The paper follows up on previous analyses of changes in soil microstructure in the process of soil development on dumps around Sokolov, Czech Republic, using the soil thin section method. The distribution of structures in the topsoil of the profile was studied in two chronosequences, one overgrown with spontaneous vegetation and one reclaimed by alder planting. A comparison with historical data obtained at these locations 10 years ago was used, and, therefore, the same methods were also applied (Frouz et al., 2007b). The most distinct trend in the process of soil development over time, as observed through both a comparison of soil thin sections from various areas of chronosequence and changes in particular sites over time, is a gradual reduction of purely mineral structures and their replacement by organic matter - litter and its fragments, faecal pellets of arthropods, earthworms coprolites, and roots. This is illustrative of a high share of biogenic structures and a fundamental contribution of organisms to forming topsoil, a fact also pointed out by other authors. Keywords: Soil macrofauna; Soil microstructure; Soil thin section; Reclamation; Post-mining sites; Soil development; Earthworms

This Master thesis deals with the issue of enviromental protection in mining. Mining has negative on impacts on the environment and the goal of law on this field should be the minimalisation of these negative impacts. This master thesis offers a complex overview of issues brought about in mining from the initial stage of exploration and prospecting to its final stage of reclamation. First and second chapter of this thesis give a brief overview of mining issues and state aims of this thesis. Third chapter deals with the environmental protection in the stage of exploration and prospecting, fourth and fifth chapter allow an insight into delianation and mine opening procedures. Sixth chapter deals with mining itself and environmental protection during this process. Seventh chapter adresses reclamations and mine closures. Last chapter is conclusion.

M.Tech. (Architectural Technology) / The architectural intervention proposes an urban redevelopment along the mining belt of the city of Johannesburg through the treatment of acid mine drainage. The design research includes a network of selected sites located along the Johannesburgmining belt to address the problem of acid mine drainage,as well as to provide solutions for future urban environments. The main solutions to eradicate the acid mine water problem are infrastructural, which in most cases is associatedwith inhumane environments. A design question addressing the marriage between harsh infrast ructure and humane environments is therefore dealt with ,in an attempt to create a self-sustaining architecture in which infrastructure can have an integrative urban function for the future . The dissertation aims to achive a design intervention that will thread the traces of a mining century into this contemporary African city, through an architecture that will grow into the future of the ever-changing and continuously emergent Johannesburg.

Esse trabalho apresenta os resultados de um estudo realizado em quatro áreas degradadas por processos erosivos, em que foram adotadas diferentes medidas de recuperação das feições lineares, no Município de São Pedro, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Para sua realização, em uma primeira etapa, foram identificadas as áreas degradadas, seguido de uma avaliação temporal e espacial dos processos erosivos, e a caracterização geológico-geotécnica de cada área. Além disso, foram realizados trabalhos de campo, com o objetivo principal de identificar as medidas de controle ou recuperação de erosão, e de avaliar o seu desempenho. A partir de todas as informações obtidas foram feitas análises quanto à eficiência das medidas de recuperação adotadas em cada área; identificando-se seus sucessos e fracassos, discutindo sua adequação e indicando soluções para os principais problemas. De modo geral, o estudo permitiu observar que a maioria das medidas adotadas teve a eficiência comprometida, em função da não consideração de informações geológicas, geotécnicas e ambientais, e da adoção de medidas inadequadas. / The goal of this work is to present the results obtained from study developed in four degraded areas due to erosive processes, where some reclamation and/or control measures were applied, in the municipality of São Pedro, São Paulo state, Brazil. The study was carried out according some steps, such as: identification of the degraded land, collection of previous data about geological and geotechnical works, analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images for evaluating the temporal and spatial distribution of the erosive processes and, finally, field works to obtain data about the adopted measures. After, the measures adopted in each area were analyzed in terms of adequacy of the reclamation measures. The successes and failures were identified allowing the discussion about its suitability and to propose suggestion to the major problems. The geological, geotechnical and environmental characteristics of the degraded areas and improper actions were responsible for problems of the adopted measures.

Este trabalho realizou o levantamento das áreas de APP (Área de Preservação Permanente) e das áreas de RL (Reserva Legal) do município de Engenheiro Coelho - SP e alguns aspectos sobre a situação sócio-econômica dos proprietários rurais, partindo da hipótese de que as informações geográficas e sócio-econômicas podem ser úteis para guiar um plano de intervenção prático e viável, que proporcione ao município a otimização ao cumprimento legal em relação a estas áreas. A metodologia empregada envolveu a elaboração e aplicação de questionários, com a finalidade de obter dados suficientes para traçar parâmetros sobre os aspectos sociais e econômicos, relacionando-os com a aceitabilidade no momento da implantação de um plano de intervenção ambiental local. O uso de geoprocessamento da área e a elaboração de mapas através de SIG (Sistema de Informação Geográfica) foram fundamentais para conhecer a realidade do município em relação às áreas de preservação em cada propriedade, identificando-as e localizando as áreas com passivos de cobertura florestal. Para a adequação dessas áreas foi levado em consideração de critérios legais, para a recomposição da APP e RL, sendo que a RL foi estabelecida para facilitar a criação de corredores ecológicos. A área total de APP do município corresponde a 9,96% da área total. Deste total 7,73% apresentaram uso inadequado com a legislação ambiental. Vários locais aparecem com uso agrícola ou até mesmo construção de imóvel. A RL para a região é de 20%, mas somente 4,41% está com cobertura vegetal, restando 15,59% para ser reflorestado adequadamente. Adequar estes locais ajuda no cumprimento da legislação, na diminuição da fragmentação e perda dos ecossistemas naturais. Espera-se que as informações diagnosticadas neste estudo sejam relevantes para o poder público municipal, estadual e federal, planejar e executar ações concretas para a adequação das áreas de preservação permanente de sua responsabilidade no município de Engenheiro Coelho-SP; bem como criar subsídios e incentivos aos proprietários rurais. Ao realizar ações de reflorestamento ou conservação das áreas, espera-se também que haja parcerias entre as instâncias pública, privadas e educacionais do município, e que outros trabalhos surjam em conseqüência deste. / The research was based on an inventory of the legally protected areas from Engenheiro Coelho municipality (State of São Paulo, Brazil) and the social-economic condition of the rural population to guide a practical and feasible intervention plan aiming the adjustment to legal requirements. The methods were based on field surveys with questionnaires to build an empirical database of social and economic information that were related to the acceptance of an environmental adjustment plan. The use of geotechnologies resulting in Geographic Information System based maps was fundamental for the identification of the environmental standard of each rural property allowing the identification of areas that should be protected by natural forests and were used for other proposes. Legal criteria were considered for the adjustment plan of riparian forests (APP) and legal reserves (RL). RL were recommended to maximize the establishment of ecological corridors between the forest fragments. The APP corresponded to 9.96 % of the municipalities area. From these, 7.73 % didnt conform to legislation, i.e. were not covered by forests. Agricultural land use and even construction sites were observed in APP. The legal area of RL for this region is 20 %, but only 4.41 % was covered with forests, remaining 15.59 % to be reclaimed by natural forest plantations. The more adequate use of these land according environmental legislation contributes to reduce landscape patchiness and fragmentation and the lost of natural ecosystems. We hope that this academic information is useful to allow the municipal, state and federal governments plan and put into practice concrete actions to adjust legally protected areas of their responsibility in the municipality of Engenheiro Coelho; and also reinforce financial subsidy to encourage the rural land holders. The resulting reclamation and conservation actions may encourage cooperation among private, educational and public stakeholders bringing to new initiatives in the environmental sector.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Valdemar Martins da Silva Junior- 2015.pdf: 3819482 bytes, checksum: 97968b41a20cc121c38122d649390f5b (MD5) license_rdf: 19874 bytes, checksum: 38cb62ef53e6f513db2fb7e337df6485 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-24 / Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa - FUNAPE / The full depth reclamation technique of pavements consists in the reuse of granular materials of existing layers as well as the granular and bituminous materials that compose the deteriorated asphalt layer may also add aggregates or chemical stabilizers, giving rise to a new base that will receive a new asphalt layer. Besides eliminating the need of spoil area of material from asphalt layer deteriorated, this technique gives greater agility to the site and a reduction in costs. This research was motivated by the agreement between the university (Universidade Federal de Goiás) and the government inspection agency (Controladoria Geral do Estado de Goiás – CGE-GO) and its main objective to evaluate laboratory if the solutions specified in the project are technically suitable for the pavements offer a satisfactory performance. The research has the specific objectives: to determine if the amount of gravel added to recycling is the amount specified in the project and, if indeed, this percentage is the one submitting the best mechanical results and check whether there was or not the breaking of aggregates during the compaction. Initially, a deformed sample of recycling material of four roads were collected in the field and from the accomplishment of conventional laboratory tests (characterization, compaction, expansion and California Bearing Ratio) and dynamic triaxial tests their characteristics and properties were determined and analyzed. Furthermore, a dosage study related to the amount of gravel added to the mixture was also carried out to check which content would provide a better performance to the pavement. The stress analysis was performed using the computer program Sigma / W and from the stresses acting in the bases of the roads was obtained the resilient modulus values of each base material used in the reconstructions and the results were compared with values obtained in existing similar studies. Among the base materials used in the reconstructions of the four roads studied, three showed resilient modulus in the laboratory higher to 400 MPa. From the analysis of the results, it appears that the recycled base with the addition of gravel has potential of application in the region of study. However, to be successful in the practice and the best relation for money, it is important to make a preliminary study of dosage, set the adequate compaction power, perform executive control on the site and evaluate the technical basis of specifications which they consider mechanistic parameters, still little existing in Brazil. / A técnica de reciclagem profunda de pavimentos consiste na reutilização dos materiais granulares das camadas existentes, bem como dos materiais granulares e betuminosos que compõem o revestimento deteriorado, podendo ainda adicionar agregados ou estabilizantes químicos, dando origem a uma nova base que irá receber um novo revestimento asfáltico. Além de eliminar a necessidade de áreas destinadas ao bota fora do material proveniente do revestimento asfáltico deteriorado, essa técnica confere maior agilidade à obra e uma redução nos custos. A realização desta pesquisa foi motivada pelo convênio firmado entre a Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) e a Controladoria Geral do Estado de Goiás (CGE-GO) e tem como objetivo principal avaliar laboratorialmente se as soluções especificadas em projeto são adequadas tecnicamente para o pavimento oferecer um desempenho satisfatório. A pesquisa tem como objetivos específicos: verificar se a quantidade de brita adicionada à reciclagem é a especificada em projeto e, se de fato, esse percentual é o que apresenta o melhor resultado mecânico e verificar se houve ou não a quebra de agregados durante o processo de compactação. Inicialmente, foram coletadas em campo amostras deformadas do material proveniente da reciclagem do pavimento de quatro rodovias e a partir da realização de ensaios laboratoriais convencionais (caracterização, compactação, expansão e California Bearing Ratio) e de ensaios triaxiais dinâmicos suas características e propriedades foram determinadas e analisadas. Além disso, um estudo de dosagem referente à quantidade de brita adicionada à mistura também foi realizado para verificar qual teor proporcionaria um melhor desempenho ao pavimento. A análise de tensões foi realizada através do programa computacional Sigma/W e a partir das tensões atuantes nas bases das rodovias obteve-se os valores de módulo resiliente de cada material de base utilizado nas reconstruções e os resultados encontrados foram comparados com valores obtidos em estudos similares existentes. Dentre os materiais de base utilizados nas reconstruções das quatro rodovias estudadas, três apresentaram módulo resiliente em laboratório superior a 400 MPa. A partir da análise dos resultados, verifica-se que a base reciclada com adição de brita tem potencial de aplicação na região de estudo. No entanto, para ter sucesso no emprego da prática e a melhor relação custo benefício, é importante realizar estudo preliminar de dosagem, definir a energia de compactação adequada, realizar controle executivo na obra e avaliar a técnica com base em especificações que considerem parâmetros mecanísticos, ainda pouco existentes no Brasil.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, University of the Witwatersrand. September 2016. / The cause of the transformation of agricultural land to other land uses has been investigated, especially in the Northern Service Delivery of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality within Gauteng Province. This was achieved by evaluating the processes undertaken during the review of the land use applications and what was considered by the decision makers when making decisions on land use applications in order to determine the effectiveness of the legislations and policies in protecting agricultural land from been transformed to other uses such as residential and industrial activities. The literature review undertaken in this study showed that for South Africa, and particularly the Gauteng Province to be more successful in addressing the transformation of agricultural land to other land uses, different approaches are necessary. The review of literature showed that the South African legislations are fragmented and contribute to the transformation of agricultural land. In addition, it was highlighted that the South African government’s priority is on infrastructure development which is also considered the cause of the transformation of agricultural land, and this compels government to continuously amend the planning policies in order to accommodate pressure of development. Lastly, several studies highlighted that government is also focusing on the land reform programmes which are not sustainable hence failed due to lack of support from government. The results of the investigation confirmed that there is fragmentation of legislations and operational structure resulting in conflicting mandate and inconsistent decision making. This was pointed out through the experience of the participants during the questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. Data from the questionnaires, interviews and literature review was analysed to find information in order to address the research questions. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that legislations should be amended and ensures that the administration process is simple and aligned. Key words: Transformation of agricultural land, fragmented legislations, fragmented institutions and processes. / LG2017

Thesis (M. Dev) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The struggle for land ownership in South Africa continues despite the successful democratic dispensation. Among other apartheid legacies, the new South Africa inherited a highly skewed land ownership pattern based on racial inequalities of the apartheid regimes stemming from the colonial era. The new government introduced a comprehensive land reform programme, aimed at a non-racial distribution of land. The land reform programme consists of three subprogrammes namely redistribution, restitution and land tenure reform. Equity - share schemes are types of land reform, through which previously disadvantaged and landless people can pool their resources to engage in agricultural and other land-related production activities with white commercial farmers, corporations or sectors of government. A critical question has centered on whether equity-share schemes can- and - do really result in redistribution of power and resources. Most of the research work already done on equityshare schemes focused much on investigating their social and political aspects, leaving much attention on their financial performance. This research investigated the financial performance of equity-share schemes using a recognized set of financial indicators. As an additional input to the research, the study investigated perceptions of the scheme’s general performance based on empowerment of farm workers, gender equity, decision making or power relations and tenure security. A combination of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies was used to answer key questions of the study. These involved obtaining quantitative data from balance sheets and income statements as well as holding meetings with management committee and beneficiaries.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / This study aimed to assess the impact of the Land Restitution Programme on the livelihoods of the rural communities of Ga-Makgato village in the Molemole Municipality, Limpopo Province. As a basis of assessment, the primary and secondary data were collected and analysed. Electronic and non-electronic sources were used to collect secondary data while primary data were collected through pre-tested questionnaires. The study found that both males and females who are 38 in number participate in the land restitution programme. Of this number, 8% was found to be the youth, while the elderly and adults population of the beneficiaries of the CPA constitute 92%. Females constitute 47%, while the percentage of their male counterparts stood at 53%. In terms of the level of literacy, 11% of the total number of beneficiaries could not read or write and this is a serious concern of this study. Analysis of number of jobs created was also carried out. It was found in this study that the CPA managed to create on 38 jobs. In as far as income generating ability of the CPA is concerned, R1,5million was generated during the period under review. Of this amount, R710 000-00 came from the sales of Nguni cattle while the Bonsmara generated R650 000- 00. The following challenges were established in this study, i.e., lack of sufficient grazing space, lack of access to adequate funding, lack of technical and financial management skills, lack of sufficient government support, lack of access to adequate water sources, lack of access to markets, high electricity bills and lack of proper record keeping systems. 4 The following recommendations are provided:  The CPA should review the lease agreement;  LEDA should in consultation with other financial institutions assist the CPA in accessing funding;  The Department of Agriculture should provide the CPA with technical assistance;  The Department of Water Affairs and Agriculture should ensure supply of water and infrastructure;  The Department of Agriculture and LEDA should provide the beneficiaries of the CPA with market infrastructure and information;  The Molemole Local Municipality should provide subsidy for electricity bills; and  Policy makers should consider implementation of the job creation model provided in this study. If these policies can be successfully implemented, the land restitution programme in the Capricorn District, particularly at Ga-Makgato and surrounding villages, can become a major strategy for improving the livelihoods of the rural poor.

[Truncated abstract] Landforms rehabilitated after bauxite mining can be vulnerable to soil loss by water erosion processes. On most rehabilitated sites, management controls such as deep ripping, contour mounding and landscaped sub-catchments limit erosion. Despite these measures, severe gully erosion that is anecdotally associated with steep slopes can damage rehabilitated areas and affect downstream drinking water resources. A review of erosion dynamics reveals that gullies develop episodically and in a non-linear manner. They often initiated as a near surface process and are influenced by natural climatic drivers. Despite this, local site characteristics including soil and landform can predispose an area to gully erosion. Moreover, erosion models, becoming more-widely utilized within the mining industry, may provide useful tools with which to measure, analyse, and manage gully erosion. One of these models, SIBERIA was tested to determine its suitability for application a tool to help manage erosion risk. We first surveyed 26 eroding and erosion-prone rehabilitated hillslopes to determine the common form and setting for gully erosion on these rehabilitated bauxite mines. A conceptual model was developed to include and explore the interplay between the common causes of the gullies surveyed. The conceptual model accounts for slope steepness but suggests that additionally, certain triggers and threshold effects operating under different site conditions are as influential (or even more influential) than slope steepness as determinants of gully erosion occurrence and severity. ... Soil properties and soil erodibility had some subtle influence on landform stability and erosion risk. The most-erodible media occurred where either: mine floor material was mixed with topsoil/ overburden; and/or the topsoil/overburden layer was thin or its coverage is patchy resulting in slaking subsoil, hardsetting soil and surface crusts. When erodible surface media were combined with steeper (>8[degrees]) or longer (>50 m) slopes or with any major erosion trigger, rill and gully development was greatly intensified. The SIBERIA simulation model was calibrated and its simulated outputs were compared to known locations of gully erosion on a steep, rehabilitated pit from the Willowdale mine. At a resolution of one metre, SIBERIA was able to simulate the approximate dimensions of gullies. However, SIBERIA could not simulate the exact location of individual gully headcuts. Additionally, SIBERA was able to simulate the effect of different microtopographic surface treatments but this was only achieved by increasing the grid resolution to 25 cm and reducing the size of the area simulated due to model constraints. Locations of gully headcuts were overlain onto a grid-based, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The spatial distribution of gully headcut locations was compared to DEM derivatives such as slope and flow accumulation. Positive, and predictive relationships allow between the steepness of the slope of the pre-mining landform and the cell count of the area contributing to flow (catchment), as determined by GIS, may allow a mine scale indication of erosion risk using simple GIS desktop analysis.