Gold mine tailings material facilities are characterized by sparse vegetation and an abundance of dust. Mine tailings facilities are examples of extreme geotechnical and geochemical conditions which make it almost impossible for higher plants to establish and grow without rehabilitation intervention. In most cases higher plants such as grasses and trees are the focus areas for rehabilitation, but, having a look at something a little smaller such as biological crusts, it is seen that these micro-organisms play very important roles in any ecosystem. Various studies have shown that biological crusts, consisting of micro-organisms such as lichens, algae and cyanoprokaryotes enhance the soil quality by binding soil particles together, forming aggregates which counteract the erosive forces of wind and water. They play a part in nitrogen and carbon fixation, increase the soil surface temperature and increase the water retention of the soil. Thus, these organisms improve the overall health of the soil, which will in time encourage the successful establishment of higher plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of cyanoprokaryotes and soil algae on mine tailings storage facilities that have been rehabilitated for different periods of time as well as to correlate the presence of these species with the physical and chemical characteristics of the mine tailings material. Chemical, physical and biological analyses of soil samples were done. Some of the ecologically important and dominant species were isolated and protocols were developed in order to identify the most successful manner in which to re-inoculate the organisms to a chosen substrate and how to measure biomass. Due to the immense cost of standard rehabilitation practices there is a need for a more cost effective, sustainable manner in which to protect the tailings material against the erosive forces of wind and water with as little input as possible. The influence of an organism cultured in normal Bold’s Basal medium (BBM) growth medium, BBM growth medium with half the phosphate concentration and BBM growth medium with half the nitrate concentration on the establishment of a biological soil crust (BSC) was tested. To test the influence of the inoculums already present in the tailings material and in the air, trials with mulch, water and nutrients without the addition of an organism was also investigated. This was done in the controlled environment of a glasshouse, as well as in field conditions. The biomass of the cyanoprokaryotes and algae, as well as the soil surface strength was also tested. The results show that the time of rehabilitation did not have an influence on the cyanoprokaryotes as well as algal species that occurred on the tailings material. Chlorella sp., Chlorococcum sp. and Klebsormidium sp. were present on all six sites, except on the fresh material and 15 year old material where no rehabilitation has been done. As for dominance; Chlamydomonas sp., Chlorococcum sp., Klebsormidium sp. and Phormidium sp. were dominant on all six sites except for the fresh material, where nothing grew. An array of methods exists for measuring algal biomass as a measure of growth. During the development of protocols for further use in investigating the growth of algae, the extraction solvent ethanol, for use in chlorophyll a extraction, was identified as the most sufficient. The re-inoculation of cyanoprokaryotes and soil algae onto a chosen substrate is most successful when pouring the organisms, cultured in growth medium and 0.1% agar, over the substrate. During the glasshouse trials the influence of the growth medium and growth medium with half the nitrate and half the phosphate concentrations showed that Chlamydomonas sp. produced the highest biomass when cultured in BBM. With Nostoc sp. the highest biomass occurred with culturing in BBM and BBM with half the phosphate concentration. Microcoleus vaginatus showed no significant difference when cultured in the three different growth mediums (BBM, BBM with half the nitrate concentration and BBM with half the phosphate concentration). Overall Nostoc sp. produced the highest biomass (34.33 μg/g), followed by Microcoleus vaginatus (17.05 μg/g) and Chlamydomonas sp. (6.12 μg/g). Soil surface strength, measured with a hand held penetrometer showed that Chlamydomonas sp. cultured in BBM growth medium produced the most stable crust (2.58 kg/cm2), although it had the lowest biomass measurements (6.12 μg/g). Nostoc sp. produced the highest biomass (34.44 μg/g), but had the lowest soil surface strength results (1.75 kg/cm2). Microcoleus vaginatus proved to be the species with high biomass production (17.05 μg/g), as well as high soil surface strength (2.08 kg/cm2). M. vaginatus is also a pioneer species and is therefore a good choice as primary inoculum on bare tailings material. It was decided to use Nostoc sp. in the field trials due to its high biomass and Microcoleus vaginatus due to the high soil surface strength produced. Despite the occurrence of a severe thunder storm on the afternoon of application and poor water management during the field trials the significance of water on the establishment of soil algae and cyanoprokaryotes on tailings material was determined. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Gold mine tailings material facilities are characterized by sparse vegetation and an abundance of dust. Mine tailings facilities are examples of extreme geotechnical and geochemical conditions which make it almost impossible for higher plants to establish and grow without rehabilitation intervention. In most cases higher plants such as grasses and trees are the focus areas for rehabilitation, but, having a look at something a little smaller such as biological crusts, it is seen that these micro-organisms play very important roles in any ecosystem. Various studies have shown that biological crusts, consisting of micro-organisms such as lichens, algae and cyanoprokaryotes enhance the soil quality by binding soil particles together, forming aggregates which counteract the erosive forces of wind and water. They play a part in nitrogen and carbon fixation, increase the soil surface temperature and increase the water retention of the soil. Thus, these organisms improve the overall health of the soil, which will in time encourage the successful establishment of higher plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of cyanoprokaryotes and soil algae on mine tailings storage facilities that have been rehabilitated for different periods of time as well as to correlate the presence of these species with the physical and chemical characteristics of the mine tailings material. Chemical, physical and biological analyses of soil samples were done. Some of the ecologically important and dominant species were isolated and protocols were developed in order to identify the most successful manner in which to re-inoculate the organisms to a chosen substrate and how to measure biomass. Due to the immense cost of standard rehabilitation practices there is a need for a more cost effective, sustainable manner in which to protect the tailings material against the erosive forces of wind and water with as little input as possible. The influence of an organism cultured in normal Bold’s Basal medium (BBM) growth medium, BBM growth medium with half the phosphate concentration and BBM growth medium with half the nitrate concentration on the establishment of a biological soil crust (BSC) was tested. To test the influence of the inoculums already present in the tailings material and in the air, trials with mulch, water and nutrients without the addition of an organism was also investigated. This was done in the controlled environment of a glasshouse, as well as in field conditions. The biomass of the cyanoprokaryotes and algae, as well as the soil surface strength was also tested. The results show that the time of rehabilitation did not have an influence on the cyanoprokaryotes as well as algal species that occurred on the tailings material. Chlorella sp., Chlorococcum sp. and Klebsormidium sp. were present on all six sites, except on the fresh material and 15 year old material where no rehabilitation has been done. As for dominance; Chlamydomonas sp., Chlorococcum sp., Klebsormidium sp. and Phormidium sp. were dominant on all six sites except for the fresh material, where nothing grew. An array of methods exists for measuring algal biomass as a measure of growth. During the development of protocols for further use in investigating the growth of algae, the extraction solvent ethanol, for use in chlorophyll a extraction, was identified as the most sufficient. The re-inoculation of cyanoprokaryotes and soil algae onto a chosen substrate is most successful when pouring the organisms, cultured in growth medium and 0.1% agar, over the substrate. During the glasshouse trials the influence of the growth medium and growth medium with half the nitrate and half the phosphate concentrations showed that Chlamydomonas sp. produced the highest biomass when cultured in BBM. With Nostoc sp. the highest biomass occurred with culturing in BBM and BBM with half the phosphate concentration. Microcoleus vaginatus showed no significant difference when cultured in the three different growth mediums (BBM, BBM with half the nitrate concentration and BBM with half the phosphate concentration). Overall Nostoc sp. produced the highest biomass (34.33 μg/g), followed by Microcoleus vaginatus (17.05 μg/g) and Chlamydomonas sp. (6.12 μg/g). Soil surface strength, measured with a hand held penetrometer showed that Chlamydomonas sp. cultured in BBM growth medium produced the most stable crust (2.58 kg/cm2), although it had the lowest biomass measurements (6.12 μg/g). Nostoc sp. produced the highest biomass (34.44 μg/g), but had the lowest soil surface strength results (1.75 kg/cm2). Microcoleus vaginatus proved to be the species with high biomass production (17.05 μg/g), as well as high soil surface strength (2.08 kg/cm2). M. vaginatus is also a pioneer species and is therefore a good choice as primary inoculum on bare tailings material. It was decided to use Nostoc sp. in the field trials due to its high biomass and Microcoleus vaginatus due to the high soil surface strength produced. Despite the occurrence of a severe thunder storm on the afternoon of application and poor water management during the field trials the significance of water on the establishment of soil algae and cyanoprokaryotes on tailings material was determined. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Numerous quartz-vein hosted gold prospects in the Karibib district in central Namibia testify to the presence of a large hydrothermal system during Pan-African times in rocks of the Damara Belt and centred around the Navachab Gold Mine. This study presents the results of the regional and detailed mapping of the Navachab synform, a NE-SW trending, regional-scale structure hosting a number of these gold prospects, locally referred to as the “zoo prospects”, in the direct vicinity of the main Navachab Gold Mine. The zoo prospects are located in the marble-dominated, up to 800 m thick Karibib Formation, which forms the core of the Navachab synform. Regional mapping of the synform identified six main lithological units comprising massive and banded dolomitic and calcareous marbles, intraformational breccias and interlayered calc-silicate felses. Despite characteristic thickness variations, the six units can be correlated throughout the synform, allowing for a lithostratigraphic correlation of units in the otherwise monotonous marble sequence. All of the prospects are spatially closely associated with and adjacent to unit 5, an up to 100 m thick, competent dolomitic marble unit. This suggests a strong lithological control of the mineralisation. The first-order Navachab synform formed during the regional D2 phase of deformation. The strongly non-cylindrical, doubly-plunging fold shows open- to close interlimb angles and a pronounced NW vergence in the SW, but is tight- to isoclinal and upright in the NE. Higher fabric intensities and detachment folding are confined to the subvertical limbs of the synform in the north. Here, structures record a subhorizontal, NW-SE directed co-axial shortening strain interpreted to have developed in response to the geometric hardening and layer-normal shortening following the rotation of the fold limbs to subvertical attitudes during progressive D2 shortening. The mineralisation of the zoo prospects is located where D2 high-strain zones intersect unit 5. This suggests an additional structural control of the mineralisation. The detailed mapping of the zoo prospects identified five distinct quartz-vein sets. The geometry, orientation and progressive deformation of the vein sets indicate that veining occurred during the late stages of the D2 event and during NW-SE directed, subhorizontal shortening. Areas of increased veining and mineralisation occur preferentially in areas of strain incompatibilities, where the combined effects of D2 strains and prominent lithological contacts created zones of localized dilatancy. This includes most prominently dilational jog geometries developed between anastomosing D2 shear zones, where hydrothermal fluid flow has produced pervasive quartz-vein stockworks. This also includes areas of detachment folding, where deformation of the rheological stiffer dolomitic marbles and less competent calcareous marbles has led to detachment surfaces and, locally, dilatancy. Zones of increased permeability are also created where two or more vein sets intersect, which is particularly common within and adjacent to boudin interpartitions of competent dolomite units and along rheologically prominent contacts. The zoo prospects illustrate the interplay of (1) prominent rheological contrasts between adjacent lithologies, (2) the presence of high-strain zones, and (3) the geometry of host structures for the formation of auriferous quartz veins in the Karibib district. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Talle goud vooruitsigte, wat kwarts-aar geherberg is, in die Karibib-distrik in Sentraal-Namibië getuig van die teenwoordigheid van 'n groot hidrotermale stelsel tydens die Pan-Afrika-tye in die rotse van die Damara-Belt en is gesentreer rondom die Navachab goudmyn. Hierdie studie stel die resultate van die streeks- en gedetailleerde kartering van die Navachab sinform, 'n NW-SO neiging, streeks-skaal struktuur wat ʼn aantal van hierdie goud prospekteerplek herberg, plaaslik bekend as die "zoo prospects", in die direkte omgewing van die hoof Navachab goudmyn. Die “zoo prospects” is geleë in die marmer-gedomineerde, tot 800 m dik Karibib formasie, wat deel vorm van die kern van die Navachab sinform. Streeks kartering van die sinform het ses belangrike litologiese eenhede geidentifiseer wat uit massiewe en gestreepte dolomitiese kalk marmer, intraformasie breksie en tussengelaagdheid kalksilikaat felses bestaan. Ten spyte van die kenmerkende dikte variasies, kan die ses eenhede gekorreleer word oor die hele sinform, wat toelaat vir 'n litostratigrafiese korrelasie van eenhede in die andersins eentonige marmer opeenvolging. Al die vooruitsigte is ruimtelik verbind met en aangrensend aan Eenheid 5, 'n tot 100 m dik, bevoegde dolomitiese marmer-eenheid. Dit dui op 'n sterk litologiese beheer van die mineralisasie. Die eerste-orde Navachab sinform het gevorm tydens die plaaslike D2 fase van deformasie. Die sterk nie-silindriese, dubbelduikende plooi wys oop- tot noue tussenflankhoeke en 'n uitgespreek NW-vergensie in die SW, maar is styf- tot isoclinaal en regop in die NO. Hoër maaksel sterkte en losmaking plooie is beperk tot die subvertikale flank van die sinform in die noorde. Hierdie strukture is 'n aanduiding van 'n subhorisontale, NW-SO gerigte ko-aksiale verkorting wat geïnterpreteer is as vervorming wat ontwikkel het in reaksie op die geometriese verharding en die laag-normaal verkorting as gevolg van die rotasie van die plooi flanke tot subvertikale houdings tydens die progressiewe D2 verkorting. Die mineralisasie van die “zoo prospects” is geleë waar D2 hoë-spanning sones Eenheid 5 sny. Dit dui op 'n addisionele strukturele beheer van die mineralisasie. Die gedetailleerde kartering van die “zoo prospects” het vyf verskillende kwarts-aar stelle geïdentifiseer. Die geometrie, argitektuur en progressiewe vervorming van die aar-stelle dui daarop dat aar-vorming plaasgevind het gedurende die laat stadium van die D2 gebeurtenis en tydens die NW-SO gerugte, subhorisontale verkorting. Gebiede van verhoogde aar-vorming en mineralisasie kom verkieslik voor in die gebiede van vervorming verskille, waar die gekombineerde effek van die D2 vervorming en prominente litologiese kontakte sones van gelokaliseerde dilatansie. Dit sluit die mees prominente uitsettings uitwyking geometrie wat ontwikkel tussen anastomoserend D2 skuifskeursones, waar hidrotermale vloeistof stroming deurdringende kwarts-aar stokwerke geproduseer. Dit sluit ook die gebiede van losmaking plooie, waar die vervorming van die reologiese stywer dolomitiese marmer en minder bevoegde kalk marmer losmaking oppervlaktes gelei het, en plaaslik, dilatansie. Sones van 'n verhoogde deurlaatbaarheid is ook geskep waar twee of meer aar stelle sny, wat is veral algemeen binne en aangrensende boudin tussendeelpartisies van bevoegde dolomiet-eenhede en langs reologiese prominente kontakte. Die “zoo prospects” illustreer die wisselwerking tussen (1) prominente reologiese kontraste tussen aangrensende litologie, (2) die teenwoordigheid van hoë-spanning sones, en (3) die geometrie van die geherbergte strukture vir die vorming van goudhoudende kwarts are in die Karibib-distrik.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--Carleton University, 1992. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Lihir Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea is one of the largest gold mines in the world situated in a seismically sensitive zone. The gold deposit is located in an extinct volcano in close proximity to the sea shore and presents a series of geohazards. Some geohazards are uncommon and include: geothermal outbursts, cavities, water inrush and earthquake/ tsunami. After a major multi-batter (5 benches high) slope failure that occurred on the 1st of October 2009, a team of engineers, lead by the author investigated the incident and made series of recommendations. Arising out of these recommendations, a comprehensive Geohazard Management Plan was formulated by revisiting, revising and putting together all the individual geohazard management plans as a single document. This thesis describes the outcomes of the investigation and presents an overview and systematic approach in formulation of the Geohazard Management Plan, apart from a summary of the gaps that were identified in the existing system, major contributions that were made as well as the expected improvements and constraints in managing these geohazards. / Mining Engineering

One of the most important properties of an explosive is its velocity of detonation (VOD). It is essential that the explosive should detonate at its optimum rate and release sufficient detonation pressure to get good fragmentation under the existing field conditions. The main objectives of this research study are to investigate the effects of explosive type, blast hole diameter, and degree of confinement on the VOD of bulk ANFO and bulk emulsion in Kumtor Open Pit Gold Mine. In this study, the continuous resistance wire method is employed to measure in-situ VOD of both bulk ANFO and bulk emulsion. The VOD values are measured for different hole diameters and under different confinements for both explosives. The ideality of bulk ANFO and bulk emulsion is calculated by comparing the in-situ measured VOD&rsquo / s and their ideal detonation values. It is found that the VOD of both explosives increases as the blast hole diameter and the degree of confinement increases. In addition to this, VOD of bulk ANFO decreases when it gets wet in the blast hole. Another finding is that, proportion of bulk emulsion ingredients has influence on its VOD. This research study provides a good understanding to use suitable explosive in existing rock conditions in Kumtor Open Pit Gold Mine.

The use of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) as (i) covers for arsenic-rich gold mine tailings and landfills, (ii) subsurface barrier for migration of hydrocarbons in the Arctic, and (iii) basal liner for sewage treatment lagoons were examined. After 4 years in field and laboratory experiments, it was found that best cover configuration above gold mine tailings might include a layer of GCL product with polymer-enhanced bentonite and a geofilm-coated carrier geotextile serving above the tailings under ≥ 0.7 m overburden. However, acceptable performance could be achieved with using a standard GCL with untreated bentonite provided that there is a minimum of 0.7 m of cover soil above the GCL. When GCL samples were exhumed from experimental landfill test cover with complete replacement of sodium in the bentonite with divalent cations in the adjacent soil, it was observed that the (i) hydraulic head across the GCLs, (ii) size of the needle-punched bundles, and (iii) structure of the bentonite can all significantly affect the value of the inferred in-situ hydraulic conductivity measured at the laboratory. The higher the hydraulic head and the larger the size of the needle-punched bundles, the higher the likelihood of internal erosion/structural change of bentonite at bundles that will cause a preferential flow for liquids to occur. A key practical implication was that GCLs can perform effectively as a single hydraulic barrier in covers provided that the water head above the GCL kept low. The hydraulic performance of a GCL in the Arctic was most affected by the location within the soil profile relative to the typical groundwater level with the highest increase in the hydraulic conductivity (by 1-4 orders of magnitude) for GCL below the water table. However, because the head required for jet fuel to pass through the GCL was higher than that present under field conditions, there was no evidence of jet fuel leakage through the barrier system. The leakage through GCLs below concrete lined sewage treatment lagoons was within acceptable limits, in large part, due to the low interface transmissivity between GCLs and the overlying poured concrete. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-02-28 08:53:29.171

No description available.

This research is on mines that struggle to obtain closure from the state departments. The closure process at the footprints of five Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) of a South African gold mine was investigated. They are situated in the Germiston, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel suburbs of the East Rand region of Johannesburg. Very limited scientific research has been done in South Africa on the management of mine closure. The most recent performed research was completed at Coal mines and only one was at an underground gold mine. The history of the case studies at a surface gold mine revealed similar problems, as confirmed in previous research, during the interviews with mine management and the review of operational documents. There is a whole array of causes giving rise to the struggle to obtain closure by a mine, that will be subsequently discussed. Major causes are the lack of estimation of closure costs and the lack of a proper Project Life Cycle (PLC) process for closure by mine management. Previous investigations indicated a general shortfall in estimated closure costs, mining operations that are not planned with closure in mind, closure objectives that are not set at all management levels, final land use after mine closure that is not defined properly, residual and latent impacts that are not dealt with, the post-closure period when the final impact will occur that is not defined and a proper risk assessment based on detailed information that is not properly done and communicated. Another cause is that the integrated process of making closure part of the Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) process is not followed. The result of not following the correct process is that mines do not obtain closure. Another reason why mines do not obtain closure is because of an underdeveloped mine infrastructure, e.g. tailings facilities, waste rock dumps, shafts and plants that are not constructed in an environmentally friendly way during the operational phases to facilitate closure. Therefore, these structures need to be changed in terms of their topography and growth medium to ensure an improvement in environmental parameters. This will assist in obtaining sustainability and final closure. Significantly more trust fund money than initially estimated during operations needs to be spent to ensure the above change. Specific issues defined from the case studies were the adaptation of the administration of the closure process, the management of risks, especially the differences in opinions, the management of the mine life cycle for closure and involvement of the land owners and Interested and Affected Parties (l&APs). This research was necessary because companies are uncertain and lack the competency to estimate and to correctly spend trust fund money in order to be sure of obtaining closure. This situation threatens the long-term survival of mining-companies by holding assets and profits back until closure is attained. The state departments also have to address the risks and have to rehabilitate the polluted mine sites if companies do not obtain closure. A proper PLC to facilitate closure was compiled from the above-mentioned data. An important fact to bear in mind is that the activities within the life cycle depend on one another. Therefore, when one activity is disregarded or not properly performed, it will influence the outcome of the remaining activities. The methodology of the research was as follows: Categories to evaluate the closure process of the selected case studies were determined from the project life cycle and the management principles of the literature review. Thereafter a questionnaire was developed from these categories. The questionnaire was subsequently used to guide interviews. After the interviews these categories and findings from the questionnaire were combined and summarised into key findings. The key findings of the research were: • The driving force behind obtaining closure must shift from the State Departments to the mining companies. They must realise there is an opportunity during the closure process to make money and to minimise their long-term liability. The mining company must thus drive the closure process to obtain environmental sustainability. • The gold mines do have problems in terms of cost estimation and trust fund expenditure at their TSF footprints during the closure process. The reasons were a mismanagement of the closure process and making use of a limited information system to make decisions. • A proper closure process does exist, but it can be improved to ensure all interested and affected parties have the same expectations from closure. • There are many activities in the closure process flow diagram which were not properly attended to according to the case studies. • A conceptual closure plan and a draft rehabilitation plan with broad objectives, policies and strategies with detailed descriptions were not compiled during the operational phase, because limited scientific monitoring information was gathered to do a proper risk assessment and some l&APs consultation was done mainly with the material and land owners on a one on one basis. From these key findings the following recommendations could be formulated: • Any mining operation should conduct a closure audit at least every second year and before mining activities change. • A searchable record keeping system must be established to keep track of the closure life cycle development. • Detailed conceptual and final closure plans need to capture the data from the audits and record keeping system. • A communication forum with company management and environmental specialists needs to be established. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This research is on mines that struggle to obtain closure from the state departments. The closure process at the footprints of five Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) of a South African gold mine was investigated. They are situated in the Germiston, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel suburbs of the East Rand region of Johannesburg. Very limited scientific research has been done in South Africa on the management of mine closure. The most recent performed research was completed at Coal mines and only one was at an underground gold mine. The history of the case studies at a surface gold mine revealed similar problems, as confirmed in previous research, during the interviews with mine management and the review of operational documents. There is a whole array of causes giving rise to the struggle to obtain closure by a mine, that will be subsequently discussed. Major causes are the lack of estimation of closure costs and the lack of a proper Project Life Cycle (PLC) process for closure by mine management. Previous investigations indicated a general shortfall in estimated closure costs, mining operations that are not planned with closure in mind, closure objectives that are not set at all management levels, final land use after mine closure that is not defined properly, residual and latent impacts that are not dealt with, the post-closure period when the final impact will occur that is not defined and a proper risk assessment based on detailed information that is not properly done and communicated. Another cause is that the integrated process of making closure part of the Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) process is not followed. The result of not following the correct process is that mines do not obtain closure. Another reason why mines do not obtain closure is because of an underdeveloped mine infrastructure, e.g. tailings facilities, waste rock dumps, shafts and plants that are not constructed in an environmentally friendly way during the operational phases to facilitate closure. Therefore, these structures need to be changed in terms of their topography and growth medium to ensure an improvement in environmental parameters. This will assist in obtaining sustainability and final closure. Significantly more trust fund money than initially estimated during operations needs to be spent to ensure the above change. Specific issues defined from the case studies were the adaptation of the administration of the closure process, the management of risks, especially the differences in opinions, the management of the mine life cycle for closure and involvement of the land owners and Interested and Affected Parties (l&APs). This research was necessary because companies are uncertain and lack the competency to estimate and to correctly spend trust fund money in order to be sure of obtaining closure. This situation threatens the long-term survival of mining-companies by holding assets and profits back until closure is attained. The state departments also have to address the risks and have to rehabilitate the polluted mine sites if companies do not obtain closure. A proper PLC to facilitate closure was compiled from the above-mentioned data. An important fact to bear in mind is that the activities within the life cycle depend on one another. Therefore, when one activity is disregarded or not properly performed, it will influence the outcome of the remaining activities. The methodology of the research was as follows: Categories to evaluate the closure process of the selected case studies were determined from the project life cycle and the management principles of the literature review. Thereafter a questionnaire was developed from these categories. The questionnaire was subsequently used to guide interviews. After the interviews these categories and findings from the questionnaire were combined and summarised into key findings. The key findings of the research were: • The driving force behind obtaining closure must shift from the State Departments to the mining companies. They must realise there is an opportunity during the closure process to make money and to minimise their long-term liability. The mining company must thus drive the closure process to obtain environmental sustainability. • The gold mines do have problems in terms of cost estimation and trust fund expenditure at their TSF footprints during the closure process. The reasons were a mismanagement of the closure process and making use of a limited information system to make decisions. • A proper closure process does exist, but it can be improved to ensure all interested and affected parties have the same expectations from closure. • There are many activities in the closure process flow diagram which were not properly attended to according to the case studies. • A conceptual closure plan and a draft rehabilitation plan with broad objectives, policies and strategies with detailed descriptions were not compiled during the operational phase, because limited scientific monitoring information was gathered to do a proper risk assessment and some l&APs consultation was done mainly with the material and land owners on a one on one basis. From these key findings the following recommendations could be formulated: • Any mining operation should conduct a closure audit at least every second year and before mining activities change. • A searchable record keeping system must be established to keep track of the closure life cycle development. • Detailed conceptual and final closure plans need to capture the data from the audits and record keeping system. • A communication forum with company management and environmental specialists needs to be established. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.