A dissertation submitted to the Geophysics Department, School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science. Johannesburg, February 2012 / Impala Platinum Mine (Impala), situated north of the town of Rustenburg in the North West Province of South Africa, has experienced an increase in seismicity from ~841 seismic events in the year 2005 to ~1588 seismic events in 2008. The seismologists and rock engineers need to understand the underlying mechanisms and driving forces responsible for seismicity to develop and design mining layouts and support strategies to lessen the risks posed by rockburts. However, most previous studies of seismicity conducted on Impala and other Bushveld Complex mines in the Rustenburg area provided limited information regarding the source parameters and mechanism due to insufficient data. The study is designed to investigate the seismic hazard on Impala Platinum Mine by means of two approaches: an investigation of seismic source parameters and the mechanism of potentially damaging seismic events, and mapping of the weathered layer of the near surface within the Impala mine lease area. A number of detailed investigations of rockbursts were conducted whereby damage was mapped and photographed. The investigations includes reviews of the seismic history, short-, medium- and long-term seismic hazard assessment methods, and an analysis of the source parameters of the seismic event and associated ground motions. The study has revealed that most of the seismic events occur close to the reef plane, and are the result of the failure of a volume of rock that includes the pillar and the host rock that forms the foundation of the pillar.

ISO 14001 is the specification and guideline providing the framework for the establishment of the EMS. It was first published in September 1996 and updated in November 2004. It was developed by ISO, a Geneva-based NGO that promotes the development and implementation of international standards (Darnall, 2001:2). EMS is part of the organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy and manage its environmental impacts (ISO 14001, 2004:2). In South Africa there is no legal requirement for EMSs to be put into place, other than where it may have been made a condition of a permit or licence application. All Underground Platinum Mines are required to develop, document, implement, maintain and review their EMS, which should be certified toISO14001:2004 (AEW, 2009:13). The problem is that the implementation of an EMS is associated with a number of shortcomings and may be seen as a paper exercise to satisfy the needs of external auditors during audits with no particular value accruing to the organisation. The aim of the research was to determine the operational value of the ISO 14001 EMS at selected Underground Platinum Mines. A structured survey-based research study was conducted among employees in three different operations within Underground Platinum Mine. This included literature and case studies review, interviews with key EMS implementers and distribution of questionnaires to those employees involved with the EMS implementation. The main aim of the research has been achieved and all the research sub-questions were answered. The study concludes that the ISO 14001 EMS as implemented at Underground Platinum Mine is not merely a paper exercise but has an operational value. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

ISO 14001 is the specification and guideline providing the framework for the establishment of the EMS. It was first published in September 1996 and updated in November 2004. It was developed by ISO, a Geneva-based NGO that promotes the development and implementation of international standards (Darnall, 2001:2). EMS is part of the organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy and manage its environmental impacts (ISO 14001, 2004:2). In South Africa there is no legal requirement for EMSs to be put into place, other than where it may have been made a condition of a permit or licence application. All Underground Platinum Mines are required to develop, document, implement, maintain and review their EMS, which should be certified toISO14001:2004 (AEW, 2009:13). The problem is that the implementation of an EMS is associated with a number of shortcomings and may be seen as a paper exercise to satisfy the needs of external auditors during audits with no particular value accruing to the organisation. The aim of the research was to determine the operational value of the ISO 14001 EMS at selected Underground Platinum Mines. A structured survey-based research study was conducted among employees in three different operations within Underground Platinum Mine. This included literature and case studies review, interviews with key EMS implementers and distribution of questionnaires to those employees involved with the EMS implementation. The main aim of the research has been achieved and all the research sub-questions were answered. The study concludes that the ISO 14001 EMS as implemented at Underground Platinum Mine is not merely a paper exercise but has an operational value. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The Twickenham Platinum Mine (TPM) Project is located in the north eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, north west of Steelpoort in the Limpopo Province. The property hosts platinum group metals (PGM) mineralisation in the Merensky Reef (MR) and Upper Group 2 Chromitite (UG2). The two reefs are separated by 400 m of mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Rustenburg Layered Suite. The question that must be answered with this study relates to the economic viability of the MR compared to that of the UG2 at the TPM Project, as it stands in 2011. The assumption is that no mining has commenced on this project and that there is an equal opportunity to commence mining on one of the reefs. The study describes the ore body characteristic for each reef, focussing on the lithologies, structure, and resources available. The discounted cash flow (DCF) method was used to determine the economic value of each reef. The net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) were calculated and used to compare the ore bodies. The input parameters to the DCF are the main limiting factors to this method, as the results are heavily dependent on the assumptions made. The input parameters used were based on actual published values and generally accepted and motivated assumptions. A sensitivity and risk analysis was completed to identify value ranges and potential risks to the projects. The outcome of the analysis has been compared to other projects as a benchmark to ensure the project assumptions were realistic. The world markets supply and demand for PGM is intricately related to exchange rates, metal prices, inflation, and investment risk. These have an influence on the strategic planning for a company as well as investment decisions through various project evaluation methods. South Africa has a long history of mining and metals extraction. Extensive mining legislation has been developed to ensure the country’s mineral wealth is protected and the health and safety of employees are high priority. Specific challenges related L! to mining on the Eastern Limb are discussed in order to justify the high risk assigned to the project for this evaluation. The DCF was calculated and the outcome indicated that neither the MR nor the UG2 is economically viable using these parameters in the 2011 economy. The MR evaluation produced a negative NPV (R -1,664,541,443.47) and an IRR of 9 %, which is well below the required discount rate of 12 %. The initial project capital will be repaid after 19 years of the 33 year life of mine. The sensitivity analysis showed that by reducing the initial capital by 30 %, the project produces a positive NPV. The other factor that produced a positive NPV was by reducing the operating cost by 50 %. This project will have to be re-evaluated after all parameters have been tested and some re-engineering has been done to optimise the extraction of the MR ore body. The UG2 evaluation produced a negative NPV (R -109,614,208.27) and an IRR of 12 %, equal to the required discount rate. The initial project capital will be repaid after 16 years of the 32 year life of mine. The sensitivity analysis showed encouraging results, as minor changes to the input parameters produced a positive NPV. The two parameters that were most significant were the recoveries and the capital requirements. By increasing the recovery percentage by 2 %, the project NPV becomes positive and a reduction of the initial capital by 10 %, also resulted in the NPV becoming positive. This indicates that with some refinement to the input parameters, the UG2 could be extracted as an economically viable project. The only concern is the sensitivity to changes in grade, which will have to be very well defined and controlled when mining commences. The risk assessment related closely to the challenges identified for a mining operation on the Eastern Limb, with the relationship with the local community and the build-up phase of the project emerging as the highest risks. The limited infrastructure development and high levels of poverty that exists in the area has a direct influence on the support structures and services available for the build-up phase of a mine. The build-up phase requires substantial development and services that will have to be sourced at high risk and cost from substantial distances, to ensure that steady state is reached. The socio-economic development of the local community is critical for the success of the mine. Upliftment of the local community in terms of education and training, job opportunities and health care will provide the foundation for a good relationship / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Geology / Unrestricted

Platinum mining activities contribute substantially to South Africa's economy since it exceeded gold as economical contributor in 2001. Mining activities contribute to large amounts of waste production in the form of tailings and rock waste, deposited in the surrounding environment of the mine premises. Mining companies are held responsible for damages caused to the surrounding environment. These companies are required to introduce the cost of ecological rehabilitation in their operation costs as well as compile an environmental management plan. Numerous attempts to rehabilitate mine waste have proven unsuccessful. New and improved rehabilitation techniques are required to facilitate in the rehabilitation of these mine spoils. Woodchip-vermicompost produced from platinum mining wastes (woodchips and sewage sludge) was used as an alternative amendment to inorganic fertilisers during the rehabilitation of platinum mine tailings. The effectiveness of the woodchip-vermicompost as an alternative amendment during the platinum mine tailings rehabilitation were monitored using different ecosystem components. A natural veldt in the vicinity of the mine area was randomly selected to serve as a reference site. These ecosystem components selected have previously been shown to be effective as indicators of ecosystem quality. The components selected for this study includes the use of microbial enzymatic activity, microbial community structure, nematode trophic structures, and other mesofaunal groups such as micro-arthropods. The physical and chemical properties of the platinum mine tailings and reference area as well as the vegetation cover of the platinum mine tailings were determined. Statistical and multivariate analyses were use to determine the correlation between the dependent microbial components and dominate independent chemical properties. Nematode trophic structure, Maturity Index, and Plant-Parasitic nematode Index were used to compare the two rehabilitation techniques in terms of nematodes as indicators. Microarthropods family structures were used to compare the two amendments in terms of diversity and abundance. Enzymatic activity was positively affected by the addition of woodchip-vermicompost, than in the sites treated with inorganic fertilisers. The microbial community structure showed no statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences between the two amendments. A higher abundance of nematodes especially plant-parasitic nematodes and bacterivorous nematodes were observed in the woodchip-vermicompost sites than in the inorganic fertilised sites. According to the Maturity Index, both amendments became more enriched during the study period, while the Plant-Parasitic nematode Index showed that the carrying capacity for plantparasitic nematodes on the woodchip-vermicompost sites increased while it decreased in the inorganic fertilised sites, which can be related to the decrease in vegetation cover on the inorganic fertilised sites. Both coloniser (Prostigmata) and persister (Cryptostigmata and Mesostigmata) groups of the micro-arthropods, as well as a higher diversity of micro-arthropods, were present on the woodchip-vermicompost sites whereas the inorganic fertilised sites showed only the presence of colonisers, with a decrease in diversity and abundance of micro-arthropods over the study. The colonisation of micro-arthropods may have been affected by the addition of woodchip-vermicompost and vegetation cover, which contribute to the establishment of suitable microhabitats for these soil biota. By intercorrelating the results, it may be concluded that the addition of woodchip-vermicompost may be an essential part of the rehabilitation process, by contributing to soil organic material to the ecosystem system, which may improve the recolonisation of soil biota and ecosystem processes. However further studies need to be conducted in order to determine the long-term sustainability of the woodchip-vermicompost in providing organic material and sustaining the ecosystem processes. The study also showed the necessity to integrate various ecosystem components when evaluating ecosystem development due to the unique role each component plays and the impact it may have on other components. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture: Professional)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / The aim of this thesis is to design a Disaster Prevention Centre for the platinum mining sector which will save lives and aid in the South African Department of Mineral and Resources' campaign towards "zero fatalities" within the mining industry. The facility is intended to be a prototype for the preventative training of platinum miners around the world by examining past, present and predicted future mining incidents and using this information to create a safe simulated learning environment or mock-up scenario of possible mining hazards.

Platinum mining activities contribute substantially to South Africa's economy since it exceeded gold as economical contributor in 2001. Mining activities contribute to large amounts of waste production in the form of tailings and rock waste, deposited in the surrounding environment of the mine premises. Mining companies are held responsible for damages caused to the surrounding environment. These companies are required to introduce the cost of ecological rehabilitation in their operation costs as well as compile an environmental management plan. Numerous attempts to rehabilitate mine waste have proven unsuccessful. New and improved rehabilitation techniques are required to facilitate in the rehabilitation of these mine spoils. Woodchip-vermicompost produced from platinum mining wastes (woodchips and sewage sludge) was used as an alternative amendment to inorganic fertilisers during the rehabilitation of platinum mine tailings. The effectiveness of the woodchip-vermicompost as an alternative amendment during the platinum mine tailings rehabilitation were monitored using different ecosystem components. A natural veldt in the vicinity of the mine area was randomly selected to serve as a reference site. These ecosystem components selected have previously been shown to be effective as indicators of ecosystem quality. The components selected for this study includes the use of microbial enzymatic activity, microbial community structure, nematode trophic structures, and other mesofaunal groups such as micro-arthropods. The physical and chemical properties of the platinum mine tailings and reference area as well as the vegetation cover of the platinum mine tailings were determined. Statistical and multivariate analyses were use to determine the correlation between the dependent microbial components and dominate independent chemical properties. Nematode trophic structure, Maturity Index, and Plant-Parasitic nematode Index were used to compare the two rehabilitation techniques in terms of nematodes as indicators. Microarthropods family structures were used to compare the two amendments in terms of diversity and abundance. Enzymatic activity was positively affected by the addition of woodchip-vermicompost, than in the sites treated with inorganic fertilisers. The microbial community structure showed no statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences between the two amendments. A higher abundance of nematodes especially plant-parasitic nematodes and bacterivorous nematodes were observed in the woodchip-vermicompost sites than in the inorganic fertilised sites. According to the Maturity Index, both amendments became more enriched during the study period, while the Plant-Parasitic nematode Index showed that the carrying capacity for plantparasitic nematodes on the woodchip-vermicompost sites increased while it decreased in the inorganic fertilised sites, which can be related to the decrease in vegetation cover on the inorganic fertilised sites. Both coloniser (Prostigmata) and persister (Cryptostigmata and Mesostigmata) groups of the micro-arthropods, as well as a higher diversity of micro-arthropods, were present on the woodchip-vermicompost sites whereas the inorganic fertilised sites showed only the presence of colonisers, with a decrease in diversity and abundance of micro-arthropods over the study. The colonisation of micro-arthropods may have been affected by the addition of woodchip-vermicompost and vegetation cover, which contribute to the establishment of suitable microhabitats for these soil biota. By intercorrelating the results, it may be concluded that the addition of woodchip-vermicompost may be an essential part of the rehabilitation process, by contributing to soil organic material to the ecosystem system, which may improve the recolonisation of soil biota and ecosystem processes. However further studies need to be conducted in order to determine the long-term sustainability of the woodchip-vermicompost in providing organic material and sustaining the ecosystem processes. The study also showed the necessity to integrate various ecosystem components when evaluating ecosystem development due to the unique role each component plays and the impact it may have on other components. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

South Africa ratified the Stockholm Convention (SC), which became legally binding on 17 May 2004. This Convention targets 12 particularly toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for virtual elimination. The Convention also requires parties to reduce the release of organochlorine pesticides and the intentionally- and unintentionally-produced POPs such as dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (referred to as dioxin-like chemicals). Dioxins are a heterogeneous mixture of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) congeners. These substances were never intentionally produced but are produced as by-products of industrial processes (such as metallurgical processes and bleaching of paper pulp). They can also be formed during natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. The largest contributor to releases of PCDD/Fs in the environment is incomplete combustion from waste incinerators leading to the unintentional production of these compounds. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are used in transformers and capacitors, but can also be formed unintentionally during industrial and thermal processes. Dioxin-like chemicals (PCDD/Fs and/or PCBs) are classified as persistent because of the following characteristics: lipophilicity and hydrophobicity; resistance to photolytic, chemical and biological degradation and they are able to travel long distances. As South Africa is a semiarid region, POPs will be less prone to travel here because these substances favour colder regions with high soil organic matter. Fish, predatory birds, mammals (including humans) absorb high concentrations of POPs through the process of bio-concentration, leading to bio-accumulation of these substances in the fatty tissue. PCDD/Fs occur as unwanted trace contaminants in air, water, land, in residues and products (such as consumer goods e.g. paper and textiles). The distribution of these chemicals into various matrices is problematic since they cause damage to the environment and human health. These chemicals pose a threat to human health when found in high concentrations that may lead to acute hepatoxicity and dermal toxicity (chloracne). Long-term exposure to low concentrations of these substances might lead to chronic effects such as reproductive problems and carcinogenicity. Since ferrous and non-ferrous metal production is a source of dioxin-like chemicals, a platinum mine in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, was selected for this investigation. The aim of the study was to determine if there are dioxin-like chemicals associated with platinum mining and processing, and if the H4IIE reporter gene bio-assay could be used to semi-quantify and assess the potencies of the complex environmental and process samples by determining their Toxic Equivalency Quotients (TEQ). The implications of the sources to the formation of dioxin-like chemicals regarding the SC were investigated and recommendations were made to improve this study. Samples were collected from tailings dams, woodchips, a dumpsite and slag from the smelter at Union Section. Samples were extracted with the Soxhlet apparatus using hexane as solvent. The percentage total organic carbon (%TOC) was determined for each sample to normalise the data. The method used was the Walkley-Black method. In determining the TEQ of each sample, the H4IIE luc cell line was used. The cells of the H4IIE luc line are genetically modified rat hepatoma cells stably transfected with a luciferase firefly gene. The luciferase gene is activated by the presence of dioxin-like compounds and the concentration of the enzyme is measured as relative light units (RLUs). The amount of RLUs is directly proportional to the dioxin load in the extract. This method is rapid, cost and time-effective in determining the TEQ when compared to chemical analysis. The TEQ2o-valuesin the various samples, as determined with the H4IIE luc cell line, ranged from 0.007 ngTEQ/kg to 54.06 ngTEQ/kg. Thermal processes at the smelter, sorption of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) to soil and tailings, and external sources such as anthropogenic activities contributed to high TEQ2o-values. Climatic conditions, wind, precipitation, and solubility of HOCs into surfactants lead to low TEQ20. The smelter at Union Section had a very high TEQ20of 44.62 ngTEQ/kg compared to Impala Platinum mine (5.15 ngTEQ/kg). This implies that workers at Union Section are possibly exposed to low and high concentrations of dioxin-like chemicals. Long-term exposure to these compounds could lead to bio-accumulation in the fatty tissue of the mine workers, leading to chronic effects such as reproductive problems and cancer. The air emission of the furnace at the smelter was 0.03 gTEQ/annum and the release of the PCDD/Fs into the slag was 0.60 gTEQ/annum. By effectively managing the smelter it is possible to reduce the TEQ. The TEQ of each sample increased due to normalising the data. The normalised TEQ20 ranged from 0.94 ng TEQ/kg to 42497.48 ngTEQ/kg. Dioxin-like chemicals are present on a platinum mine, but at varying quantities and the effects of these compounds might be detrimental to the environment and the workers at the platinum mine. Further analyses of the health impacts associated with the platinum mine are needed. The H4IIE reporter gene bio-assay could be used to effectively determine the TEQ of each sample. Although this investigation has identified the formation and presence of dioxin-like chemicals at certain stages of mining and processing, not all of the processes were investigated. Some of these processes have the potential to add, and even destroy, these chemicals, affecting potential human exposure and amounts released to the environment. This, however, requires further investigation. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at, are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Various commercial software packages are available for simulating compressed air network operations. However, none of these software packages are able to dynamically prioritise compressor selection on large compressed air networks in the mining industry. In this dissertation, a dynamic compressor selector (DCS) will be developed that will actively and continuously monitor system demand. The software will ensure that the most suitable compressors, based on efficiency and position in the compressed air network, are always in operation. The study will be conducted at a platinum mine. Compressed air flow and pressure requirements will be maintained without compromising mine safety procedures. Significant energy savings will be realised. DCS will receive shaft pressure profiles from each of the shafts’ surface compressed air control valves. These parameters will be used to calculate and predict the compressed air demand. All pipe friction losses and leaks will be taken into account to determine the end-point pressure losses at different flow rates. DCS will then prioritise the compressors of the compressed air network based on the overall system requirement. This software combines the benefits of supply-side and demand-side management. Potential energy savings with DCS were proven and compressor cycling reduced. A DCS user-friendly interface was created to easily set up any mine’s compressed air network. / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013