Thesis (M.Sc.(Earth Science and Practice Management))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Geology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographic references.

Prof Peter Alexander Mr Chris Bolsmann

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Mining Engineering 2016/10/5 / Management does not have an efficient mechanism to test strategic and operational alternatives and to assess the impact of these on the value and underlying trade-off variables of the business. Techno-economic models can be applied for this purpose as they provide a framework for undertaking advanced process simulation and business valuation. The purpose of the research report is to identify key components, principles and best practice as applied in techno-economic models, to improve techno-economic modelling for the purpose of decision-making and business optimization. The integrated techno-economic model requires a mining model with production planning and scheduling abilities. The half-level system method can be applied to create production profiles for different mining options and only after optimisation the best option is taken forward for graphical design and detailed scheduling. A metallurgical model incorporates the logic and efficiencies of the treatment process into the techno-economic model from which the refined products are determined for revenue and costing purposes. The financial model integrates with the mining and metallurgical elements and uses detailed costing models and sound financial principles for operating and capital cost estimates. An accurate techno-economic model includes key cash flow components and applies rigorous valuation practice for investment analysis. Techno-economic models are extensively applied in business planning, major project valuations and stay–in-business project valuations. Learnings from the review of these case studies suggest best practice, which allows the models to be applied to different types of business entities and contributes to the accuracy, consistency and efficiency of techno-economic modelling. Integrated techno-economic modelling is also applicable in strategic planning and mine design optimization as it provides a powerful instrument for decision-making and business optimization. The future of the mining business depends on it as an invaluable direction steering tool. / MT2017

The platinum market is best understood through a comprehensive analysis of supply and demand. Supply is most significantly affected by production constraints and the erratic draw-down in Russian stockpiles. Total world supply of platinum for 1998 amounted to 5.915 Moz, 64% of which was produced from the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The remainder emanated from Russia, Zimbabwe, the United States, Canada and the recycling of autocatalysts. Supply is forecast to drop by 320 000 oz in 1999 due to a lower Russian export quota and reduced Zimbabwean production. Demand for platinum is unusual, in that it is sought after both as a store of wealth, and has properties that make it irreplaceable in a host of industrial applications. Current world demand for the metal is driven by a growing Eastern jewelry market and increased use in autocatalysts due to vehicle emissions legislation. Total world demand for 1998 amounted to 5.755 Moz. A predicted steady growth in the consumption of platinum for jewelry and existing applications, together with development of new uses, is expected to result in an annual 250 000 oz increase in demand for 1999 and 2000. The derived supply and demand balance for 1998 shows a small excess in supply relative to demand. This will be absorbed by inventories and is likely to have little affect on price, A significant shortfall of 410 000 oz, however, is predicted for 1999. This is likely to be followed by a further shortfall in 2000 and will drive up prices, impel consumers towards substitution and thriving and encourage producers to expand.

Thesis (M.Eng.)(Metallurgical)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

M.Sc. (Geology) / The study aims to provide a geometallurgical assessment, including an evaluation of the response of different facies types of the Merensky Reef to mineral processing, and the identification of critical characteristics that determine processing behaviour. This is accomplished by obtaining quantitative mineralogical information, combined with chemical assay, laboratory scale milling and flotation testing. Lonmin Platinum’s Marikana Mine is located on the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex to the east of Rustenburg. Platinum group elements (PGE) occur in, and are mined from, a variety of facies types of the Merensky Reef, and the UG2. For the purpose of the present study, three facies types of Merensky Reef samples and one sample of UG2 were used. The Merensky facies samples comprise of the BK, RPM, and Western Platinum variants. The mineral assemblages of the various Merensky Reef facies types at this locality comprise varying amounts of orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, olivine, talc, serpentine, chlorite, chromite, magnetite and sulphides (mainly pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite). Approximately 20 individual 10 cm channel samples were collected from each of the facies variants of the Merensky Reef, and the UG2. These are coarsely crushed, mineral modal abundances determined using the MLA, and then analysed for Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, S and 6 PGE. The samples were then combined per facies type, and each of these composites subjected to laboratory scale milling and flotation testing. Abundant sulphide typically occurs with (is associated with) thin chromitite stringers, as is commonly observed in the Merensky Reef throughout the whole of the Bushveld Complex. Chromitite stringers are characterized by high PGE concentrations. The milling behaviour of the various facies samples, as well as flotation behaviour, was observed to be a function of mineralogy. The influence of ore mineralogy on the various stages of flotation, the mineralogical makeup of the various flotation concentrates, and the level of recovery of the PGE’s during flotation, were also investigated. Ore facies having the most abundant anorthite required the longest milling time to achieve the target grind of 60wt.% passing 75μm; and the ore with the most abundant enstatite produced the largest mass pull on floating. The facies with higher PGE grade, modal abundance of base metal sulphides, higher degree of liberation of base metal sulphides and least enstatite abundance produced the most favourable set of characteristics for efficient PGE recovery.

The underground hard rock mining industry in South Africa is faced with the challenge of simultaneously delivering both safety and productivity excellence. Frontline supervisors need to manage the inherent trade-off between safety and productivity to achieve excellence in both. Previous research suggests that supervisors with a transformational leadership style have delivered safety and productivity in separate studies. This study examined the relationship between the transformational leadership style of underground mining supervisors at Impala and the simultaneous delivery of both safety and productivity. It also investigated the mediating effect of group safety climate on the relationship between transformational leadership and injury rate, and the mediating effect of group cohesiveness on the relationship between transformational leadership and productivity. The relationship between transformational leadership and the perception of leader effectiveness was also investigated in the study context. The research design was a case study using mixed methods in the form of a sequential explanatory design. In the first quantitative main phase of the study, survey questionnaires were completed by respondents to determine the leadership style of the mine overseers who were the unit of analysis. Data was also collected using survey questionnaires for group safety climate and group cohesiveness. The injury rate and productivity data for the mine overseer sections was recorded for a one year period prior to the survey. In the second qualitative phase of the study selected mine overseers were interviewed and a focus group of mine overseers was conducted. Also, underground observations were carried out and documents were scrutinised. The focus of the qualitative research was to interpret and explain the results that were obtained in the quantitative first phase of the study. The results indicate that transformational leadership is related to the perception of supervisors’ effectiveness. This relationship is partially mediated by group safety climate and group cohesiveness. The relationship between transformational leadership and the objective measures of injury vi rate and productivity were not supported in the quantitative results. This may indicate that these measures were too narrow to determine supervisors’ leadership effectiveness, and/or were contaminated by confounding variables as was suggested in the qualitative phase of the study. The qualitative findings indicated that supervisors’ perception was that transformational leadership style is effective in delivering safety and productivity excellence. The overall conclusion of this study is that in the context of Impala or similar operations, that the effective supervisor should employ the full range of leadership. This behaviour includes maintaining discipline and using contingent reward to motivate the achievement of goals. The effective supervisor also uses the transformational leadership style giving meaning to work and creating a feeling of team membership. Transformational leadership inspires the diverse workforce to deliver safety and productivity excellence in the difficult and risky mining conditions. Furthermore, supervisors’ behaviour is greatly influenced by management’s priorities. / Business Management / D. B. L.

The underground hard rock mining industry in South Africa is faced with the challenge of simultaneously delivering both safety and productivity excellence. Frontline supervisors need to manage the inherent trade-off between safety and productivity to achieve excellence in both. Previous research suggests that supervisors with a transformational leadership style have delivered safety and productivity in separate studies. This study examined the relationship between the transformational leadership style of underground mining supervisors at Impala and the simultaneous delivery of both safety and productivity. It also investigated the mediating effect of group safety climate on the relationship between transformational leadership and injury rate, and the mediating effect of group cohesiveness on the relationship between transformational leadership and productivity. The relationship between transformational leadership and the perception of leader effectiveness was also investigated in the study context. The research design was a case study using mixed methods in the form of a sequential explanatory design. In the first quantitative main phase of the study, survey questionnaires were completed by respondents to determine the leadership style of the mine overseers who were the unit of analysis. Data was also collected using survey questionnaires for group safety climate and group cohesiveness. The injury rate and productivity data for the mine overseer sections was recorded for a one year period prior to the survey. In the second qualitative phase of the study selected mine overseers were interviewed and a focus group of mine overseers was conducted. Also, underground observations were carried out and documents were scrutinised. The focus of the qualitative research was to interpret and explain the results that were obtained in the quantitative first phase of the study. The results indicate that transformational leadership is related to the perception of supervisors’ effectiveness. This relationship is partially mediated by group safety climate and group cohesiveness. The relationship between transformational leadership and the objective measures of injury vi rate and productivity were not supported in the quantitative results. This may indicate that these measures were too narrow to determine supervisors’ leadership effectiveness, and/or were contaminated by confounding variables as was suggested in the qualitative phase of the study. The qualitative findings indicated that supervisors’ perception was that transformational leadership style is effective in delivering safety and productivity excellence. The overall conclusion of this study is that in the context of Impala or similar operations, that the effective supervisor should employ the full range of leadership. This behaviour includes maintaining discipline and using contingent reward to motivate the achievement of goals. The effective supervisor also uses the transformational leadership style giving meaning to work and creating a feeling of team membership. Transformational leadership inspires the diverse workforce to deliver safety and productivity excellence in the difficult and risky mining conditions. Furthermore, supervisors’ behaviour is greatly influenced by management’s priorities. / Business Management / D. B. L.

submitted partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in the Faculty of ENGINEERING in the University of the Witwatersremd, Johannesburg August 1991 \