Thesis (Ph. D.)--Université de Lausanne, 1996. / At head of title: Université de Lausanne, Faculté de droit. Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-244).

Growing demand for electricity forces suppliers to expand their generation capacity. Financing these expansion programmes results in electricity cost increases above inflation rates. By reducing electricity consumption, additional supply capacity is created at lower costs than the building of conventional power stations. Therefore, there is strong justification to reduce electricity consumption on the supplier and consumer side. The mining and industrial sectors of South Africa consumed approximately 43% of the total electricity supplied by Eskom during 2012. Approximately 10% of this electricity was used to produce compressed air. By reducing the electricity consumption of compressed air systems, operating costs are reduced. In turn this reduces the strain on the South African electricity network. Previous energy saving projects on mine compressed air systems realised savings that were not always sustainable. Savings deteriorated due to, amongst others, rapid employee turnover, improper training, lack of maintenance and system changes. There is therefore a need to improve projects that have already been implemented on mine compressed air systems. The continuous improvement of equipment (such as improved control valves) and the availability of newer technologies can be used to improve existing energy saving strategies. This study provides a solution to reduce the electricity consumption and operating costs of a deep level mine compressed air system. This was achieved by modernising and improving an existing underground compressed air saving strategy. This improvement resulted in a power saving of 1.15 MW; a saving equivalent to an annual cost saving of R4.16 million. It was found that the improved underground compressed air DSM project realised significant additional electrical energy savings. This resulted in ample cost savings to justify the implementation of the project improvements. It is recommended that opportunities to improve existing electrical energy saving projects on surface compressed air systems are investigated. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

ISO 14001 is the specification and guideline providing the framework for the establishment of the EMS. It was first published in September 1996 and updated in November 2004. It was developed by ISO, a Geneva-based NGO that promotes the development and implementation of international standards (Darnall, 2001:2). EMS is part of the organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy and manage its environmental impacts (ISO 14001, 2004:2). In South Africa there is no legal requirement for EMSs to be put into place, other than where it may have been made a condition of a permit or licence application. All Underground Platinum Mines are required to develop, document, implement, maintain and review their EMS, which should be certified toISO14001:2004 (AEW, 2009:13). The problem is that the implementation of an EMS is associated with a number of shortcomings and may be seen as a paper exercise to satisfy the needs of external auditors during audits with no particular value accruing to the organisation. The aim of the research was to determine the operational value of the ISO 14001 EMS at selected Underground Platinum Mines. A structured survey-based research study was conducted among employees in three different operations within Underground Platinum Mine. This included literature and case studies review, interviews with key EMS implementers and distribution of questionnaires to those employees involved with the EMS implementation. The main aim of the research has been achieved and all the research sub-questions were answered. The study concludes that the ISO 14001 EMS as implemented at Underground Platinum Mine is not merely a paper exercise but has an operational value. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Growing demand for electricity forces suppliers to expand their generation capacity. Financing these expansion programmes results in electricity cost increases above inflation rates. By reducing electricity consumption, additional supply capacity is created at lower costs than the building of conventional power stations. Therefore, there is strong justification to reduce electricity consumption on the supplier and consumer side. The mining and industrial sectors of South Africa consumed approximately 43% of the total electricity supplied by Eskom during 2012. Approximately 10% of this electricity was used to produce compressed air. By reducing the electricity consumption of compressed air systems, operating costs are reduced. In turn this reduces the strain on the South African electricity network. Previous energy saving projects on mine compressed air systems realised savings that were not always sustainable. Savings deteriorated due to, amongst others, rapid employee turnover, improper training, lack of maintenance and system changes. There is therefore a need to improve projects that have already been implemented on mine compressed air systems. The continuous improvement of equipment (such as improved control valves) and the availability of newer technologies can be used to improve existing energy saving strategies. This study provides a solution to reduce the electricity consumption and operating costs of a deep level mine compressed air system. This was achieved by modernising and improving an existing underground compressed air saving strategy. This improvement resulted in a power saving of 1.15 MW; a saving equivalent to an annual cost saving of R4.16 million. It was found that the improved underground compressed air DSM project realised significant additional electrical energy savings. This resulted in ample cost savings to justify the implementation of the project improvements. It is recommended that opportunities to improve existing electrical energy saving projects on surface compressed air systems are investigated. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

ISO 14001 is the specification and guideline providing the framework for the establishment of the EMS. It was first published in September 1996 and updated in November 2004. It was developed by ISO, a Geneva-based NGO that promotes the development and implementation of international standards (Darnall, 2001:2). EMS is part of the organisation’s management system used to develop and implement its environmental policy and manage its environmental impacts (ISO 14001, 2004:2). In South Africa there is no legal requirement for EMSs to be put into place, other than where it may have been made a condition of a permit or licence application. All Underground Platinum Mines are required to develop, document, implement, maintain and review their EMS, which should be certified toISO14001:2004 (AEW, 2009:13). The problem is that the implementation of an EMS is associated with a number of shortcomings and may be seen as a paper exercise to satisfy the needs of external auditors during audits with no particular value accruing to the organisation. The aim of the research was to determine the operational value of the ISO 14001 EMS at selected Underground Platinum Mines. A structured survey-based research study was conducted among employees in three different operations within Underground Platinum Mine. This included literature and case studies review, interviews with key EMS implementers and distribution of questionnaires to those employees involved with the EMS implementation. The main aim of the research has been achieved and all the research sub-questions were answered. The study concludes that the ISO 14001 EMS as implemented at Underground Platinum Mine is not merely a paper exercise but has an operational value. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The birth of a non-racial democracy in South Africa brought many challenges such as the supply of potable water to all societies irrespective of their colour or even location. Migration of people from rural to urban has increased the demand of potable water supply in many areas that were previously neglected by the former Apartheid regime. The increase of the human population in urban or developing areas of South Africa will therefore imply that various public services such as potable water supply, proper housing, electricity supply, schooling and basic health facilities should be provided in an efficient, effective and economic manner. As the resident of Khuma Township, the researcher has a keen interest in the management of potable water supply in this area, inter alia, the nature and extent of the physical environment and the efficiency and effectiveness of a potable water supply as a means of improving service delivery by the Matlosana Local Municipality to Khuma Township. The area has the history of gold mining and the majority of the people from other rural areas and neighbouring states moved into this area and were later joined by their families. This resulted in an increase in the population to a point where people were placed in dangerous areas such as underlying dolomite and along the Koekemoer spruit. For example, extension 6 is known to experience sinkholes due to underground mining activities and the underline dolomite rock. The population has increased in Khuma Township to such an extent that a shortage of potable water supply is been experienced. Khuma Township had one water reservoir for the past 40 years and Matlosana Local Municipality did not improve or developed infrastructure related to potable water supply to be able to cater for the increasing population of this area. An empirical study was conducted in among the residents of Khuma Township, Matlosana Local Municipality and role-players in the management of potable water supply. From this study, it was evident that the supply of potable water in Khuma Township is insufficient, and there was poor communication, cooperation and participation between Matlosana Local Municipality and the residents of Khuma Township. The ineffective management of potable water supply in Khuma Township by the Matlosana Local Municipality as well as ignoring the significance of settling people in a safe area that is free from water pollution, sinkholes and underlying dolomite rock left a lot to be desired. The researcher arrived at logical conclusions and recommendations with regard to all aspects related to future management of potable water supply in Khuma Township. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The birth of a non-racial democracy in South Africa brought many challenges such as the supply of potable water to all societies irrespective of their colour or even location. Migration of people from rural to urban has increased the demand of potable water supply in many areas that were previously neglected by the former Apartheid regime. The increase of the human population in urban or developing areas of South Africa will therefore imply that various public services such as potable water supply, proper housing, electricity supply, schooling and basic health facilities should be provided in an efficient, effective and economic manner. As the resident of Khuma Township, the researcher has a keen interest in the management of potable water supply in this area, inter alia, the nature and extent of the physical environment and the efficiency and effectiveness of a potable water supply as a means of improving service delivery by the Matlosana Local Municipality to Khuma Township. The area has the history of gold mining and the majority of the people from other rural areas and neighbouring states moved into this area and were later joined by their families. This resulted in an increase in the population to a point where people were placed in dangerous areas such as underlying dolomite and along the Koekemoer spruit. For example, extension 6 is known to experience sinkholes due to underground mining activities and the underline dolomite rock. The population has increased in Khuma Township to such an extent that a shortage of potable water supply is been experienced. Khuma Township had one water reservoir for the past 40 years and Matlosana Local Municipality did not improve or developed infrastructure related to potable water supply to be able to cater for the increasing population of this area. An empirical study was conducted in among the residents of Khuma Township, Matlosana Local Municipality and role-players in the management of potable water supply. From this study, it was evident that the supply of potable water in Khuma Township is insufficient, and there was poor communication, cooperation and participation between Matlosana Local Municipality and the residents of Khuma Township. The ineffective management of potable water supply in Khuma Township by the Matlosana Local Municipality as well as ignoring the significance of settling people in a safe area that is free from water pollution, sinkholes and underlying dolomite rock left a lot to be desired. The researcher arrived at logical conclusions and recommendations with regard to all aspects related to future management of potable water supply in Khuma Township. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The automation of the tramming or load, haul and dump (LHD) procedure, performed by a LHD vehicle, holds the potential to improve productivity, efficiency and safety in the mining environment. Productivity is mainly increased by longer working hours; efficiency is improved by repetitive, faultless and predictable work; and safety is improved by removing the human operator from the harsh environment. However, before the automation of the process can be addressed, a thorough understanding of the process and its duty in the overall mining method is required. Therefore, the current applicable mining methods and their areas of potential automation are given. Since the automation of the LHD vehicle is at the core of this project, its implementation in the tramming process is also justified. Also, the current underground navigation methods are given and their shortcomings are named. It is concluded that infrastructure-free navigation is the only viable solution in the ever-changing mining environment. With that in mind, the feasibility of various navigation sensors is discussed and conclusions are drawn. Both kinematic and dynamic modelling of LHD vehicles are introduced. Various forms of kinematic models are given and their underlying modelling assumptions are named. The most prominent assumptions concern the vehicle’s half-length and the inclusion of a wheel-slip factor. Dynamic modelling techniques, with a strong emphasis on tyre modelling, are also stated. In order to evaluate the modelling techniques, field tests are performed on the articulated vehicles, namely the Wright 365 LHD and the Bell 1706C loader. The test on the Wright 365 LHD gives a good impression of the harsh ergonomics under which the operator has to work. A more thorough test is performed on the Bell 1706C articulated loader. The test results are then compared to simulation results obtained from the kinematic models. Also, the above-named assumptions are tested, evaluated and discussed. A dynamic model is also simulated and discussed. Lastly, two localization and control methods are given and evaluated. The first method is an open-loop nonlinear optimal control strategy with periodic position resetting and the second method is a pathtracking controller. AFRIKAANS : Automatisering van die laai-, vervoer- en dompel- (LVD) prosedure het die potensiaal om die produktiwiteit, effektiwiteit en veiligheid van die mynbedryf te verbeter. Produktiwiteit word hoofsaaklik deur langer werksure verhoog, effektiwiteit word deur herhalende, foutlose en voorspelbare werk verbeter en veiligheid word verbeter omdat menslike operateurs uit die gevaarlike ondergrondse omgewing verwyder word. Voordat aandag aan die automatisering van die prosedure geskenk kan word, moet die prosedure en die algemene mynbedrywighede rakende die prosedure deeglik bestudeer en verstaan word. As gevolg hiervan word die huidige, toepaslike mynboumetodes hier gedokumenteer. Die implementering van ʼn gekoppelde LVD-voertuig in die LVD-prosesword ook geregverdig. Verder word die huidige metodes van ondergrondse navigasie genoem en hulle tekortkominge aangedui. Die gevolgtrekking dat infrastruktuur-vrye navigasie die enigste lewensvatbare navigasiemetode in die immer veranderende ondergrondsemynbouomgewing is, word ook gemaak. In die lig daarvan word ʼn verskeidenheid sensors genoem en bespreek. Kinematiese en dinamiese modellering van ʼn LVD-voertuig word bekendgestel. Verskeie kinematiese modelle en hulle onderliggende aannames word genoem. Die mees prominente aannames is die lengte van die gekoppelde voertuig se hoofdele en die insluiting van ʼn wielglipfaktor. Die tegnieke van dinamiese modellering, met die klem op bandmodellering, word ook gegee. Praktyktoetse op gekoppelde voertuie is ook gedoen om die verskillende modelle te evalueer. Die toets op die Wright 365-LVD bied goeie insig in die strawwe ergonomiese toestande waaronder die operateurs moet werk. ʼn Deeglike toets is op ʼn BELL 1706C- gekoppelde laaier, wat kinematies identies aan ʼn LVD-voertuig is, uitgevoer. Die bevindinge van die toets word met bogenoemde modelsimulasies vergelyk en gevolgtrekkings word gemaak. Laastens word lokalisiering en beheer van ʼn LVDvoertuig behandel. Twee beheermetodes, opelus- nie-lineêre optimale beheer met periodieke herstel en padvolgingbeheer word geëvalueer en bespreek. Copyright / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

In 2011 the mining industry purchased 14.5% of the electrical energy generated by Eskom. During 2011 in South Africa, dewatering pump systems on gold mines were the fourth largest electrical energy consumer on South African mines therefor making dewatering pumps ideal candidates to generate significant financial savings. These savings can be realised by controlling time-of-use (TOU) schedules. Previous studies concentrated on the impact of improving a pumping scheme of a single mineshaft. This dissertation will focus on the operations of a complete dewatering system consisting of multiple mineshafts. The case study will consist of a gold mine complex comprising of five different shafts - each with its own reticulation system – as well as the larger interconnected water reticulation system. Various pumping options were investigated, simulated and verified. The interaction between shafts was determined when load-shifting was scheduled for all the shafts taking each shaft’s particular infrastructure into account. The underground dewatering system was automated and optimised based on the simulation results. Mine safety protocols were adhered to while optimal pump operational schedules were introduced. / Thesis (MIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

In 2011 the mining industry purchased 14.5% of the electrical energy generated by Eskom. During 2011 in South Africa, dewatering pump systems on gold mines were the fourth largest electrical energy consumer on South African mines therefor making dewatering pumps ideal candidates to generate significant financial savings. These savings can be realised by controlling time-of-use (TOU) schedules. Previous studies concentrated on the impact of improving a pumping scheme of a single mineshaft. This dissertation will focus on the operations of a complete dewatering system consisting of multiple mineshafts. The case study will consist of a gold mine complex comprising of five different shafts - each with its own reticulation system – as well as the larger interconnected water reticulation system. Various pumping options were investigated, simulated and verified. The interaction between shafts was determined when load-shifting was scheduled for all the shafts taking each shaft’s particular infrastructure into account. The underground dewatering system was automated and optimised based on the simulation results. Mine safety protocols were adhered to while optimal pump operational schedules were introduced. / Thesis (MIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.