The purpose of this study was to explore the strategising practices of chartered accountants (CAs) in the South African mining industry. Few studies have dealt with the practical skills CAs employ when they engage in strategising practices and, in particular, a gap could be identified on how CAs engage with strategy tools during strategising. Approximately two thirds of all directors in South Africa are CAs and only 11% of directors who are CAs also hold master‟s degrees in business administration. The question then arises of how do CAs engage with strategy tools during strategising? This study applied key concepts of social practice theory to explore the strategising practices of CAs from a strategy-as-practice perspective. The strategy-as-practice perspective entails studying strategy practitioners within their social constructs. The context of this study was the South African mining industry, a landscape seen as an essential part of the South African economy. An exploratory qualitative research design was applied whereby one-on-one interchanges during individual interviews provided rich, detailed descriptions of how CA strategists use strategy tools when they engage in strategising practices. The social nature of the practices and praxis of strategy practitioners from a strategy-as-practice perspective constantly changes. As such, the current study was conducted from a constructivist paradigm to describe the narrative reality of the strategy practitioners as they engage with strategy tools. The findings of the study portrayed participants as bricoleurs of strategy tools, i.e. craftspeople who adapted and interpreted strategy tools from an accounting perspective to serve the requirements of the situation they face. / Financial Accounting / M. Phil. (Accounting Sciences)

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Due to economic and environmental constraints mining operations are placed under increasing pressure to effectively manage and operate tailings disposal operations. Restrictions imposed on water usage and tailings operations footprint have led to higher density and wider particle size distribution slurries conveyed to tailings areas. One means of efficiently disposing the tailings is co-disposal. In this method a concentrated fine vehicle slurry is used to convey a coarser fraction. This produces a higher density of tailings, with a number of advantages both upstream and downstream of the tailings process. Limited research has been conducted on the effect of coarse particles on the non-Newtonian rheological properties of these slurries. This lack of information complicates the design and reliable operation of these systems. This project aims at gaining a clearer understanding as to the mechanisms involved in the addition of coarse particles to a fine clay slurry vehicle; and to provide a means of estimating the measured slurry rheological properties. A number of experiments were designed to test the slurry (both Kaolin only, and Kaolin-coarse particle mixtures) rheological properties using a Couette viscometer (for the dynamic flow properties of yield stress and plastic viscosity) and a vane instrument (for the static yield stress measurements). The slurries were prepared in varying Kaolin clay solids concentrations with reverse osmosis water. Glass beads and two types of industrial sand were used as the coarse fractions. All of the coarse particles had a similar size but varied significantly in shape. Slurry pH and temperature readings were monitored throughout the tests. Tests were done initially on clay only slurries. The rheological properties of these slurries were repeatable, and no noticeable variations of properties with time were observed. The yield stress (both static and dynamic) and plastic viscosity data were well correlated with established relationships. Coarse particles were added to the clay only slurries, and then removed. The remaining clay only slurry exhibited the same rheological properties as the initial clay only slurry. The presence of coarse particles increased all the measured rheological properties (i.e. dynamic yield stress, Bingham viscosity, and static vane yield stress) in a fashion resembling the effect of adding clay to a clay only slurry. In addition, the change in measured rheological property by addition of coarse particle was independent of the clay fraction in the clay slurry. Furthermore, with both the clay only slurries and clay and coarse sand slurries, a constant linear relationship existed between the static and dynamic yield stress. Several correlations from the literature were found to provide reasonable prediction of the rheological property variations observed. These empirical and semi-empirical models however did little to explain the mechanisms involved in coarse particle addition. A new correlation has been proposed, Residual Clay Concentration, which predicts the change in rheological property based on an additional clay concentration, which in turn is a linear function of the coarse particle concentration. The accuracy of this model further strengthens the belief that the coarse particle acts in a similar fashion to a floc. By means of a case study example the importance of selecting an appropriate model for design was illustrated. The Residual Clay Concentration method provided the most conservative results. This combined with its theoretical basis strengthens the models recommendation for use in design. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As gevolg van ekonomiese en omgewings beperkinge word mynwese nywerhede onder toenemende druk geplaas om doeltreffende afvalstroom bestuur en operasie toe te pas. Beperkinge geplaas op water gebruik en afvalstroom area-groote ly tot hoër digthede en wyer partikel-grooteverspreidings van flodders vervoer na afval areas. Een manier om van die afval doeltreffend ontslae te raak en te berg is deur medeberging. In die metode word ‘n gekonsentreerde fyn flodder gebruik as draer van ‘n growwer partikel-fraksie. Dit ly tot ‘n hoër digtheid flodder, met verskeie voordele in beide die op – en afstroom prosesse. Beperkte navorsing is gedoen op die effek van growwe partikels op die nie-Newoniese rheolgiese eienskappe van hierdie flodders. Hierdie tekort aan informasie maak die effektiewe, betroubare bedryf en operasie van die sisteme meer ingewikkeld. Hierdie projek is daarheen gemik om ‘n beter begrip te ontwikkel met betrekking tot die meganismes betrokke in die byvoeging van growwe partikels aan ‘n fyn klei-agtige flodder draer; en om ‘n manier te voorsien wat die rheologiese eienskappe kan beraam. Verskeie eksperimente was ontwerp om die flodders (beide slegs Kaolien, en Kaoliengrowwe partikel mengsels) se rheologiese eienskappe te toets deur die gebruik van ‘n Couette-viskometer. Die Couette viskometer was gebruik om die dinamiese eienskappe (van grens-spanning, en plastiese viskositet) te meet. ‘n Vaan apparaat is gebruik om die eienskap van statiese grens-spanning te meet. Die flodders was voorberei in verskeie Kaolien konsentrasies met tru-osmosis water. Glas krale en twee tipes industriële sand is gebruik as die growwe fraksies. Al die growwe partikels het soortgelyke groottes gehad, maar het grootliks verskil in vorm. Die flodder pH en temperatuur lesings is deurentyd nagegaan. Toetse was aanvanklik gedoen op die klei-alleenlike flodders. Die gemete reologiese eienskappe van die flodders was herhaalbaar, en geen opmerkbare veranderinge van die eienskappe met betrekking tot tyd is gemeet nie. Die grens-spanning (beide statiese en dinamiese) en plastiese viskositeit is goed gekorrelleer met gevestigde verhoudinge. Growwe partikels is aan die klei-alleenlike flodders bygevoeg, en daarnae verwyder. Die oorblywende klei-alleenlike flodder het dieselfde gemete rheologiese eienskappe getoon as die oorspronklike klei-allenlike flodder. Die teenwoordigheid van growwe partikels het na ‘n toename van al die gamete rheologiese eienskappe gelei wat fisies baie soortgelyk is aan die byvoeging van klei tot ‘n klei-alleenlike flodder. Verder, met beide die klei-alleenlike en klei-growwe partikel flodders het ‘n konstante liniëre funksie tussen die statiese en dinamiese grens-spannings bestaan. Verskeie verhoudings uit die literatuur het goeie korrelasie bewerkstellig met die waargenome rheologie veranderinge. Hierdie empiriese en semi-empiriese modelle doen egter min om die megansimes betrokke in die toevoeging van growwe partikels te verduidelik. ‘n Nuwe korrelasie is voorgestel, naamlik die Residu Klei Konsentrasie. Hierdie model voorspel die verandering in reologiese eienskappe gebaseer op ‘n addisionele klei konsentrasie, wat ‘n liniëre funkise is van die growwe partikel konsentrasie. Die goeie korrelasie gesien met die model versterk die idée dat die growwe partikel in ‘n soortgelyke manier as ‘n flok gedra in die teenwoordigheid van ander flokke. Deur middel van ‘n tipiese industriële voorbeeld is die belangrikheid in die keuse van die regte korrelasie geillustreer. Die Residu Klei Konsentrasie metode het die mees konservatiewe resultate gelewer. Hierdie feit gekombineerd met die model se soliede teoreitiese beginsels versterk dit as voorgestelde korrelasie vir ontwerp.

Thesis (MDF)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / The continent of Africa is often recognised more for its problems and conflicts than for its successes. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources, the continent has also suffered from the ‘resource curse’ with many of its troubles directly linked to resource conflicts. Project-finance provides a unique opportunity for unlocking the continent’s resources by structuring arrangements which can allay investor concerns. This report contributes to the discourse on Africa’s development by unpacking some of the key issues which will enable and fast-track future investment on the continent. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate how subjective risk analysis and decision making affect risk-based lending. Tied to this was the examination of five risk categories and how these influence the decisions of project-finance loan officers. The particular focus of this study was in the mining sector. This study reviewed a comprehensive body of the literature which found that corruption and political risk were of great influence on lenders’ perception of risk. This study also reviewed the cognitive psychology literature in order to understand how decision makers process information cues. A quantitative method was then employed in order to understand how project-finance lenders respond to project-finance risk information cues. The results of the study were that, when considering mining projects in Africa, political and market risk have significant influence on the decisions of lenders. This finding confirms that there remain key issues which must be recognised and addressed if the continent is to generate and sustain long-term wealth.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suksesvolle eksplorasieprojekte en die daaropvolgende mynboubedrywighede kan as die stimulus dien vir ekonomiese groei in Suider Afrika deur middel van werkskepping, beter lewensomstandighede, en uiteindelik ekonomiese en polilieke stabilileit. Mynbou het die vermoe om dit te bewerkstellig. Die doel is om uiteindelik 'n langtermyn, veilige, vredevolle en vooruitstrewende oplossing vir die streek te vind, wat volgehoue groei gebaseer op 'n ekonomiese opbloei veroorsaak deur die implementering van suksesvolle mynbouprojekte en vooruitstrrewendheid tot gevolg het. Om dit reg te kry, is 'n deeglike en volledige studie betreffende alle moontlike risiko's, polities, ekonomies en sosiaal, wat sulke bedrywighede kan beinvloed, noodsaaklik. Ongelukkig ly die streek aan 'n gebrek aan buitelandse vaste investering as gevolg van burokrasie, politieke onstabiliteit en 'n onsekere veiligheidsituasie. Die hoof doel van hierdie studie is om 'n model daar te stel wat gebruik kan word om 'n voorlopige ontleding van 'n land se risikofaklore aangaande die algemene besigheids- en beleggingsklimaat te doen, soos gesien uit die oogpunt van beleggers in eksplorasie en mynbouprojekte. Angola en Zimbabwe, waar mynbou 'n groot rol kan speel, is geidentifiseer op die basis van die kwalitiet van hul mineraalafsettings en mynboupotensiaal. Deur gebruik te maak van die model wat in hierdie studie ontwikkel is waar gradering berus op 'Politieke', 'Finansiele', 'Sosiale Risiko', asook 'Eienaarsrisiko' onderskeidelik, gradeer Angola as 'n CBCB land met 'n matig stabiele omgewing om eksplorasie en mynbouprojekte van stapel te stuur. Dit is 'n land met uitgebreide minerale moontlikhede en alhoewel die infrastruktuur op hierdie stadium te kort skiet, het die land drie groot hawens. Geen groot bedreigings of destabiliserende faktore bestaan op die kort- tot medium termyn nie. Dit het die vermoe om tot 'n BBCB status oor die medium- tot lang termyn te beweeg. Zimbabwe verwerf 'n gradering van DDC+C, wat dui op 'n hoogs riskante omgewing om eksplorasie en mynbouprojekle van stapel te stuur. Niemand is seker wat die huidige verkiesing en die toekomstige politieke bedeling sal voortbring nie. Die huidige situasie kan amper net verbeter vir die land en sy mense met die moontlikheid van 'n regering van nasionale eenheid. Alhoewel die land dalk nog nie sy onderste draaipunt bereik het nie, kan 'n gradering van CC+C+C+ 'n moontlikheid oor die medium termyn wees, en selfs beter op die langtermyn. In 'n land met enorme minerale moontlikhede het die tyd aangebreek om te begin soek na geskikte gebiede vir eksplorasie doeleindes. Zimbabwe het die potensiaal om weer Afrika se kosmandjie te word met ondersteuning van die mynboukant. 'n Regverdige demokratiesverkose regering en baie harde werk, toewyding en deursettingsvermoe is nodig om uiteidelik te seevier. Laastens, die belangrikste deel van die risikobepaling van 'n land kom in die vorm van politieke risiko, en meer spesifiek, "leiersrisiko". Ongelukkig is die grootste struikelblok in langtermyn-vooruitskatting die feit dat die status quo vir die volgende dekade geldig kan bly, of amper oornag omvergegooi kan word. Dit kan weer lei tot 'n kettingreaksie reg deur al die sfere van die politieke en sosioekonomiese orde, binne en soms selfs buite die land in die vorm van binnelandse oproerigheid en buitelandse sanksies of ondersteuning. 'n Gevoel van dringendheid om te verander tot voordeel van almal, moet egter nog posvat. Die son wag nie vir Afrika nie. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Successful exploration projects and subsequent mining ventures can provide the stimulus for economic growth in Southern Africa through job creation, improved living conditions, and eventually economic and political stability. The aim is to ultimately ensure a long- term, safe, peaceful and prosperous solution for the region consisting of continuous growth and prosperity based upon an economic kickoff sparked by the implementation of successful mining projects. To achieve this, a thorough and comprehensive study of all possible risks, political, economic and social affecting such ventures is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, the region suffers from a lack of foreign direct investment to make this happen largely as a result of bureaucracy, political instability and an uncertain security situation. The main aim of this study is to create a model for an initial risk analysis by analysing a country's risk factors relevant to the overall business and investment climate as perceived by investors in exploration and mining projects. Two countries, Angola and Zimbabwe, where mining can play a large role have been identified based on the quality of their mineral deposits and mining potential. Using the model developed in this research study where grading is based on 'Political', 'Financial (Transfer)', 'Social', and 'Ownership Risk' respectively, Angola rates a CBCB country with a moderately stable environment in which to launch exploration and mining ventures. It is a country with a vast mineral potential and although the support infrastructure is lacking at this stage, have three major ports. No major threats or destabilising factors exist in the near to medium terms. It has the ability to change to a BBCB status over the medium to long term. Zimbabwe receives a rating of DDC+C with a highly risky environment to launch exploration and mining ventures. No one is sure what the last election and the future political framework will bring. The current status can almost only improve for the country and its people with the possibility of a government of national unity. Although the country might not have reached the bottom turning point yet, a CC+C+C+ rating could be a possibility over the medium term and even better over the long term. In a country with enormous mineral potential, it is time to start scouting for promising regions for exploration purposes. Zimbabwe has the potential to again become the bread basket of Africa with backup from the mining industry. A proper democratically elected government and much hard work, commitment and dedication are necessary to be successful eventually. Finally, the most important/crucial part of measuring the risk associated with a country comes in the form of political risk and more precisely, sovereign risk. Unfortunately, and this is the main stumbling block in long-term forecasting, the status quo can continue for the next decade, or be turned upside down almost overnight. This in turn can lead to a chain reaction throughout all spheres of the political and socioeconomic standing, inside and outside the country in the form of domestic upheaval and foreign sanctions or support. A sense of urgency to change for the better still has to emerge though. The sun doesn't wait for Africa.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The retention of the right skills in any organisation or industry is always a challenge. There are many causes of the skills shortage and it is also difficult to retain skilled people once they have been found. The literature suggests that retention of skills should ideally be considered from the design and expectation of the requirements of the job through to the recruitment process; and not only once the employee has started working. The literature also explores the different retention strategies that can be applied, such as succession planning, employee engagement, work – life balance, remuneration structuring and career advancement path. This research is limited to Tshikondeni coal mine and attempts to establish which of the following are the biggest contributing factors that cause people to leave and resign from the mine: • Known life of the mine left is till 2014; • Remote location away from essential services; • Leadership; and • Remuneration. From the research that was done, it became clear that the limited life of the mine was the biggest contributing factor that would make employees want to leave Tshikondeni coal mine. Further study is recommended for organisations that operate with finite resources, and mostly in remote areas, to develop further specific retention strategies – over and above those challenges that face all other industries and organisations. This should be done so that the reality of finite resources can be addressed in order to keep employees motivated and energised until the last ton is extracted. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is altyd ‘n uitdaging in enige organisasie of industrie om die regte vaardighede te behou. Daar is baie redes vir die tekort aan vaardighede en dit is moeilik om bekwame mense te behou wanneer hulle wel gevind word. Die literatuur raai aan dat die retensie van vaardighede reeds in die ontwerp van en vereistes vir ‘n betrekking in ag geneem moet word, sowel as tydens die werwingsproses en nie eers na indiensneming van die werknemer nie. Die literatuur ondersoek ook retensie strategië wat toegepas kan word, soos bv. opvolgbeplanning, werknemerbetrokkenheid, balans tussen werk en vrye tyd, vergoedingstrukture en moontlikhede vir bevordering. Hierdie navorsing is beperk tot Tshikondeni steenkoolmyn en poog om vas te stel watter van die volgende die grootste bydraende faktore is waarom mense bedank en weggaan by die myn: • Lewensduur van die myn slegs tot 2014; • Afgesonderde ligging weg van essensële dienste; • Leierskap; en • Vergoeding. Uit die navorsing wat gedoen is, het dit duidelik geword dat die beperkte lewensduur van die myn die grootste bydraende faktor was waarom werknemers wou weggaan van Tshikondeni steenkoolmyn. Verdere navorsing word aanbeveel vir organisasies wat met beperkte hulpbronne, en hoofsaaklik in afgeleë gebiede, werk om verdere spesifieke retensie strategieë te ontwikkel – bo en behalwe dié wat vir ander industrieë en organisasies geld. Hierdeur kan die realiteit van beperkte hulpbronne aangespreek word om sodoende die motivering en aansporing van werknemers te verseker totdat die laaste ton verwerk is.

Research was conducted at Cyprus Pima Mine, an open pit copper mine located southwest of Tucson, Arizona, in 1980 and 1981 to study the establishment of annual and perennial grasses on the slopes of copper mine tailing ponds. In 1980, the north and south slope exposures were hydroseeded with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Plots were capped with topsoil prior to planting or left uncapped, and mulched with wheat straw after planting or left unmulched. Desert soil was classified as Palos Verdes-Sonoita Complex and Detrital-Sonoita Complex. Barley provided a quick, temporary cover and served as a mulch for later plantings. The number of seedlings established was the same for both exposures. Barley grew taller on the north slope possibly due to cooler temperatures. Barley growth was more vigorous on mulched areas. In 1981, the same north and south slopes were hydroseeded with Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees.), buffel grass (Pennisetum cilare (L.) Link), blue panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). Prior to planting perennials, barley residue was incorporated into the slopes using a spike-tooth chain drag and a sheepfoot roller, or was left unincorporated. Incorporation of barley residue aided in its breakdown and helped prepare a good seedbed. The spike-tooth chain drag produced better growth than the sheepfoot roller, possibly due to excessive soil compaction with the sheepfoot roller. Capping tailing slopes with desert soil produced the most significant improvements in barley and perennial grass growth. Soil analyses of pure tailing and capped tailing revealed both were low in nitrogen and phosphorus. All plots were amended with these nutrients. Organic matter, although low for both samples, was higher in the capped tailing sample. Organic matter improves soil structure and provides nutrients and its increased presence may have been the main reason for improved growth on capped slopes.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering Johannesburg 2015 / Regardless of the strategic role that mining plays in South Africa‟s economic growth and development, there are perceptions that mining benefits are still enjoyed by a few elite individuals. This is partly due to high expectations from lower level workers in the sector and communities where mining takes place. Failures in the implementation of some of the policies that are social in nature are making people question the wisdom of the current mining legislation, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA). The main question of this research paper is whether the MPRDA, in its current form, is a suitable mining legislative framework that can usher a better dispensation for all or whether there is a need to overhaul it in order to deliver the desired end results that are expected by the majority of South Africans. It is against this background that this research was undertaken, by studying best practice in other mining jurisdictions and conducting a survey of those involved in the South African mining sector. From the research and surveys, recommendations are proposed on what amendments could be effected on the MPRDA to make the South African mining sector more attractive and simultaneously, meet the citizens‟ expectations.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering. Johannesburg, 2017 / The research was driven by the need to optimise the Ruashi Mining operation to prevent further high-grading without destroying the value of the mine. Ruashi Mining incurred a five-year stripping backlog caused by the drive to reduce costs. As a result of this, a decline in metal production was imminent in the subsequent years. The study was conducted mainly using SimSched Direct Block Scheduler (SimSched DBS) in comparison with schedules from Datamine Net Present Value Scheduler (NPVS) and MineSched. The scenarios investigated have shown that running a mine based on break-even cut-off grade does not optimise the net present value of an operation as shown through the results of Ruashi Mining. The research also proved that royalty affects the cut-off grade for Ruashi Mining, and cannot be ignored. The proper scheduling of wasting stripping resulting from cut-off grade optimisation has contributed to a timeous exposure of high grade to avert the decline in metal production. All the three scenarios have shown that high grade ore can be availed on time, thus producing a smooth metal output for the life of mine. Cut-off grade optimisation is very crucial for any mining organisation as it is the main driver of value. Ore reserves are important in the determination of a company’s share price. High cut-off grade results in fewer reserves, and vice versa. Since mineral reserves are the source of revenue, therefore, the higher the reserves, the higher the revenue. Low cut-off grade may result in the processing of material that does not give high profit at the beginning of the life of mine. This, therefore, lowers the mining company’s net present value. This makes it imperative to optimise the cut-off grade during the mine life in order to optimise the net present value. During mining operations, there are various stakeholders whose interests must be considered during cut-off grade optimisation because they derive many benefits from the mine. These stakeholders include shareholders, employees, government, the community and non-governmental organisations. Cut-off grade optimisation has shown that there is an opportunity to improve the net present value of Ruashi Mining. SimSched gives a higher net present value (NPV) compared to the current Ruashi life of mine schedule. This indicates that SimSched can be used to improve the NPV for Ruashi by producing an optimised schedule. It is important to note though that there is need for the software to have provisions to take into account the initial stockpile status so that there is a holistic approach to the schedule optimisation. The grade-tonnage curve is steeper closer to zero implying that a small change in cut-off grade has a huge impact on reserves. Based on the results of the study it was clear that optimisation in SimSched DBS results in a steeply declining cut-off grade policy compared to NPVS. In addition, optimisation in SimSched leads to highly accelerated mining rate and massive stockpiling. Royalty is a cost which has to be incorporated in cut-off grade optimisation. The study has shown that the cut-off grade for Ruashi is increased by 19.8%. Ignoring royalty may result in overvaluing of an operation. Environmental considerations favour the optimisation of the use of the mieral resources. Consideration of environmental costs lowered the cut-off grade for Ruashi by 16%. / MT 2017

A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF ARTS, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG, IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY. / In its chronic form silicosis had always been been taken for granted as one of the occupational hazards of mining. But both during and shortly after the Anglo-Boer War it manifested itself in a new accelerated form amongst former Witwatersrand rock drillers. Despite the appointment in the Transvaal of a commission of enquiry in 1902 and the promulgation of dust precaution measures, by 1912 the prevalence of and mortality from the disease amongst the Witwatersrand miners had not diminished. This finding suggests two of the purposes of the study: first, the reasons for the continued prevalence of the disease; and second, the extent of the mortality from silicosis amongst the miners. Because of the apparently low prevalence of and mortality from the disease amongst African mineworkers, the disease was ironically nick-named the "white death". Therefore another aim of the study is to examine the validity of the medical claim that the short contracts of African migrant workers safeguarded them from contracting accelerated si licosis. As the subject is complex, the study uses a thematic approach. Chapters two to nine deal with significant themes: first, the growing medical knowledge concerning silicosis, the mining and medical precautions against the disease and the age-old disregard for the occupational illness in its chronic form; second, the industrialists* need to reduce working costs, the development of mass-production technologies and the resort by management to "speeding up"; and third, the miners' needs for job and wage security, the encroachment of African competitors in semi-skilled and skilled spheres of mining and the introduction and the extension of the colour bar. Chapter nine deals with underground health conditions. Chapter ten explores the awareness of the new form of the disease, accelerated silicosis, and the establishment in 1902 of the first Transvaal commission on silicosis. Chapter eleven discusses the failure to implement remedies. Finally, chapter twelve explores the prevalence of and mortality from silicosis and the impact of the disease on the workforce of the mines. In chapters ten, eleven and twelve a synthesis is offered of the themes and findings of the previous chapters. The project is based almost entirely on contemporary primary and published sources. Apart from silicosis, a unifying theme throughout the discrete sections is the perceptions of miners of their vocation in general, and of this occupational disease in particular. The study requires periodization. As silicosis is a slow-developing disease the starting point of the investigation is 1886, when gold was discovered on the Rand. The study ends in 1910 because the establishment of Union in 1910 and the legal award of compensation in 1911 heralded a new era in the history of silicosis on the South African gold mines. The following are the conclusions. First, almost an entire generation of overseas miners, most of whom remained migrants and whose skills pioneered the South African gold mining industry, died from silicosis. Second, for reasons of self-interest, some of which they shared with one another, both the Transvaal state and the Randlords did virtually nothing to remedy the occurrence of the disease. Both parties were culpable for the neglect of the health of the industry's workforce: using only perfunctory dust safeguards, management intensified production through the deployment of both modern technology and labour intensive practices, peculiar to the Witwatersrand; and most of the state's interventionist initiatives were the result of pressure from the British House of Commons. Third, the fear and anger of miners at being the victims of a preventable occupational disease, provided the catalyst for their militancy during the period. Fourth, the industry's power was partly responsible for causing both the press and medical profession to be silent about the problem until 1910. Finally, the mineowners both seized and promoted the unsubstantiated medical orthodoxy, namely that the short contracts of African mineworkers protected them from accelerated silicosis, as an important rationale for perpetuating the migrant labour system / Andrew Chakane 2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science Johannesburg, November 2012. / Acid rock drainage (ARD) and dust are potential consequences of gold and uranium mine residue deposits (MRDs) on the Witwatersrand basin. Urbanisation has taken place around mines and, with the curtailing of mining activities and clearing of land previously covered by MRDs, there is pressure to use this land for residential, industrial and agricultural purposes. However, mining companies historically were not required to provide pollution control measures and there is evidence for contamination of land and water. Thus, there is a need to prioritise contamination sources for mitigation and to understand the extent of contamination and potential risks associated with different categories of land-use on mining land. The aim of my study was to conduct a first-order risk assessment to aid in identifying vulnerable land use in the vicinity of gold and uranium mining, and prioritising MRDs, including footprints, for mitigation. To achieve this I constructed a Geographical Information System (GIS) using publicly available spatial data, and then tested the usefulness of historical aerial photographs and remote sensing imagery for mapping MRDs and impacts of MRD origin under Highveld conditions (i.e. a seasonal climate with summer rainfall and annual evapotranspiration of >2.5 times mean annual precipitation). The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM; 1923 km2) is an area of extensive historical mining with major urbanisation, while retaining areas for agricultural land use; thus it was selected as a representative study site. I used a numerical rating scheme, which combined a number of parameters in two separate stages to calculate a risk index. The first stage involved the classification of hazards associated with MRDs while the second involved an assessment of land use vulnerability based on exposure pathways and proximity. Historical aerial photographs (1938, 1964 and 2003) and the Chamber of Mines (CoM) Dump Indexes were used to identify and classify MRDs in terms of basic geotechnical properties, current status and historical failure. Multi-spectral data, acquired over two years (2002 and 2003) in two seasons (spring and summer) by the TERRA satellite’s Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor, were used to compile thematic images, indicating potential contamination of surrounding land. It was intended that a zone of influence could be distinguished for each MRD enabling me to rate the hazard severity. The thematic images I selected included primary minerals (pyrophyllite and chlorite), secondary minerals (copiapite and jarosite), an indicator of uranium-bearing ore (referred to as mincrust) and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). These minerals were chosen as potential indicators of different transport routes of contaminants and I tested their associations with different features and land use. I also tested for seasonal differences in the detection of these minerals, and used NDVI to examine the masking effect of active vegetation. I found GIS to be well suited for combining the various forms of spatial data and providing information about MRDs, aqueous pathways, proximity to vulnerable land uses and impacted areas. However, I found that the potential severity of the hazards posed by each MRD, as indicated by a zone of influence, could not be determined from aerial photographs and ASTER alone. I therefore utilised the findings expressed in the literature survey to assign ratings for the different classes of MRDs. The vulnerability assessment was also supplemented by literature review to rate land uses based on human exposure pathways. I determined that MRDs (including footprints) cover 4.1% of EMM, with slimes dams, totalling 3.5%, occupying the majority of this area. I found that 64% of slimes dams had failed prior to 2003 and I plotted a further 0.6% of EMM covered by visible mine residue spillage. Fifty three percent of MRDs were situated within 100 m of drainage lines or old wetlands, while 52% of these (i.e. 27% of the total) had been constructed in the watercourse. I also found that 15% were constructed on dolomites. Informal settlements were located on or bordering 6% of MRDs, with 41% of MRDs within 1 000 m. Eighty eight percent of MRDs were found within 1 000 m of formal residential areas, 71% within 500 m, and formal settlements were located on or bordering 5% of MRDs. Twenty three percent of MRDs were located within 500 m of agricultural land, while 35% were within 1 000 m; and industrial land use was on 9% of MRDs (footprints), with 40% of MRDs being within 500 m of industrial areas and 61% within 1 000 m I found that chlorite did not provide a ‘signature’ of gold and uranium mine residue, whereas the other four minerals did. I also found that, of the two seasons examined (spring and summer), the best time to take an ASTER image to detect mineral signatures of gold and uranium mine contamination is after a few dry days following the first spring rains. For this reason, I used the ASTER taken in late October (spring) 2003 to examine associations with pathways and land use. I found more pyrophyllite and copiapite on industrial and business land use than background, which I suggest is associated with the settling of windborne dust on large and flat roofs; although, in the case of copiapite this could be related to the oxidation of settled wind blown pyrite material. I found jarosite to be a reliable indicator of mine residue, which, together with mincrust, helped me identify contamination in former agricultural holdings, which are now a township. Although, chemically undefined, mincrust was a useful indicator of contamination, as I found it to be reliably detected on MRDs (including footprints), mine residue spillage, wetlands and other contaminated sites, and absent from known uncontaminated sites. Furthermore, it was not necessarily masked by active vegetation, whereas copiapite, jarosite and pyrophyllite were. Mincrust was also detected on irrigated agricultural land with an odds ratio of between 10 to 36 times greater than for rain-fed. Consequently, the most likely pathway for mincrust is the aqueous. The mincrust signature, together with historical aerial photographs, also assisted me to identify historical mining along Black Reef outcrops, through detection in a wetland upstream of known mining activities. The culmination of my study was a risk class and index for MRDs from which ‘risk maps’ were produced. These maps provide a guide to the level of risk posed by each MRD to the surrounding land use. Of the total 287 MRDs (including footprints) identified in the EMM, 50% were classified lower-risk; 40% medium-risk; 10% higher-risk and 0% as much higher risk. The lower-risk MRDs were predominantly rock dumps, whereas the higher-risk MRDs were slimes dams. The findings from my study will contribute to meaningful recommendations for future land use and enable mining companies, landowners, developers and government to allocate their resources judiciously (i.e. appropriate to the level of risk). The results of this study have been published as: Sutton, M.W., Weiersbye, I.M., Galpin, J.S and Heller, D., 2006. A GIS-based history of gold mine residue deposits and risk assessment of post-mining land uses on the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. In: A. B. Fourie and M. Tibbett (eds.), Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the 1st International Seminar on Mine Closure, Perth, ISBN: 0-9756756-6-4, pp. 667–678 (Appendix I). Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M., 2007. South African legislation pertinent to gold mine closure and residual risk. In: A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds.), Mine Closure 2007: Proceedings of the 2nd International Seminar on Mine Closure, Santiago, ISBN: 978-0-9804185-0-7, pp. 89–102 (Appendix II). Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M., 2008. Land use after mine closure – Risk assessment of gold and uranium mine residue deposits on the eastern Witwatersrand, South Africa. In: A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett, I.M. Weiersbye and P.J. Dye (eds.), Mine Closure 2008: Proceedings of the 3rd International Seminar on Mine Closure, Johannesburg, ISBN: 978-0-9804185-6-9, pp. 363–374 (Appendix III).