Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The objective of this study is to recommend the optimal coal preparation plant feed strategy for the Tweefontein Optimisation Project (TOP) at Xstrata Coal South Africa’s Tweefontein Complex operations. In this research report the specific challenges relating to the mining, stockpiling and quality of coal relating to this problem are presented together with the decision analysis modelling used to solve the optimal plant feed strategy. Interviews were held and relevant literature studies were consulted to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges relating to the opencast mining of coal pillars remaining from historically mined underground operations, together with the coal quality variability and complexity relating to the Tweefontein Complex. Further literature studies were conducted to gain an understanding of the most favourable decision modelling tools to be applied. Three different types of models were developed. The first was to test various washing philosophies influenced by the combination of coal from various sources and seams over individual week periods. The second was to simulate the coal process flow from arrival at the run-of-mine (ROM) pad through to the loading of trains, influenced by production profiles, system constraints and dynamic stochastic processes. The final model had to test the combined financial impact of washing and stockpile philosophies on the net present value of the Tweefontein Complex over the life of the mine. Due to the nature of the modelling techniques applied, the establishment of scenarios was necessitated. Six washing philosophy scenarios and three base stockpile philosophy scenarios (developed to 39 scenarios when sensitivity and limit tests are included) were tested. Thereafter the relevant combined permutations were used to establish 12 feed strategy scenarios that were compared for their financial impact. From the individual philosophies recommended from a washing and stockpiling perspective, a final three scenarios were recommended from a net present value perspective. These include: (a) the individual feeding of five different quality-groups of coal with a ROM stockpile capacity of 128 000 tonnes and excluding a plant buffer stockpile, applying a wash approach based on the “randomly” estimated cut point density of the respective quality-group; (b) the individual feeding of two quality-groups of coal (export and Eskom) with a ROM stockpile capacity of 50 000 tonnes and a plant buffer stockpile (using a bridge reclaimer system) with a capacity of 80 000 tonnes, applying a wash approach whereby the optimal cut point density of the previous week is utilised the following week; (c) a similar feed strategy as for b, but with the application of coal valves as the reclaimer system on the plant buffer stockpile. A final recommendation was made to implement the scenario given in c above. This was concluded following a combination of additional considerations. This research report contains the knowledge gained in the personal interviews and the literature reviewed. It further discusses the methodology followed to achieve the objectives of the study, it illustrates the models and scenarios that were developed and it discusses the analysis of the results and conclusions formulated. It finally concludes with a recommendation for the optimal feed strategy for the TOP, together with additional work proposed to be conducted subsequent to this study.

Depósitos de rejeitos de carvão proporcionam uma série de problemas ambientais, pois ocupam uma grande área física, modificam o relevo, a paisagem e geram a drenagem ácida de minas (DAM). Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a caracterização do material em um depósito de rejeitos da Carbonífera Criciúma S/A, de forma a avaliar a possibilidade de separação de três frações para futura reutilização: (a) uma fração de densidade baixa, rica em carvão para uso energético; (b) uma fração de densidade intermediária, com predomínio de materiais inertes; (c) uma fração de densidade alta, para uso comercial da pirita. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu na coleta de amostras e caracterização do material. A caracterização incluiu a análise granulométrica, estudos de afunda-flutua em meios densos e análises do material em termos de teor de cinzas e enxofre total. Os resultados demonstraram que 68% do material apresentam granulometria grosseira (entre 50,8 mm e 2,0 mm), 15% granulometria fina (entre 2,0 e 0,1 mm) e que 17% correspondem ao lodo proveniente das bacias de decantação. Os estudos indicam que é possível, por beneficiamento gravimétrico, recuperar 37% do material para fins energéticos, com um teor de 67,0% de cinzas e 2,9% de enxofre total. Ainda, 10% do material poderá ser recuperados para obtenção de um concentrado rico em pirita. O material remanescente, com densidade intermediária, poderá ser disposto com um menor potencial de geração de acidez. / Coal tailing deposits can be a source of various environmental problems. It demands large physical area, change the topography and generate the acid mine drainage (AMD). The aim of this work was to characterize the coal tailing deposit of Carbonífera Criciúma S/A, seeking the separation of three fractions for future reuse: (a) a fraction of low density for energy production in thermoelectric plants, (b) a fraction of intermediate density, with predominance of inert minerals, and (c) a fraction of high density, for commercial use of pyrite. The work methodology consisted in sample collection and characterization of the material. The characterization included particle size analysis, densimetric studies and material analyses in terms of ash and total sulfur. The results showed that 68% of the material is composed by coarse particles (between 50.8 mm and 2.0 mm), and 15% of fine particles (between 2.0 and 0.1 mm) and 17% sludge from settling ponds. It is possible, by gravimetric concentration, to recover 34.2% of the material for energetic application, with 67.0% ash and 2.9% sulfur. Still, 10.0% of the material can be recovered as a pyrite rich concentrate. The remaining material, with intermediate density, can be discarded with a lower acid generation potential.

Depósitos de rejeitos de carvão proporcionam uma série de problemas ambientais, pois ocupam uma grande área física, modificam o relevo, a paisagem e geram a drenagem ácida de minas (DAM). Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a caracterização do material em um depósito de rejeitos da Carbonífera Criciúma S/A, de forma a avaliar a possibilidade de separação de três frações para futura reutilização: (a) uma fração de densidade baixa, rica em carvão para uso energético; (b) uma fração de densidade intermediária, com predomínio de materiais inertes; (c) uma fração de densidade alta, para uso comercial da pirita. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu na coleta de amostras e caracterização do material. A caracterização incluiu a análise granulométrica, estudos de afunda-flutua em meios densos e análises do material em termos de teor de cinzas e enxofre total. Os resultados demonstraram que 68% do material apresentam granulometria grosseira (entre 50,8 mm e 2,0 mm), 15% granulometria fina (entre 2,0 e 0,1 mm) e que 17% correspondem ao lodo proveniente das bacias de decantação. Os estudos indicam que é possível, por beneficiamento gravimétrico, recuperar 37% do material para fins energéticos, com um teor de 67,0% de cinzas e 2,9% de enxofre total. Ainda, 10% do material poderá ser recuperados para obtenção de um concentrado rico em pirita. O material remanescente, com densidade intermediária, poderá ser disposto com um menor potencial de geração de acidez. / Coal tailing deposits can be a source of various environmental problems. It demands large physical area, change the topography and generate the acid mine drainage (AMD). The aim of this work was to characterize the coal tailing deposit of Carbonífera Criciúma S/A, seeking the separation of three fractions for future reuse: (a) a fraction of low density for energy production in thermoelectric plants, (b) a fraction of intermediate density, with predominance of inert minerals, and (c) a fraction of high density, for commercial use of pyrite. The work methodology consisted in sample collection and characterization of the material. The characterization included particle size analysis, densimetric studies and material analyses in terms of ash and total sulfur. The results showed that 68% of the material is composed by coarse particles (between 50.8 mm and 2.0 mm), and 15% of fine particles (between 2.0 and 0.1 mm) and 17% sludge from settling ponds. It is possible, by gravimetric concentration, to recover 34.2% of the material for energetic application, with 67.0% ash and 2.9% sulfur. Still, 10.0% of the material can be recovered as a pyrite rich concentrate. The remaining material, with intermediate density, can be discarded with a lower acid generation potential.

Depósitos de rejeitos de carvão proporcionam uma série de problemas ambientais, pois ocupam uma grande área física, modificam o relevo, a paisagem e geram a drenagem ácida de minas (DAM). Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a caracterização do material em um depósito de rejeitos da Carbonífera Criciúma S/A, de forma a avaliar a possibilidade de separação de três frações para futura reutilização: (a) uma fração de densidade baixa, rica em carvão para uso energético; (b) uma fração de densidade intermediária, com predomínio de materiais inertes; (c) uma fração de densidade alta, para uso comercial da pirita. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu na coleta de amostras e caracterização do material. A caracterização incluiu a análise granulométrica, estudos de afunda-flutua em meios densos e análises do material em termos de teor de cinzas e enxofre total. Os resultados demonstraram que 68% do material apresentam granulometria grosseira (entre 50,8 mm e 2,0 mm), 15% granulometria fina (entre 2,0 e 0,1 mm) e que 17% correspondem ao lodo proveniente das bacias de decantação. Os estudos indicam que é possível, por beneficiamento gravimétrico, recuperar 37% do material para fins energéticos, com um teor de 67,0% de cinzas e 2,9% de enxofre total. Ainda, 10% do material poderá ser recuperados para obtenção de um concentrado rico em pirita. O material remanescente, com densidade intermediária, poderá ser disposto com um menor potencial de geração de acidez. / Coal tailing deposits can be a source of various environmental problems. It demands large physical area, change the topography and generate the acid mine drainage (AMD). The aim of this work was to characterize the coal tailing deposit of Carbonífera Criciúma S/A, seeking the separation of three fractions for future reuse: (a) a fraction of low density for energy production in thermoelectric plants, (b) a fraction of intermediate density, with predominance of inert minerals, and (c) a fraction of high density, for commercial use of pyrite. The work methodology consisted in sample collection and characterization of the material. The characterization included particle size analysis, densimetric studies and material analyses in terms of ash and total sulfur. The results showed that 68% of the material is composed by coarse particles (between 50.8 mm and 2.0 mm), and 15% of fine particles (between 2.0 and 0.1 mm) and 17% sludge from settling ponds. It is possible, by gravimetric concentration, to recover 34.2% of the material for energetic application, with 67.0% ash and 2.9% sulfur. Still, 10.0% of the material can be recovered as a pyrite rich concentrate. The remaining material, with intermediate density, can be discarded with a lower acid generation potential.

M. Tech. Engineering Chemical. / Aims to investigate how the addition of impurities in a CO2 stream affects the adsorption capacity of CO2 on South African coals. To achieve this aim, the following objectives were carried out. 1. To measure the adsorption isotherms and adsorption capacities of pure CO2 and flue gas mixtures on various South African coals under in-seam conditions including pressures up to 88 bar and isothermal temperature of 35 &#x00BA%x;C; 2. To evaluate the effects of coal rank on the adsorption isotherms and adsorption capacities of pure CO2 and flue gas mixtures; 3. To do a comparative study to evaluate the effects of CO2 impurities on the adsorption capacity of pure CO2 on coal; 4. To study the degree of preferential sorption of the individual flue gas mixtures components on coal; 5. To determine the suitability of the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherm models in representing pure CO2 adsorption onto coal; and 6. To determine the suitability of Extended Langmuir (EL) adsorption models in representing the flue gas mixture adsorption onto coal.

MESMEG / Department of Mining and Environmental Geology / The Mushithe coal occurrence is situated approximately 16 km west of the Tshikondeni coal mine in the Tshipise-Pafuri sub-basin of the Soutpansberg coalfield in South Africa. The Soutpansberg Coalfield has received comparatively less attention compared to other more notable South African coalfields. There is as a consequence very limited information in the public domain applicable to the geology as well as quality of coal in this coalfield, as a result there is no known study focused exclusively on the Mushithe coal occurrence. The aim of the study was to conduct detailed geological mapping of the Mushithe Deposit so as to ascertain the geological environment and petrological characteristics of rocks within the area. Further work involved coal sampling and analysis in order to establish coal quality and its physical and chemical characteristics. Samples were collected using geological field mapping and channel sampling. Nine coal samples were collected from the coalbed and host rock, exposed along the Mbodi River, during geological field mapping using channel sampling. Furthermore, 92 rock samples were collected during geological field mapping of which 10 representative samples were selected for further analysis. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was conducted on all selected samples. Proximate analysis and ultimate analyses, and calorimetry tests were undertaken on coal samples. Three samples were selected based on calorific value for maceral identification, mineral analyses and vitrinite reflectance using petrographic study. Detailed geological mapping of the area around the Mushithe coal occurrence showed the geological setting of coal in this area. The following lithologies were identified in the study area: sandstone, mudstone, ironstone, calcrete, shale, quartzite, quartz vein with a general strike direction to the north-east. The host rocks including coal were intruded by dolerite dykes and this resulted in the devolatilization of coal. The current study concluded that the Mushithe coal was formed in a wet swampy environment. This has been confirmed based on tissue preservation index (1.69) and gelification index (2.35). Coal rank ranged from bituminous Rank C- B according to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Coal Classification (UNECE) and samples were characterised by high ash (27.90%), high moisture (10.47%) and low sulphur (0.24%). Furthermore, coal was graded below grade D based on classification for use by ESKOM which consider any calorific value below 24.5 MJ/kg to be in this category. The coal is vitrinite rich (77.75 vol%) and low in Inertinite (22.25 vol%) and devoid of Liptinite and pseudovitrinite, thus it is of good coking quality. Geochemical analysis revealed that the coal was enriched in TiO2 and Fe2O3 which was corroborated by the mineral matter which was mostly clay and pyrite. Comparatively, coal quality analysis revealed the calorific value of 14.26 MJ/kg and vitrinite reflectance between 0.94 %ROV to 1 %ROV which was less than that of the Tshikondeni Deposit but greater than that at Waterberg coalfield. The study recommends further detailed exploration of coal in the area, applying such techniques such as geophysical exploration and borehole drilling leading to resource evaluation. Further studies are recommended to provide a better interpretation of the depositional environment of coal at Mushithe as well as the effect of devolatilaziton by a dolerite dyke. / NRF