establishing well-resourced language learning centres that foster essentially civilised values like respect, tolerance and dialogue. Participants also saw an ethnic match between staff and learners as significant in averting cultural conflict. The study recommended that the government should provide services that address diverse learners’ unique needs.
Early Childhood Education
D. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Microbial biodegradation methods of hydrocarbon contaminated soils that can occur through biodegradation, bio augmentation, bio stimulation, and phytoremediation, have gained significant interest in recent years when compared to the conventional methods. The study was designed to explore the influence of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination on physicochemical and microbial characteristics of soils as well as determining the possibility of hydrocarbon biodegradation using biostimulation. The process involved soil characterisation and modification of nitrogen and phosphorus content to stimulate naturally adapting microorganisms. Characterisation process determined that hydrocarbon contamination of Murowa soils introduced hydrophobicity to the naturally wettable sandy loam soils. Naturally adapting microbial species capable of degrading hydrocarbons identified using Direct microscopy, Gram and Melzer’s iodine staining included Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Serratia marcescens, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, Streptomyces Staphylococcus, Penicillium and yeasts. The N: P nutrient ratio and moisture levels were identified as potential limiting factors and hence experiments focused on manipulation of N: P nutrients to stimulate the identified hydrocarbon degrading organisms (bio stimulation). Hydrocarbons were identified by solvent extraction using hexane and gas chromatography. These included decane, undecane, hexadecanal, 2-ethylcridine, octadecane and 1-iodo. Soils weighing 10kgs with hydrocarbons levels of about 265mg/kg were subjected to eight (8) treatments with seven (7) different combinations of N (6000-12000mgN): P (600- 3000mgP) concentration ranges including the control. Nitrogen The moisture was adjusted and tilling for aeration was done on a weekly basis. Changes in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), C: N: P ratio, microbial mass and pH were evaluated over 111 consecutive days. The optimum N:P ratio was the determined to 2:1 molar ratio in form of 6000mgN:3000mgP. TPH concentration was reduced by 73% from the initial concentration within the first 74 days. Beyond 74 days there were no significant changes in the TPH concentration and this was attributed to the presence of more complex insoluble hydrocarbons which needed more time and an additional bio surfactant to complete mineralization. The conclusion was that a combination of natural attenuation and biostimulation methods can be used to bioremediate Murowa hydrocarbon contaminated soils using the 2:1 molar ratio of what
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

In 1887, following the completion of the CPR to the Pacific, William Stewart Drewry took part in the Topographical Survey of Canada's first experiment with photographic surveying, which he applied to the Rocky Mountain Railway Belt. He then surveyed the rich mining districts of BC during the Kootenay hardrock mining boom (1893-1909). In 1909, he became BC's first and only Chief Water Commissioner and, in 1911, he returned to surveying as BC's Inspector of Surveys. From 1913 until his retirement in 1929, he surveyed for government and in private practice. Throughout his career, Drewry operated between two land systems: first, a system based on customary rights and local obligations; and, second, a system based on private property and market exchange. Drewry implemented the latter capitalist system, attempting to empower the settlement society, which had the effect of ensuring corporate dominance and, to Drewry's dismay, monopolization of the BC landscape.