Air pollution is one of many issues that have a direct impact upon the economy and the well-being of society in South Africa. Domestic coal combustion contributes significantly to the air pollution problem in the country. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection have been employed in this study. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 100 households in Doornkop (Soweto) and 100 households in KwaGuqa (Witbank). The observations were carried out simultaneously while the questionnaire surveys were being administered in both study areas. Interviews were also held with Eskom (the Electricity Supply Commission of South Africa) officials. Finally, the indoor concentrations and elemental composition of respirable particulate matter (PM7) were measured in three different types of households: electrified without coal burning, electrified with coal burning, and un-electrified with coal burning. The results show that township households, whether electrified or not, continue to burn coal. In both study areas, 80 % of electrified households burn coal for space heating and cooking. Although the major obstacles preventing people from discontinuing domestic coal combustion are poverty and the ready availability and social acceptability of coal, the social value of a fire inside township households cannot be underrated. Previously developed coal-supply networks still exist in the townships and makes coal utilisation very convenient. The findings also point to use of multiple fuels in the communities studied. The key fuels used for domestic energy supply are coal, electricity and paraffin. Emergent patterns of domestic coal combustion, driven in part by various societal dimensions, are also observed. Further, despite the previously observed increase in respiratory ailments in winter, township residents do not think that such increases are linked to domestic coal combustion. The study, as shown here, is in line with theories of the energy ladder which posits that as people’s financial situations improve, their energy-use patterns change. Indoor aerosol concentrations followed the same trends in all selected households with morning and evening peaks. These peaks are directly related to the making of coal fires. The highest aerosol levels, reaching a maximum of 2344.89 μg.m-3, are recorded in the un-electrified coal-burning household. Aerosol concentrations are slightly lower, averaging 1854.07 μg.m-3, in the electrified coal-burning household, implying a slight decrease in the amount of coal burnt. The lowest aerosol concentrations, averaging 478.74 μg.m-3, are recorded in the electrified household with no coal-burning. Elemental analysis reveals that the biggest contributor to respirable particles in KwaGuqa is soil dust followed by coal smoke, and then emissions from neighbouring steel smelters, whilst traffic emissions are the lowest contributor. Most importantly, it is people’s activities that determine the type and levels of respirable aerosols that they are exposed to as compared to the fuel-use patterns and types of fuels used in their household. In conclusion, electrification might phase out domestic coal combustion in the long term but only if the economic status of coal users improves. Alternatively, there is an opportunity to reduce emissions by introducing a low-smoke solid fuel, however, households will only use it if it is priced competitively and its heating and ignition properties are similar to, or better than, those of coal.

A project report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master ofil science in Engineering. / Given the high capital intensity of the dragline operation, the mine can not afford to" tolerate fragmentation problems with its concomitant low dragline productivities. At Syferfontein colliery very large boulders and completely unfraqmented sections resulting in Low digging efficiency of the dragline were encountered in the interburden blast, This project, investigates the causes of the blasting related problems with an intent of improving dragline productivity at the minimum possible cost. This is achieved through blast monitoring, evaluation of the existing practice (blast design) using empirical relations, fragmentation assessment using a model, analysis of operators performance and dragline availabilities. Dragline productivity is evaluated in the light of the various productivity indices , viz, fill factor, fill time and BCM/H. The results indicated explosive incompatibility with the blasting environment and. questionable practices regarding blast design and Delay performance. Engineering field controls such as reduction in drill pattern, reduction of VODof explosive and improvement in draqline utilisation are found necessary. Contributing 61% to the total cost I concentrating on reducing draqline cost must receive preference over drilling and blasting cost as it would produce the most tangible advantage in any cost reduction effort. Regression equations relating cbst and productivity are established. / Andrew Chakane 2018

Thesis (M.Com. (Development Theory and Policy))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2014. / Economic activities such as mining extraction and farming have in the past been supported by railway infrastructure, which continues to provide a cheap transportation option for the movement of freight. This research paper looks at the apparent bias that exists in the shared-use of railway infrastructure in South Africa between coal miners and citrus growers in Mpumalanga. The study is specifically concerned with the regulatory regime governing access and the extent to which it enables or hinders the shared-use of rail infrastructure, which is critical in the movement of freight for different sectors of the economy. The paper uses literature on regulatory practices and a case study of Mpumalanga’s coal miners and citrus growers, to investigate South Africa’s regulatory regime and its role in creating particular biases in the use of rail infrastructure.

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This study attempts to provide detailed analysis of materials gathered from various sources and to an orderly presentation of facts and figures regarding railway construction in China.

The thesis lies at the intersection of the concepts of "beyond" meaning surpassing and "waste" referring to the materials and resources that are often discarded or overlooked, are the focus of this project. Overall, the project represents a commitment to surpassing conventional limits and transforming waste into a valuable resource. This project also proposes a new ethical architectural practice that seeks to challenge traditional design approaches by exploring the potential of waste as a valuable input in building design. By deviating from conventional methods and proposing new ideas, the study aims to rethink traditional practices and create a new view toward the incorporation of waste in architecture. By adopting the principles outlined in the book "Cradle to Cradle" the project embraces the 4 R's of recycling, reducing, reusing, and recovering, demonstrating how waste can be transformed into valuable input in building design. This ethical framework emphasizes the reuse, recycling, repurposing, and recovery of waste in architecture. Through this project, the aim is to challenge the current ways in which architecture is designed, with a view toward promoting sustainable practices and a more responsible approach to architectural design. Ultimately, this thesis offers a new ethical perspective on how waste can participate in the way we design buildings, and presents a potential pathway towards a more sustainable future for the field of architecture. / Master of Architecture / This project focuses on the concept of surpassing conventional limits and transforming waste into a valuable resource. It proposes an ethical architectural practice that challenges traditional design approaches by exploring the potential of waste in building design. By adopting the principles of reducing, reusing, recycling, and regulating, the project demonstrates how waste can be transformed into valuable input. The goal is to promote sustainable practices and a responsible approach to architectural design. Ultimately, this thesis offers a new perspective on how waste can contribute to the way we design buildings, paving the way for a more sustainable future in architecture.

School of Mining Engineering, Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry, University of the Witwatersran, 2018 / The predicaments faced by humanity today differ from the past due to the increasing scale of human influence, complexities and uncertainties (Allen et al., 2010), which limit management options. Adaptive management is based on the philosophy that knowledge is incomplete i.e. there will always be uncertainty and unpredictability in the behaviour and dynamics of complex social-ecological systems. Given the complexity of the South African mining industry, this research aimed to explore the link between management and science by assessing the extent to which an adaptive management approach had been incorporated into short-term and long-term mitigation strategies for the discharge of acid mine water in the Witwatersrand Basin. The methodology included a review of the adopted mitigation strategy document, a literature review of adaptive management literature and an in-depth analysis of a case study using nine interviews, conducted with key informants and contributors from the government, an educational institution, industry (mines currently dealing with the issue), and civil society. An inductive and descriptive approach was followed to gather and analyse data to formulate answers to the research questions. The findings of the study indicated that the efforts that went into designing the short-term solutions were limited due to the lack of communicating amongst stakeholders and the failure to incorporate a value-based approach. Results also showed that complexities and uncertainties were not addressed to allow for adaptation to constant change. It was found that the short-term interventions had no managerial flexibility which limited learning. Insufficient monitoring and a lack of transparency regarding the dissemination of monitoring results were highlighted. Moreover, experimental efforts were limited due to lack of capacity and funding. In conclusion, although the long-term strategy incorporated some aspects of adaptive management, the short-term mitigation measures were reactive rather than proactive. It is recommended that on-going training and good communication are maintained amongst stakeholders. Recommendations for economic constraints include the sharing of costs through partnerships, evaluating trade-offs between costs and effectiveness and investigating cheaper measuring methods for monitoring. Risk-averse initiatives such as conducting risk assessments during pilot studies and accommodating for different project scales can be employed to mitigate against resources that are sensitive to change. / XL2019

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Engineering 2019 / Successful adoption of new technologies is critical for the improvement of efficiency and the enhancement of health and safety in South African mining industry operations. However, the process of new digital technology adoption in the South African mining industry has been slow and difficult. This research is aimed at addressing some of the problems associated with the process. As part of this research, a new blueprint has been developed to guide the commissioning entity through the entire process of new digital technology adoption and installation. The new blueprint will provide capability to monitor the quality of the work during adoption, as well as assessment of the outcome of the adoption by measuring the level of compliance for every activity performed by the commissioning entity during the adoption. The reliability of the new blueprint was verified by assessing the performance of the Wits Mining Institute (WMI) in its installation project of the Schauenburg system. The outcome of the new blueprint verification reveals poor planning and inadequate preparation during the installation of this project. The outcome also indicates that application of the new blueprint will reduce the problems associated with the adoption and speed up new digital technology adoption and its installation for better functionality. / NG (2020)