Akademisk avhandling--Handelshögskolan, Stockholm. / Bibliography: p. 341-344.

Coal quality plays a crucial role both economically and environmentally in the operation of a coal-fired power plant. These plants are designed to operate most efficiently when coal of consistently good quality is used as the feed. For example, the ash content should be monitored to control slagging problems in the burners. For emission control purposes the sulfur content of the feed should be carefully scrutinized. This realization of the importance of coal quality to the end-user has made the prediction of coal quality an important concern. Computerized mine planning systems can be used to help suppliers predict the quality of future coal shipments. One such system was implemented at an underground coal mine to determine its performance in an operating environment. Following some extensive revisions to the system, the results of the implementation exercise showed the ability of this mine planning system to account for coal quality while producing a workable short-range plan. To be of direct use to the end-user, the mine planning results should be adjusted to account for mining dilution and subsequent beneficiation of the run-of-mine coal. To help power plant owners in predicting the quality of the power plant feed a computer program was developed to solve the blending problem faced by plants dependent on multiple sources of supply. This interactive program utilizes the predictions from the mine planning system to obtain a goal programming formulation of the blending problem. This type of problem formulation gives the program the flexibility needed to solve the blending problem in both long and short term time frames. Use of the program in both planning scenarios was illustrated by examples. The results showed the ability of the program to determine the best blend possible based on a set of user-specified objectives. Use of this interactive blending program in conjunction with the mine planning system provides the capability of computerized prediction of coal quality from mine mouth to blended plant feed. Implementation of these planning aids on a routine basis will assist the owners of coal-fired power plants in their attempts to maximize plant efficiency and maintain environmental standards.

M.Phil. / A research report, such as provided for Kenya Fluorspar, plays an integral part of the life of mine or project and creates a practical plan of running and developing the mine. This research report is used by the client as a practical strategic mine plan, and thus if followed as stipulated, will in the end not only pro-long the life of the mine but will achieve targeted value and tonnes for the specific plant. In many cases the smaller mining companies will attack an ore body and will as is called “pick the eyes out” of that specific ore body, thus mining just the high grade ore, make your money and get out. But if it comes to a mine that needs to pro-long the life of the mine due to community responsibility and the creation of work, then it is of essential value to do a technical strategic planning study on the ore body, creating different scenarios as to mine the ore body with emphasis on Life of the mine and in the same breath the economic viability of mining in the chosen scenario. The research report have a look at four different scenarios whereby there are certain constraints applied, and the outcome of the schedules are used to make a calculated decision on the best way of mining this specific ore body. Pit designs have been created from Whittle optimized pitshells which then have been incorporated within the schedules. It has been found that Scenarios 1 and 2 will have some years with very high waste removal, which will be above the current fleet capacity, but the required plant feed and grade would be possible from period one. Scenario 3 have proven that if fleet capacity is the main constraint then steady state of feed to the plant can only be achieved in the 7th year of production, but render no extra fleet requirements. As recommended, Scenario 4 stood to be the best if the acquisition of extra equipment is possible, and then steady state in the plant can be achieved in the 4th year with the lowest production percentage of 84% in the first year.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Early in 2001, Thabazimbi Iron Ore mine embarked upon a Leadership and Culture Change strategy. This program was one of the five strategic goals decided upon as part of the strategic drive to improve the performance of the business. A formal, structured implementation plan was crafted in house to approach the initiative. The plan was based on the literature of a number of prominent authors in the fields of leadership, competence theory and change management. The plan is built around a model known as the "Thabazimbi Thumbprint" which is primarily based on the work of Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio in the field of Transfomational Leadership, and Dr Jay Hall's research and literature on the Competence Process. The primary aims of the implementation of this strategy at the mine were to: • Address the damage done to morale and commitment levels by repeated downsizing and the threat of mine closure. • Establish a high performance team culture. • Remove blockages to performance and the development of human potential. The strategy and implementation plan of the mine is compared against current literature within the fields of leadership and change management and significant similarities are observed. Even though the implementation of this initiative has only been running for some 2 years and is far from complete, a number of significant improvements have been made in terms of collaboration, commitment, trust in management and the reduction of conflict. In addition the performance of the mine in the field of safety and health has vastly improved, the production process is currently stable and targets are met, operating costs have reduced by 4% year on year and the current life of mine has been extended to 10 years. The writer has been the Engineering Manager at the mine from December 2001 and has been responsible for the implementation of this strategy within the Engineering department of the mine. The strategy and implementation plan serves as an example of a fully integrated and comprehensive approach to implementing such an initiative, while remaining simple and practical. The author identifies a number of deficiencies within the strategy used by the mine and makes some recommendations to improve the process that should be considered with respect to the future implementations of this type of initiative. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Thabazmbi Ysterertsmyn met 'n Leierskap en Kultuur veranderingstrategie aan die begin van 2001 begin. Die program was deel van vyf strategiese besigheidsdoelwitte wat daarop gemik was om die kern te vorm van die strewe na 'n verbeterde prestasie van die besigheid. 'n Formele, gestruktureerde implementeringsplan is deur die myn ontwikkel vir die daarstelling van die inisiatief. Die plan was op die literatuur van prominente skrywers in die leierskap, bevoegtheidsteorie en veranderingsbestuur rigtings gebaseer. Die plan is gebou op 'n model bekend as die "Thabazimbi Thumbprint" en is gebaseer op die werk van Bernard Bass en Bruce Avolio in die veld van Transformasie Leierskap, en op Dr Jay Hall se navorsing en literatuur oor die "Competence Process". Die primere mikpunte van die implementeering van die strategie op die myn was die volgende: • Om die skade wat herhaalde afskalings en dreigemente van toemaak aan die moraal en toegewydheid van die werksmag gedoen het, aan te spreek. • Om 'n hoe presterende spankultuur te vestig. • Om die blokasies wat onderprestasie veroorsaak en die onderontwikkeling van menslike potensiaal uit die weg te ruim. Die strategie en implementeringsplan is met huidige literatuur in die leierskap- en kultuurveranderingsrigtings vergelyk. Daar is 'n groot mate van ooreenstemming waargeneem. Hoewel hierdie inisiatief maar slegs twee jaar aan die gang is en nog ver van klaar is, is daar al reeds 'n merkwaardige verbetering te bespeur in terme van samewerking, toewyding, die vertroue in bestuur en die vermindering van konflik. Bo en behalwe eersgenoemde pluspunte is daar ook 'n groot verbetering wat betref die gesondheid- en veiligheidsfaktore op die myn. Die produksieproses is stabiel en doelwitte word behaal. Die operasionele kostes is met 4% per jaar besnoei en die huidige lewe van die myn is verleng tot 10 jaar. Die skrywer is die Ingenieursbestuurder van die myn vanal Desember 2001 en was verantwoordelik vir die implementering van die strategie binne die ingenieursafdeling van die myn. Die strategie en implementeringsplan dien as 'n voorbeeld van 'n volledig geintegreerde benadering tot implimentering van so 'n inisiatief, terwyl dit prakties en eenvoudig bly. Die skrywer identifiseer 'n aantal leemtes binne die strategie soos deur die myn gebruik en maak aanbevelings vir die verhetering van die proses wat in die toekoms in ag geneem behoort te word in die implimentering van hierdie tipe inisiatiewe.

MENVSC (Geography) / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Science / Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has devastating impacts on different parts of the environment and is a source of environmental degradation and contamination. ASGM degrades water resources, contaminate soil, sediments and water and lead to serious land degradation problems. ASGM activities are also associated with socio-economic issues such as child labour, prostitution and health and safety concerns. Insufficient understanding of the environmental and social problems of ASGM in Giyani Greenstone Belt has led to lack of mitigation strategies to reduce such problems. The main aim of this research was to assess and manage the environmental and socio-economic impacts of ASGM in Giyani Greenstone Belt. Remote sensing and GIS and Normalised Differential Vegetation Index were used to assess the effects of mining activities on vegetation cover. Assessment of the effects of ASGM on water, sediments and soil quality involved collection of samples in order to establish their physical and chemical properties. The concentration of toxic and trace metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instruments. The pH meter was used to determine the pH level of the collected samples. Questionnaires, interviews and SPSS were used to assess socio-economic impacts of ASGM. The study culminated in devolvement of NDVI maps and this was used to assess the effects of ASGM on vegetation cover. Results showed that the mining activities in the area had caused extensive environmental degradation due to serious removal of vegetation cover in the site. ASGM had serious effects on soil, water and sediments quality such as environmental contamination by toxic and trace elements. Soil samples were found with high concentration of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn as compared to the recommended South African Soil Quality and WHO threshold values for plants. It was found that Klein Letaba had high concentration of Ba, La, V, and Ce above the World Soil Averages for plants. Sediments were heavily contaminated with Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As and Ba as compared to the recommended standards prescribed by US EPA and WHO. The pH of water, soil and sediments samples collected from both mining sites were found to be strongly alkaline which affects the plants growth as well as aquatic flora and fauna. Socio-economic issues such as child labour, injuries, educational problems, health and safety issues, police disturbance, creation of jobs and income generation were identified at mine sites. ASGM had serious effect on vegetation cover through environmental degradation. ASGM also had serious environmental contamination by toxic and trace elements. ASGM had both positive and negative socio-economic issues at mining site which include employment opportunities, income generation, occupational health and safety, police disturbance and arrests and the use of child labour. Mine site rehabilitation is recommended in this study to reduce environmental degradation. The remediation of contaminated area by concentrated toxic and trace elements should be applied at both mining sites. ASGM should be legalised to enhance positive aspects of the mining such as increase in income generation and creation of more employment opportunities. However, there should be enforcement of mining policies to reduce social and environmental problems.