Coal supplies over 90% of South Africa’s electrical energy power requirements. The coal mainly comes from the Witbank and Highveld coalfields, which together account for about 75% of South Africa’s production. However, the Witbank and Highveld coalfields will be depleted in the next 15 to 25 years. This poses an energy risk for the country unless replacements coalfields are fully developed in time. Of the country’s total of 19 known coalfields, the Waterberg coalfield despite its small geographical footprint is a suitable replacement for the Witbank and Highveld coalfields because it contains the largest known coal reserves. However, exploitation of the Waterberg coalfield faces challenges of mining deep-seated multiple coal seams that are intercalated with mudstone and shale in the top 50-60 m and occurring over a coal thickness in excess of 110m. For example, east of the Daarby fault, coal seams are at a depth in excess of 250m. This challenge is further amplified by the fact that South Africa currently does not have experience in mining deep, multi-seam coal formations. While the shallow reserves in the western portion of the Waterberg are currently mined by an open-pit, the deep eastern part will need to be exploited by multi-seam underground mining on a scale never before attempted in South Africa. This dissertation has reviewed international practice and concludes that United States experience is the most applicable to the underground mining of the Waterberg reserves. It is probable that total extraction using longwall will be the correct choice of mining method. Finally, this dissertation has illustrated the essential need for fundamental research if the industry is to successfully transition to the Waterberg. While a horizon of 20-25 years appears far- off to those concerned with day to day production issues, the mining, infrastructure, environmental and social issues are of such magnitude that co-ordinated research will need to be initiated well ahead of mining activities and preferably in the next few years.

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. Johannesburg, 2016. / Countries around the world are recognising the importance of geospatial data in answering questions related to spatially varying industries such as mining activities (ongoing and discontinued). This is becoming increasingly evident with countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom working towards establishing Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) inventories. However, the increasing need for data on mining activities is not paralleled by an increase in the availability of such data. The aim of this research therefore is to design a database for accessing historical and current geospatial data that can be used to support research, environmental management efforts as well as support decision making at all levels. A user needs survey was conducted. Two sampling methods were employed, convenient sampling and snowball sampling method. The convenient sampling method was used mostly with all the WDMP group members and the latter was employed with the respondents from institutions and organisations outside of the university respectively. The data were then categorised so as to make analysis easier and data could be evaluated on the same basis. An evaluation of the data collected showed that although the WDMP required different types of data (spatial and non- spatial) the data feed into each other and as such it is important that there is a central repository in which to store them. Furthermore investigation also shows that there is a wealth of data on current mining activities, but not so much on historical mining activities. Although data on mining activities exists, accessibility to these data is hindered by various factors such as copyright infringements, data costs, discrepancies in the data request process. The outcome of this research has been that of a physical database PostgreSQL database (PostGIS) and one mounted on an online platform (GeoServer). The databases can be visualised on PostgreSQL using select statements or visualisation through establishing a connection with QGIS, alternatively the database may be accessed on GeoServer. The database is expected to be of use to at least all members of the Wits Digital Mine Project (WDMP) and stakeholders involved in the project. The database can be used for baseline studies and also as a basis for the framework used to analyse, remedy as well as predict future challenges in the mining industry. Moreover, the database can act as a central repository for all data produced from the WDMP. / LG2017

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1963. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-81). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Precambrian rock formations

Texte remanié de: Dissertation--La Trobe university, 2005. / Bibliogr. p. 166-179.

Thèse de doctorat : Psychologie : Metz : 2007. / Thèse soutenue sur ensemble de travaux. Bibliogr. 223-243. Annexes p. 247-292.

Thesis (M.A.) - Simon Fraser University, 2005. / Theses (Dept. of Political Science) / Simon Fraser University. Also issued in digital format and available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Lawrence J. Ziomek, Ziaoping Yun. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63). Also available online.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of South Australia, 1998