This research shows that worst-case methane-air detonation loading on coal mine seals could be more severe than the design loads required by federal regulations, and therefore mine seals should be designed with sufficient ductility beyond the elastic regime. For this study, reinforced concrete mine seals were designed according to traditional protective structural design methods to meet the federal regulation requirements, and then the response to worst-case loads was analyzed in a single-degree-ofreedom model. Coal mine seals designed to resist the regulation loads elastically experienced support rotations up to 4.27 deg when analyzed with the worst-case loads. The analysis showed that coal mine seals designed to satisfy the federal regulations can survive worst-case methane-air detonations if they have sufficient ductility, but will undergo permanent, inelastic deformation.

The underground limestone mining industry is a small, but growing segment of the U.S. crushed stone industry. However, its fatality rate has been amongst the highest of the mining sector in recent years due to ground control issues related to ground collapses. It is therefore important to improve the engineering design, monitoring and visualization of ground control by utilizing new technologies that can help an underground limestone company maintain a safe and productive operation. Photogrammetry and laser scanning are remote sensing technologies that are useful tools for collecting three-dimensional spatial data with high levels of precision for many types of mining applications. Due to the reality of budget constraints for many underground stone mining operations, this research concentrates on photogrammetry as a more accessible technology for the average operation. Despite the challenging lighting conditions and size of underground limestone mines that has previous hindered photogrammetric surveys in these environments, over 13,000 photographic images were taken over a 3-year period in active mines to compile these models. This research summarizes that work and highlights the many applications of terrestrial close-range photogrammetry, including practical methodologies for implementing the techniques in working operations to better visualize hazards and pragmatic approaches for geotechnical analysis, improved engineering design and monitoring. / M.S. / The underground limestone mining industry is a small, but growing segment of the U.S. crushed stone industry. However, its fatality rate has been amongst the highest of the mining sector in recent years due to ground control issues related to ground collapses. It is therefore important to improve the engineering design, monitoring and visualization of ground control by utilizing new technologies that can help maintain safe and productive underground stone operations. Photogrammetry and laser scanning are remote sensing technologies that are useful tools for collecting three-dimensional spatial data with high levels of precision for many different mining applications. Due to the reality of budget constraints for many mining operations, this research concentrates on photogrammetry as a more accessible technology for the average operation, despite the challenging lighting conditions and expansive size of underground limestone mines that has previous hindered photogrammetric surveys in these environments. This research focuses on the applications of photogrammetry in underground stone mines and practical methodologies for implementing the techniques in working operations to better visualize hazards for improved engineering design and infrastructure management.

Thesis (M.Eng.(Mining Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2000. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MSc (Mathematical Sciences. Applied Mathematics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / South Africa is involved in huge mining operations deep in the earth's crust. Stresses induced by these mining operations may cause seismic events or rockbursts to occur, which could damage infrastructure and put miners' lives at risk. The effect of different mining layouts are modelled and used by engineers to make design decisions. The frequency at which models are updated and integrated with the decision making process is not optimal. These large mining layouts can not be modelled adequately using domain methods, but they are particularly well suited for the boundary element method (BEM). This work focuses on the theory and background needed for creating a linear elastic static stress boundary element solver suited to South African mining layouts. It starts with linear elastic theory and subsequently describes the physical continuum, governing equations and the fundamental solutions which are an integral part of the BEM. Kelvin's solution cannot be applied to crack-like excavations, therefore the displacement discontinuity kernels, which are very well suited to model fractures, are derived. The derivation is approached from both the direct and indirect BEM's perspectives. The problem is cast as a boundary integral equation which can be solved using the BEM. Some of the different specializations of the BEM are discussed. The major drawback of the BEM is that it produces a dense influence matrix which quickly becomes intractable on desktop computers. Generally a mining layout requires a large amount of boundary elements, even for coarse discretization, therefore different techniques of representing the influence matrix are discussed, which, combined with an iterative solver like GMRES or Bi-CG, allows solving linear elastic static stress models.

M.Phil. / The mining industry in South Africa is in a process of transformation, which can be ascribed to various influences. First and foremost is the process of the conversion of mineral rights, employment equity and black economic empowerment. The ethnic distribution of mining employees at the time of the study reflected that Managers were predominantly white, the majority of Shift bosses were white and Miners were predominantly black. Central to the transformation process is maintaining and improving production output in a safe manner. Leadership in addition also impacts on health and safety in the workplace and the process to transform the organisation to world- class status commences with leadership. Transforming health and safety in the organisation to world-class status is a leadership imperative. The fatality rates in South African mines are continuously being addressed not only through initiatives from the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, but also through the various mining houses. The introduction of the Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations 29 of 1996 made a profound impact on health and safety management on South African Mines. The introduction of blasting certificate holders replaced the scheduled person (contract miner). Various mining houses grasped the opportunity and trained their own miners from previously disadvantaged communities. This also assisted in achieving transformation objectives. The fatalities on platinum mines in South Africa since 1995 have remained constant up to 2007 although a slight decrease is reported. Nevertheless, injuries and fatalities in South African mines are attracting negative attention from society and the investment community. This is not in the interest of the mining industry. Research indicates that unsafe behaviour contributes 87% and more to incidents and injuries (including fatalities) on mines. The study of behaviour as a contributing factor in organisational safety is a relatively young science since the first reported studies in the 1980's. Research in this domain strives to develop an understanding of behaviour as a contributing factor in organisational safety.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering / Regulation 10.24 of the Minerals Act (1991) of the Republic of South Africa is applied for the purpose of preventing the development and propagation of coal-dust explosions in underground coal mines. ( Abbreviation abstract ) / AC2017

Thesis (M. Dev. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / This mini-dissertation deals with the implementation of laws regulating mining industries transformation in South Africa. This mini-dissertation finds that the pace of transformation is very low and the challenges faced in the mining industries which are slowing the process are evaluated. Such challenges include: lack of skills, unqualified candidates and lack of experience. It finds that the Broad-based socio-economic empowerment (BBSEE) introduced 15% target by 2011 where only 8.9% was reached in respect of transformation and that by 2014, 26% must be met where only 17.4% at the top management is achieved. The call for nationalisation of mines as a solution to speed up transformation have also been evaluated and the Mining Qualification Authority category of providing scholarships to maths and science learners to the exclusion of other streams as transformational aspect was also evaluated. The question as to whether 26% of the historically disadvantaged South Africans occupying managerial position is enough to rectify the injustices of the apartheid ills is also looked at. A comparative study was done between South Africa, Canada and Australia to see whether lessons could be learnt. Keywords: Implementation, transformation laws, Historically Disadvantaged South Africans, Mining Qualification Authority, and Mining industry.

Department of Mining and Environmental Geology / MESC

Thesis (Ph.D. (Health Care Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Background: The health and safety of the miners in the South African mining industry are guided by the regulations and standards which are anticipated to promote a healthy work environment and fatalities. It is of utmost importance for the miners to comply with these regulations/standards to protect themselves from potential occupational health and safety risks, accidents, and fatalities. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate strategies to enhance compliance with the Health and safety standards within the mining industries of Limpopo province in South Africa. Methods: A mixed-method exploratory sequential research design was adopted. The population consisted of 5350 miners. Purposive and total sampling was used to select the participants in the qualitative strand and stratified random sampling in the quantitative strand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among the occupational health nurse practitioners and the health and members of the health and safety team. Thematic analysis was used to generate an understanding of the interviews. In the quantitative strand, a survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0. A descriptive statistical test was used in the analysis of data including frequencies, means, and standard deviation. Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure internal consistency. Results: The integrated results revealed that there are diverse experiences related to health and safety standards compliance among the mineworkers. The main findings were challenges related to leadership compliance and also related to the cost of maintaining safety, Miner's behaviour-related challenges; the impact of non-compliance on the overall health of the miners was also described, the conflict between production and safety. As a result, strategies to enhance compliance of health and safety standards at the selected mining industries in Limpopo province, South Africa were developed. Conclusion: Health and safety compliance in the mining is not just mere compliance with regulations and standards but a culture that warrants the miners and organization to take responsibility for their behaviour and actions towards health and safety. Thus taking responsibility for your well-being and other miners

Thesis (LLM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Section 24 of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 guarantees a right to a healthy and safe environment. It provides for the environment which is beneficial, conducive and productive to the community. However, this right is being violated on a daily basis by the mining companies which degrade the environment through their activities or operations within the mining communities by violating the legal regulations aimed at restoration, rehabilitation, management and prevention of degradation to the environment. Therefore this mini-dissertation advocate for stringent enforcement of the laws aimed at prevention of environmental degradation and further compels mining companies to comply with existing laws. It calls for the minister not to hesitate to revoke the mining licences or withdrawal of the mining permits of any erring mining companies. It utilises the jurisprudence from China and Australia as comparative study in order to draw relevant lessons from their approaches