Thesis (Ph. D.)--Dept. of Geosciences and School of Computing and Engineering. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2004. / "A dissertation in geosciences and computer networking." Advisor: Wei Ji. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed Feb. 28, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-236). Online version of the print edition.

The general characteristics of gold deposits are reviewed, and a classification of gold deposits based on mineability is proposed. Evaluation, mlnlng and beneficiation methods are briefly discussed. It is concluded that the most viable targets for small-scale companies comprise deposits that require the least pre-production time and expense. Great potential exists for the small-scale reclamation of gold from tailings dumps and abandoned mines in Southern Africa. There is also potential for developing new smallscale gold mines in the Archaean greenstone terranes of the Zimbabwean and Kaapvaal cratons.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-95).

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Mining has historically been the mainstay of the South African economy and has both shaped its social and environmental fabric. However, it has left the country with a negative legacy of abandoned mines that present environmental problems, and public health and safety concerns. The common physical and environmental problems of most of these abandoned mines are associated with open shafts, unstable slopes of waste dumps and pits, and dilapidated mine infrastructure. Even though the problems of these abandoned mines are known, little has been done to rehabilitate these mines. Some attempts have been made to rehabilitate mine openings but efforts to rehabilitate features such as mine waste dumps and dilapidated infrastructure has been woefully inadequate. The reasons for ineffective rehabilitation measures may include inappropriate measures that are used in rehabilitation of the abandoned mines, lack of financial resources to carry out the rehabilitation and the need to prioritize abandoned mine features and mine sites for rehabilitation in view of the fact that there are many of these abandoned mines that require urgent attention and resources to rehabilitate them are limited. It is therefore important that practicable rehabilitation strategies are developed and used to rehabilitate mine features and sites to provide long-lasting solutions to the physical, environmental, and social problems. This study focused on the evaluation of strategies for rehabilitation of selected abandoned mine sites in the Giyani Greenstone Belt. The approach used in this study involved conducting a detailed field inventory and characterization to establish the nature and seriousness of the physical and environmental conditions of the selected abandoned/historic mining sites in Giyani Greenstone Belt. Field inventory and characterization involved traversing around the mine-site to locate and describe abandoned mine features. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was used in capturing the absolute location of the identified major abandoned mine features such as open mine shafts, tailings dump, and dilapidated infrastructure. Each of the identified mine features was critically analyzed by scoring and ranking the associated hazards. The scoring focused on the source of the hazard, exposure pathways, and possible damage that might be caused by the hazard. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Pugh Matrix were used to devise a multi-criteria framework for evaluating mine site rehabilitation strategies. AHP method was utilized to evaluate the significance of the deciding factors and the Pugh Matrix to relatively compare the strategies for the selection of the appropriate rehabilitation options. The results of the study showed that the best approach to effectively address the physical and environmental hazards at Louis Moore and Klein Letaba abandoned mines of the Giyani Greenstone Belt was to give priority to extremely hazardous open mine shafts and tailings dumps. Mine shafts present a high risk of falling and drowning in water in the mine workings. Such risks are likely to lead to death with no hope of recovery of the body. The next mine features to be rehabilitated are the tailings dumps since they have relatively less physical hazards but extremely high environmental hazards. Abandoned mine infrastructure was found to be less hazardous and should, therefore, receive the least attention. The preferred rehabilitation strategies for abandoned mines features were evaluated after a comprehensive characterization of the site, this was done to ensure that the selected strategy addresses both physical and environmental problems identified on the site. Based on the results of evaluation, backfilling was selected to be the most suitable rehabilitation strategy for mine shafts as it has a very high potential to eliminate the risks of people falling into the mine shaft and the chances of water contamination by abandoned mine shafts. The most ideal rehabilitation option for tailings dumps was revegetation, since it ensures the safety of the site after implementation and minimizes the future environmental impacts such as the discharge of contaminants to the nearby environment. The most preferred rehabilitation strategy for dilapidated abandoned infrastructure in the study area was the demolition of the infrastructure, this strategy will improve the safety status of the mine sites and make the land they occupy available for other traditional post-mining land uses. It was concluded that the approach of prioritizing the extremely and moderately hazardous abandoned mine features is appropriate for use in developing countries where there are numerous abandoned mines and limited resources to rehabilitate them. This will go a long way in ensuring that characterization and rehabilitation of the abandoned mine features are effectively carried out within the constraints of resources. / NRF

Historically on a global scale and in South Africa it was common practice for mining operators to abandon a mine once the mineral extraction on site was completed. The operators had no obligation to rehabilitate the land and in most cases the disturbed areas were abandoned with no regard for the residual impacts that the site may present or the continued environmental deterioration. This represents the mining legacy of many countries, particularly in South Africa. The continual underestimations in financial provisioning for premature mine closure, leads to the continual abandonment of mining sites. Abandoned mines and the resultant legacy of environmental pollution are of major concern as literature indicates that there are around 6000 abandoned sites in South Africa. The problem is that no-one is currently taking responsibility for these sites as the Minister for Mineral Resources has stated that the South African government would not take the liability onto them. With this being said the burden still falls on the state as the mining companies responsible for the pollution may no longer exist or have the finances to carry out post-closure rehabilitation to ensure that the site no longer poses a threat to the environment. To address a similar problem, Western Australia has implemented the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 33 (2012) which delegates due responsibility for abandoned sites. The act provides for a government administered pooled fund into which all current mining operators pay an annual levy. The funds are used to rehabilitate abandoned mining areas, alleviating the burden of government to solely fund their rehabilitation. The aim of this research is, therefore, to investigate the viability of Western Australia‟s Mining Rehabilitation Fund as a fiscal policy solution for the rehabilitation of South African abandoned mines. To achieve this aim, three lines of inquiry are pursued. Firstly, to “identify the challenges related to abandonment of mine sites in South Africa,” secondly “to compare the legal provisions for abandoned mine sites management in South Africa with that of Western Australia, specifically the rehabilitation fund” and lastly “to investigate how such a policy will be received by stakeholders in the South African mining industry.” The research was approached from a pragmatic philosophical stance. A qualitative dominant mixed methods research approach with an embedded design is used for data analysis. The strategies of inquiry consist of a literature review, comparative analysis and open-ended interview questions which provide qualitative data and structured survey questions which produces quantitative data. Surveys were carried out with selected stakeholders to investigate how such a policy will be received in the South African mining industry. The methods employed for the analyses of data consist of a scoping and literature review, coding and categorising, a comparative analysis, the identification of themes and analytical evaluation of survey data. An article format was chosen for the presentation of results and is presented in chapter 4. The challenges related to the abandonment of mine sites in South Africa are related to skills shortages, poor enforcement of existing legislation and an out of date Guideline document for the evaluation of the quantum of closure related financial provision (DME, 2005). The comparison of the legal provisions for abandoned mine sites management in South Africa with that of Western Australia, highlighted that both frameworks have the intention to protect the environment and promote sustainable mining but as can be seen in South Africa, even if the intentions of the legislation is good, it has limited value without proper implementation and enforcement. The results indicate a general feeling of stakeholders that such a policy is necessary and will be beneficial, but the respondents have doubts in the ability of the South African government to enforce the law. They also felt that it was unfair to hold the current mining operators responsible for the heedless actions of the previous miners and ruling party. / MSc (Geography and Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Historically on a global scale and in South Africa it was common practice for mining operators to abandon a mine once the mineral extraction on site was completed. The operators had no obligation to rehabilitate the land and in most cases the disturbed areas were abandoned with no regard for the residual impacts that the site may present or the continued environmental deterioration. This represents the mining legacy of many countries, particularly in South Africa. The continual underestimations in financial provisioning for premature mine closure, leads to the continual abandonment of mining sites. Abandoned mines and the resultant legacy of environmental pollution are of major concern as literature indicates that there are around 6000 abandoned sites in South Africa. The problem is that no-one is currently taking responsibility for these sites as the Minister for Mineral Resources has stated that the South African government would not take the liability onto them. With this being said the burden still falls on the state as the mining companies responsible for the pollution may no longer exist or have the finances to carry out post-closure rehabilitation to ensure that the site no longer poses a threat to the environment. To address a similar problem, Western Australia has implemented the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 33 (2012) which delegates due responsibility for abandoned sites. The act provides for a government administered pooled fund into which all current mining operators pay an annual levy. The funds are used to rehabilitate abandoned mining areas, alleviating the burden of government to solely fund their rehabilitation. The aim of this research is, therefore, to investigate the viability of Western Australia‟s Mining Rehabilitation Fund as a fiscal policy solution for the rehabilitation of South African abandoned mines. To achieve this aim, three lines of inquiry are pursued. Firstly, to “identify the challenges related to abandonment of mine sites in South Africa,” secondly “to compare the legal provisions for abandoned mine sites management in South Africa with that of Western Australia, specifically the rehabilitation fund” and lastly “to investigate how such a policy will be received by stakeholders in the South African mining industry.” The research was approached from a pragmatic philosophical stance. A qualitative dominant mixed methods research approach with an embedded design is used for data analysis. The strategies of inquiry consist of a literature review, comparative analysis and open-ended interview questions which provide qualitative data and structured survey questions which produces quantitative data. Surveys were carried out with selected stakeholders to investigate how such a policy will be received in the South African mining industry. The methods employed for the analyses of data consist of a scoping and literature review, coding and categorising, a comparative analysis, the identification of themes and analytical evaluation of survey data. An article format was chosen for the presentation of results and is presented in chapter 4. The challenges related to the abandonment of mine sites in South Africa are related to skills shortages, poor enforcement of existing legislation and an out of date Guideline document for the evaluation of the quantum of closure related financial provision (DME, 2005). The comparison of the legal provisions for abandoned mine sites management in South Africa with that of Western Australia, highlighted that both frameworks have the intention to protect the environment and promote sustainable mining but as can be seen in South Africa, even if the intentions of the legislation is good, it has limited value without proper implementation and enforcement. The results indicate a general feeling of stakeholders that such a policy is necessary and will be beneficial, but the respondents have doubts in the ability of the South African government to enforce the law. They also felt that it was unfair to hold the current mining operators responsible for the heedless actions of the previous miners and ruling party. / MSc (Geography and Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / Abandoned mines in South Africa have created a series of environmental legacies around the mining community in the form of health hazard (air pollution), land degradation and illegal mining activities. The biggest mine environmental legacy that is being addressed today in South Africa is that of abandoned mines, particularly asbestos and the process of cleaning up asbestos mining dumps in South Africa as implemented by Mintek (state owned mineral processing and metallaurgical research instistute)on behalf of Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and this form the main basis of this research study. The history of abandoned mines, particularly asbestos mining, is that the mining peaked and took place during the time when there were no environmental regulations forcing mining companies to take control of their waste. The only legislation was the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act No.45 of 1965). The Mineral Act, which regulated most of the mining activity in South Africa was promulgated in 1991 and was enacted as Act No.50 in 1991. Apart from the environmental challenges, these mines are located in rural areas with high unemployment levels and poor infrastructure, and therefore all solutions would require these matter to be addressed as well. This study was based on a literature review involving bamboo as a potential vegetation cover to be grown on abandoned mineland both for rehabilitation and with intention to harvest it for energy use. This would hope to address some of the socioeconomic issues within the communities surrounding such abandoned asbestos mines. Penge area in the Limpopo Province is proposed as the site for a pilot study for such bamboo cultivation. Bamboos are a large group of rapidly growing woody grasses, mainly found in the IndoChina regions of the world that can be sustainably managed in short-cycle harvesting schemes. They offer many benefits like erosion control, architectural properties for rural construction activities and can be used as biomass feedstock for the bioenergy economy. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to grow bamboo in the Penge based on its physio-climatic conditions. The literature review proposes , Bambusa balcooa, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus strictus and Phyllostachys edulis as suitable bamboo species for the region. Based on rudimetary simple evaluation model the area will produce 14 tonnes/ha/year of biomass in the 5th year of harvesting, increasing to and stabilizing to 47 tonnes /ha/year in the 7th year and it has proven economically feasible to proudce energy from the amount of feedstock generated. / XL2018

Thesis (Professional Degree)--University of Missouri, School of Mines and Metallurgy, 1939. / The entire thesis text is included in file. Typescript. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed April 22, 2010)

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF ANDISIWE STUURMAN, for the Master of Science degree in Geography and Environmental Resources, presented on APRIL 10, 2015, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: AN ASSESSMENT OF ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION IN SOUTH AFRICA USING A SURVEY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Silvia Secchi Abandoned mines are those in which mining activity has ceased and there is no entity or company that can be traced to take responsibility for their maintenance or reclamation. It has been reported that there are approximately 6,150 abandoned mines in South Africa and it is estimated that it will cost $US4.2 billion to rehabilitate these mines over a very long period of time. The South African Department of Mineral Resources has set a reclamation target of 12 abandoned mines per year. This low target is what led to the interest in understanding the dynamics of abandoned mine reclamation in South Africa. An online survey of environmental experts in South Africa was conducted from December 2014 to January 2015 to elicit their opinions on the public's perception of abandoned mine reclamation and to assess whether their views are aligned in terms the cost of reclamation, sources of funding, how to accelerate the process of reclamation and credible sources of information for environmental issues. A total of 54 responses were collected, with good representation of respondents from each province in South Africa although the majority came from Gauteng, Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. The results of the survey revealed that there are several challenges that are slowing down the process of reclamation in South Africa including limited sources of funding, water resources at risk, and disproportionate ratio of experts between the private and public sector. About 80% of the respondents in the survey said that the public would not be willing to contribute towards a reclamation fund. A majority of the respondents who consider themselves experts in reclamation were of the opinion that the government and the mining industry should be primarily responsible for reclamation. After careful review of the results and other government reports related to reclamation in South Africa, it appears that the establishment of an abandoned mine reclamation fund would be a good policy for South Africa, as would be conducting studies to explore possible funding options, ring-fencing tax money for special purposes such as reclamation of abandoned mines, and developing guidelines and standards for abandoned mine reclamation or land reclamation.

Im Artikel werden deterministische und probabilistische Verfahren zur Bewertung des Risikos in tagesbruchgefährdeten Braunkohlengebieten vorgestellt und verglichen. Dabei wird besonders auf die Theorien zu den Bruchwahrscheinlichkeiten nach Fenk und Päßler eingegangen und die wechselseitigen Abhängigkeiten beleuchtet. Weiterhin werden die Möglichkeiten eines altbergbaulichen Risikomanagementes auf der Basis von Bruchwahrscheinlichkeiten mit ihren Vor- und Nachteilen aufgezeigt.