Windblown dust remains a persistent problem within South African urban and peri-urban areas due to the prevailing dry climatic conditions, extensive surface mining and mineral processing. Despite deposition monitoring guidelines and national dust regulations, South Africa still has persistent dust problems in especially gold mining districts. The main aim of the research is to critically evaluate all the potential challenges within dust management which could be responsible for persistent dust problems within gold mining regions of South Africa. The research methodology included a literature review to provide important information regarding the requirements for successful dust management internationally. Data were gathered by using the survey method through questionnaires and interviews as this type of survey method allows for descriptive reporting where respondents provide information on their attitudes and perceptions. In total 37 questionnaires were distributed among two district municipalities, seven gold mining companies, ten interested and affected parties including two non-governmental organizations, as well as five specialists. A total response rate of 81.1 % was achieved. The results of the questionnaires revealed that the most significant challenges to dust management within gold mining regions of South Africa are the following: monitoring networks; monitoring methods; deposition standards; financial provisions; technical skills and capacity; lack of specific dust management plans within air quality management plans; limited regulation and enforcement; limited information and participation of government, lack of participation of interested and affected parties as well as specialists‟ expertise. All the challenges identified were then successfully linked back to the referenced literature from which the challenges were initially derived. The main aim of this research was thus successfully completed by initially identifying the challenges facing dust management within gold mining regions of South Africa and then critically evaluating them and making recommendations. / M. Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The energy provider in South Africa, Eskom, faces an increasing electricity demand. The need to ensure sufficient supply gave rise to Demand Side Management (DSM) projects scheme. The DSM focus has shifted to the mining sector in South Africa. The large electricity use of the mining sector ensured the need for Energy Services Companies (ESCo’s). The ESCo is contracted to ensure energy savings of DSM projects implemented within the multiple sectors such as mining industry. The mining sector business model has the constant pressure to increase gold production. This pressure to expand has led to rapid expansion plans to increase the gold output for the relevant company. The expansion process and production increase in turn increases the electricity consumption. Compressed air use is a large contributing factor to the monthly electricity use as it is widely used within the mine sector. The implementation of a DSM project on the compressed air ring of an expanding gold mine was the focus of the study. This case study focused on an expanding gold mine within South Africa. The DSM lifecycle was followed to initially determine the DSM saving potential. The possible control strategies were investigated with simulation models and savings calculations. The viable option was to be implemented with a preliminary control philosophy. Results were in turn compared with the initial investigations and control philosophy. The deviations as experienced with implementation were addressed and a potential sustainable control philosophy for an expanding gold mine was constructed. The results indicated, verified Eskom peak clip electricity savings of 2.165 MW of the 2.4 MW target. The energy efficiency component for these performance assessment months was 1.944 MW of the targeted 1.5 MW. The sustainability of the system was proven with production increase on an expanding gold mine. / MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Windblown dust remains a persistent problem within South African urban and peri-urban areas due to the prevailing dry climatic conditions, extensive surface mining and mineral processing. Despite deposition monitoring guidelines and national dust regulations, South Africa still has persistent dust problems in especially gold mining districts. The main aim of the research is to critically evaluate all the potential challenges within dust management which could be responsible for persistent dust problems within gold mining regions of South Africa. The research methodology included a literature review to provide important information regarding the requirements for successful dust management internationally. Data were gathered by using the survey method through questionnaires and interviews as this type of survey method allows for descriptive reporting where respondents provide information on their attitudes and perceptions. In total 37 questionnaires were distributed among two district municipalities, seven gold mining companies, ten interested and affected parties including two non-governmental organizations, as well as five specialists. A total response rate of 81.1 % was achieved. The results of the questionnaires revealed that the most significant challenges to dust management within gold mining regions of South Africa are the following: monitoring networks; monitoring methods; deposition standards; financial provisions; technical skills and capacity; lack of specific dust management plans within air quality management plans; limited regulation and enforcement; limited information and participation of government, lack of participation of interested and affected parties as well as specialists‟ expertise. All the challenges identified were then successfully linked back to the referenced literature from which the challenges were initially derived. The main aim of this research was thus successfully completed by initially identifying the challenges facing dust management within gold mining regions of South Africa and then critically evaluating them and making recommendations. / M. Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The energy provider in South Africa, Eskom, faces an increasing electricity demand. The need to ensure sufficient supply gave rise to Demand Side Management (DSM) projects scheme. The DSM focus has shifted to the mining sector in South Africa. The large electricity use of the mining sector ensured the need for Energy Services Companies (ESCo’s). The ESCo is contracted to ensure energy savings of DSM projects implemented within the multiple sectors such as mining industry. The mining sector business model has the constant pressure to increase gold production. This pressure to expand has led to rapid expansion plans to increase the gold output for the relevant company. The expansion process and production increase in turn increases the electricity consumption. Compressed air use is a large contributing factor to the monthly electricity use as it is widely used within the mine sector. The implementation of a DSM project on the compressed air ring of an expanding gold mine was the focus of the study. This case study focused on an expanding gold mine within South Africa. The DSM lifecycle was followed to initially determine the DSM saving potential. The possible control strategies were investigated with simulation models and savings calculations. The viable option was to be implemented with a preliminary control philosophy. Results were in turn compared with the initial investigations and control philosophy. The deviations as experienced with implementation were addressed and a potential sustainable control philosophy for an expanding gold mine was constructed. The results indicated, verified Eskom peak clip electricity savings of 2.165 MW of the 2.4 MW target. The energy efficiency component for these performance assessment months was 1.944 MW of the targeted 1.5 MW. The sustainability of the system was proven with production increase on an expanding gold mine. / MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013