Areas underlain by dolomite pose a risk for sinkhole and doline development and subsequently have serious implications towards the safe planning of towns. Research also indicates that almost all sinkholes and dolines formed on dolomitic areas were man-induced and may be contributed to a lack of informed decision making by town planners. Consequently, town-planning decisions must have a guiding plan to avoid unsuitable development on such areas. Such a guiding plan was identified as a Dolomite Risk Management Plan (DRMP). A DRMP has in recent years become a legal responsibility, to be implemented where development is taking place on areas underlain by dolomite according to SANS 1936 and the Geoscience Amendment Act, (16 of 2010). There however currently exists a need to determine to what extent a DRMP contributes to the town planning decisions making process. The aim of this study is to determine to what extent currently existing Dolomite Risk Management Plans contribute to a town planning decision-making process by means of the analysis of four case studies. Four case studies were assessed against a framework compiled through a literature study of all applicable legislation to determine to which extent each complies with the compulsory legislation in South Africa needed to guide safe and sustainable development. The study indicated that a need existed for a DRMP to guide town-planning decisions because it is people‟s constitutional right to be protected and to live in a safe environment. It was also concluded, through the random sampling and assessment of available results from four case studies against criteria from applicable legislation, that currently only 50% are capable of informing and guiding town planning decisions adequately. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Areas underlain by dolomite pose a risk for sinkhole and doline development and subsequently have serious implications towards the safe planning of towns. Research also indicates that almost all sinkholes and dolines formed on dolomitic areas were man-induced and may be contributed to a lack of informed decision making by town planners. Consequently, town-planning decisions must have a guiding plan to avoid unsuitable development on such areas. Such a guiding plan was identified as a Dolomite Risk Management Plan (DRMP). A DRMP has in recent years become a legal responsibility, to be implemented where development is taking place on areas underlain by dolomite according to SANS 1936 and the Geoscience Amendment Act, (16 of 2010). There however currently exists a need to determine to what extent a DRMP contributes to the town planning decisions making process. The aim of this study is to determine to what extent currently existing Dolomite Risk Management Plans contribute to a town planning decision-making process by means of the analysis of four case studies. Four case studies were assessed against a framework compiled through a literature study of all applicable legislation to determine to which extent each complies with the compulsory legislation in South Africa needed to guide safe and sustainable development. The study indicated that a need existed for a DRMP to guide town-planning decisions because it is people‟s constitutional right to be protected and to live in a safe environment. It was also concluded, through the random sampling and assessment of available results from four case studies against criteria from applicable legislation, that currently only 50% are capable of informing and guiding town planning decisions adequately. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Development on dolomite poses a risk due to the possible formation of instability features such as sinkholes. Most of these features are however man-induced, and the risk associated with development on dolomitic areas can be mitigated through correct management. Therefore, since the Tlokwe City Council is accountable for safe development within its jurisdiction, a Dolomite Risk Management Strategy (DRMS) should be put in place. There are several factors that contribute to the risk for development on dolomite. These factors can be catagorised into two groups that should be considered during the hazard identification process, namely physical factors that consists of geology, geohydrology and geotechnical, and anthropogenic factors that consists of existing infrastructure and development, land use planning, as well as social structure and awareness. These factors are assessed by means of a risk assessment in order to obtain a disaster risk score for different areas within the study area. Based on this score, priority focus areas can be identified, mainly for critically important further research before any development can be allowed or mitigation measures implemented. Once these research activities are completed, a DRMS can be compiled based on the guidelines set by SANS 1936, which will promote the safety of people and property when further development on dolomite takes place. Urgent and interim mitigation measures are proposed to manage the risk during further research activities. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Development on dolomite poses a risk due to the possible formation of instability features such as sinkholes. Most of these features are however man-induced, and the risk associated with development on dolomitic areas can be mitigated through correct management. Therefore, since the Tlokwe City Council is accountable for safe development within its jurisdiction, a Dolomite Risk Management Strategy (DRMS) should be put in place. There are several factors that contribute to the risk for development on dolomite. These factors can be catagorised into two groups that should be considered during the hazard identification process, namely physical factors that consists of geology, geohydrology and geotechnical, and anthropogenic factors that consists of existing infrastructure and development, land use planning, as well as social structure and awareness. These factors are assessed by means of a risk assessment in order to obtain a disaster risk score for different areas within the study area. Based on this score, priority focus areas can be identified, mainly for critically important further research before any development can be allowed or mitigation measures implemented. Once these research activities are completed, a DRMS can be compiled based on the guidelines set by SANS 1936, which will promote the safety of people and property when further development on dolomite takes place. Urgent and interim mitigation measures are proposed to manage the risk during further research activities. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Due to the inherent hazardous characteristics associated with dolomite and development on dolomite, quantification of the stability attributes related to dolomite is essential. In large parts of South Africa, development on dolomite is inevitable due to the location thereof. The purpose of this study is to define an implementation framework for decision-making with regards to development on dolomite. The decision-making process is based on a dolomite stability investigation conducted by AGES North West (AGES, 2012) within Sarafina, Ikageng. The results from this study are interpreted by means of a decision support system that is based on the geo-environmental setting of the study area and the geotechnical properties related to the subsurface profile. This includes but is not limited to: Geo-environmental site conditions: • Drainage • Topography • Geophysical conditions • Regional geological conditions • Local geological conditions • Regional groundwater conditions • Local groundwater conditions Geotechnical stability of the dolomite based on the hazard characterisation and evaluation procedures: • Percussion drilling data • Receptacle development • Mobilisation agencies • Potential surface manifestation development space • Nature and mobilisation potential of the blanketing layer • The bedrock morphology These parameters are all inter-related and affect each other in various ways. During the study the importance of site specific observations and interpretations are emphasized. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Due to the inherent hazardous characteristics associated with dolomite and development on dolomite, quantification of the stability attributes related to dolomite is essential. In large parts of South Africa, development on dolomite is inevitable due to the location thereof. The purpose of this study is to define an implementation framework for decision-making with regards to development on dolomite. The decision-making process is based on a dolomite stability investigation conducted by AGES North West (AGES, 2012) within Sarafina, Ikageng. The results from this study are interpreted by means of a decision support system that is based on the geo-environmental setting of the study area and the geotechnical properties related to the subsurface profile. This includes but is not limited to: Geo-environmental site conditions: • Drainage • Topography • Geophysical conditions • Regional geological conditions • Local geological conditions • Regional groundwater conditions • Local groundwater conditions Geotechnical stability of the dolomite based on the hazard characterisation and evaluation procedures: • Percussion drilling data • Receptacle development • Mobilisation agencies • Potential surface manifestation development space • Nature and mobilisation potential of the blanketing layer • The bedrock morphology These parameters are all inter-related and affect each other in various ways. During the study the importance of site specific observations and interpretations are emphasized. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013