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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
31

Use of remote sensing and GIS in a risk assessment of gold and uranium mine residue deposits and identification of vulnerable land use

Sutton, Malcolm William 29 April 2013 (has links)
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 in Environmental Science Johannesburg, November 2012. / Acid rock drainage (ARD) and dust are potential consequences of gold and uranium mine residue deposits (MRDs) on the Witwatersrand basin. Urbanisation has taken place around mines and, with the curtailing of mining activities and clearing of land previously covered by MRDs, there is pressure to use this land for residential, industrial and agricultural purposes. However, mining companies historically were not required to provide pollution control measures and there is evidence for contamination of land and water. Thus, there is a need to prioritise contamination sources for mitigation and to understand the extent of contamination and potential risks associated with different categories of land-use on mining land. The aim of my study was to conduct a first-order risk assessment to aid in identifying vulnerable land use in the vicinity of gold and uranium mining, and prioritising MRDs, including footprints, for mitigation. To achieve this I constructed a Geographical Information System (GIS) using publicly available spatial data, and then tested the usefulness of historical aerial photographs and remote sensing imagery for mapping MRDs and impacts of MRD origin under Highveld conditions (i.e. a seasonal climate with summer rainfall and annual evapotranspiration of >2.5 times mean annual precipitation). The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM; 1923 km2) is an area of extensive historical mining with major urbanisation, while retaining areas for agricultural land use; thus it was selected as a representative study site. I used a numerical rating scheme, which combined a number of parameters in two separate stages to calculate a risk index. The first stage involved the classification of hazards associated with MRDs while the second involved an assessment of land use vulnerability based on exposure pathways and proximity. Historical aerial photographs (1938, 1964 and 2003) and the Chamber of Mines (CoM) Dump Indexes were used to identify and classify MRDs in terms of basic geotechnical properties, current status and historical failure. Multi-spectral data, acquired over two years (2002 and 2003) in two seasons (spring and summer) by the TERRA satellite’s Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor, were used to compile thematic images, indicating potential contamination of surrounding land. It was intended that a zone of influence could be distinguished for each MRD enabling me to rate the hazard severity. The thematic images I selected included primary minerals (pyrophyllite and chlorite), secondary minerals (copiapite and jarosite), an indicator of uranium-bearing ore (referred to as mincrust) and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). These minerals were chosen as potential indicators of different transport routes of contaminants and I tested their associations with different features and land use. I also tested for seasonal differences in the detection of these minerals, and used NDVI to examine the masking effect of active vegetation. I found GIS to be well suited for combining the various forms of spatial data and providing information about MRDs, aqueous pathways, proximity to vulnerable land uses and impacted areas. However, I found that the potential severity of the hazards posed by each MRD, as indicated by a zone of influence, could not be determined from aerial photographs and ASTER alone. I therefore utilised the findings expressed in the literature survey to assign ratings for the different classes of MRDs. The vulnerability assessment was also supplemented by literature review to rate land uses based on human exposure pathways. I determined that MRDs (including footprints) cover 4.1% of EMM, with slimes dams, totalling 3.5%, occupying the majority of this area. I found that 64% of slimes dams had failed prior to 2003 and I plotted a further 0.6% of EMM covered by visible mine residue spillage. Fifty three percent of MRDs were situated within 100 m of drainage lines or old wetlands, while 52% of these (i.e. 27% of the total) had been constructed in the watercourse. I also found that 15% were constructed on dolomites. Informal settlements were located on or bordering 6% of MRDs, with 41% of MRDs within 1 000 m. Eighty eight percent of MRDs were found within 1 000 m of formal residential areas, 71% within 500 m, and formal settlements were located on or bordering 5% of MRDs. Twenty three percent of MRDs were located within 500 m of agricultural land, while 35% were within 1 000 m; and industrial land use was on 9% of MRDs (footprints), with 40% of MRDs being within 500 m of industrial areas and 61% within 1 000 m I found that chlorite did not provide a ‘signature’ of gold and uranium mine residue, whereas the other four minerals did. I also found that, of the two seasons examined (spring and summer), the best time to take an ASTER image to detect mineral signatures of gold and uranium mine contamination is after a few dry days following the first spring rains. For this reason, I used the ASTER taken in late October (spring) 2003 to examine associations with pathways and land use. I found more pyrophyllite and copiapite on industrial and business land use than background, which I suggest is associated with the settling of windborne dust on large and flat roofs; although, in the case of copiapite this could be related to the oxidation of settled wind blown pyrite material. I found jarosite to be a reliable indicator of mine residue, which, together with mincrust, helped me identify contamination in former agricultural holdings, which are now a township. Although, chemically undefined, mincrust was a useful indicator of contamination, as I found it to be reliably detected on MRDs (including footprints), mine residue spillage, wetlands and other contaminated sites, and absent from known uncontaminated sites. Furthermore, it was not necessarily masked by active vegetation, whereas copiapite, jarosite and pyrophyllite were. Mincrust was also detected on irrigated agricultural land with an odds ratio of between 10 to 36 times greater than for rain-fed. Consequently, the most likely pathway for mincrust is the aqueous. The mincrust signature, together with historical aerial photographs, also assisted me to identify historical mining along Black Reef outcrops, through detection in a wetland upstream of known mining activities. The culmination of my study was a risk class and index for MRDs from which ‘risk maps’ were produced. These maps provide a guide to the level of risk posed by each MRD to the surrounding land use. Of the total 287 MRDs (including footprints) identified in the EMM, 50% were classified lower-risk; 40% medium-risk; 10% higher-risk and 0% as much higher risk. The lower-risk MRDs were predominantly rock dumps, whereas the higher-risk MRDs were slimes dams. The findings from my study will contribute to meaningful recommendations for future land use and enable mining companies, landowners, developers and government to allocate their resources judiciously (i.e. appropriate to the level of risk). The results of this study have been published as: Sutton, M.W., Weiersbye, I.M., Galpin, J.S and Heller, D., 2006. A GIS-based history of gold mine residue deposits and risk assessment of post-mining land uses on the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. In: A. B. Fourie and M. Tibbett (eds.), Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the 1st International Seminar on Mine Closure, Perth, ISBN: 0-9756756-6-4, pp. 667–678 (Appendix I). Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M., 2007. South African legislation pertinent to gold mine closure and residual risk. In: A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett and J. Wiertz (eds.), Mine Closure 2007: Proceedings of the 2nd International Seminar on Mine Closure, Santiago, ISBN: 978-0-9804185-0-7, pp. 89–102 (Appendix II). Sutton, M.W. and Weiersbye, I.M., 2008. Land use after mine closure – Risk assessment of gold and uranium mine residue deposits on the eastern Witwatersrand, South Africa. In: A.B. Fourie, M. Tibbett, I.M. Weiersbye and P.J. Dye (eds.), Mine Closure 2008: Proceedings of the 3rd International Seminar on Mine Closure, Johannesburg, ISBN: 978-0-9804185-6-9, pp. 363–374 (Appendix III).
32

Ondersteuningstelsels vir die pasiënt met Verworwe immuniteitsgebreksindroom

Uys, Hester Augusts 14 April 2014 (has links)
M.Cur. / During the time as an infection control professional, there was close contact with patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). During this contact period many needs regarding health support were identified. Discrimination and the testing of patients for Human Immunodificiency virus anti·bodies (HIV) without their permission, were the main problem areas. The purpose of the study was to determine the nature and extent of comprehensive health care services for patients with AIDS. The research design is a contextual, exploring and descriptive study. This study was done in the Northern half of economic development area H where 16 health care services were identified. These include clinics, community hospitals, regional- and academic hospitals and the local authority clinic. Private hospitals were not included in the study. Criteria for the nature and extent of comprehensive health care services were based on literature studies. Data was collected by means of structured interviews with nursing professionals in the employ of identified services and patients making use of those services. The results of the research showed various needs in the nature and extent of the comprehensive health care services of the patients with AIDS In order to improve the health care services, recommendations were made and guidelines given to nursing professionals. Recommendations were also made regarding other aspects of the multi·disciplinary team approach. Based upon this study other topics were identified to enable the health care services to provide health care to the patient with AIDS.
33

Die samestelling van 'n toetsbattery vir die voorspelling van akademiese sukses van studente aan die Bestuurskool van die Witwatersrandse Technikon / Jan Christoffel Malan

Malan, Jan Christoffel January 1987 (has links)
AIM OF THE STUDY - The general aim of the study is to design a selection test battery that can be used to screen students for the diploma courses in Management practice and Personnel management before the enrolment at the Witwatersrand Technikon. The specific aims are twofold: namely theoretical and empirical. The theoretical aim is firstly to give some perspective as far as the use of psychometric tests in the selection procedure, and secondly to give an overview of those factors that affect academic performance. The empirical aim consists of three objectives: To determine which factors are significantly related to academic performance of first year students for the Management practice and the Personnel management courses, respectively. To determine those factors that reflect a significant difference between the successful and unsuccessful students in both diploma courses. To develop a profile of the successful and unsuccessful groups' test performances for selection purposes. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION - A study of the relevant literature was undertaken concerning the role of psychometric tests in the selection procedure, as well as the effect of different cognitive and non-cognitive factors on academic performance. As a result of the limited number of first year students in these two courses, the total first year student group was involved in this study. The psychometric tests used in this study are the 19 Field Interest Inventory, the Structured Objective Rorschach test (SORT), The Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes (SSHA), the 16 Personality factor questionnaire {16PF), the subtest Mental Alertness of the Intermediate Battery and the Academic Achievement Battery. RESULTS OF THE MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS - The test that shows the highest correlation with academic performance for both groups is the 16PF. In the case of the Management practice group, the correlation is 0,62 and for the Personnel management group, the correlation is 0,77. The Management practice group also reflected correlations between academic performance and previous performance (r=0,48) and between academic performance and interest (r=0,63). On the other hand, correlations were also found between academic performance and the SSHA ( r=O, 5 9) and between academic performance and mental alertness (r=0,42) concerning the Personnel management group. The 16PF therefore showed the highest correlation with academic performance for both groups. As a result of these findings and the relatively small population group used in this study it was decided, for the remainder of the investigation to combine the two groups. The new combined group was then subdivided into a successful and an unsuccessful group. RESULTS OF THE PROFILE ANALYSIS - The successful group obtained average scores which were higher than those of the unsuccessful group on eight factors of the 16PF. These eight factors are: A(Sociality), B (Intelligence), E(Dominance), F(Carefreeness), H (Social venturesomeness), L(Suspiciousness), N(Astuteness) and Ql(Radicalism). Of these eight factors, the differences for the last three are very insignificant. The unsuccessful group obtained higher average scores on the remaining eight factors but once again these differences are insignificant. RESULTS OF THE t-TEST - Significant differences were found between the successful and unsuccessful groups with regard to factors A(Sociality), B(Intelligence) and F(Carefreeness) on the 0,01-level while significant differences on the 0,05-level were obtained on factors E(Dominance) and Q3(Self-control). These results can be summarised as follows: * The successful group• is definitely more social, in other words more outgoing, carefree and more participative than the unsuccessful group. * The successful group has a greater mental ability than the unsuccessful group, is more independent and shows more enthusiasm. * The unsuccessful group shows a greater degree of self-control than the successful group with the result that they experience more anxiety in the process. According to this study, personality factors seem to play a more significant role than any other factors as measured in this particular case. Biographical data should also be considered in a study like this as this might possibly lead to other factors that influence academic performance. / Skripsie (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1987
34

Functional evaluation of a gold mine tailings rehabilitation project

10 June 2011 (has links)
Msc. / This study focuses on the functional evaluation of a gold Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), the Fleurhof TSF (designated slimes dam 2L3), which is representative of gold slimes (tailings) dams in the Witwatersrand. The aim is to evaluate the rehabilitation status (in terms of species composition and landscape function) of TSF surfaces that were planted ~20 to ~40 years ago using the most common rehabilitation practice, namely pasture grassing. Pasture grassing aims to obtain rapid dust control. Mine closure was not considered at the time, and the vegetation was hence not designed with ecological processes or long-term objectives in mind. However, over time, grassing practices became routine in the TSF vegetation industry, and the contribution that they have made towards surface rehabilitation needs to be assessed against the current site closure objectives. On the selected site, evaluations of vegetation cover, species composition, and substrate physical and chemical properties were conducted in 1975 (Thatcher, 1979). The aim of the current mid-summer study in 2009 was addressed by assessing the same parameters of vegetation cover, species composition, and soil physical and chemical properties, and comparing these to the results of the previous assessment in 1975. Landscape Function Analysis (LFA – an index-based method of evaluating the retention of resources by surfaces and soil condition), was applied to determine the landscape function (stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling that are derived from the eleven soil surface assessment indicators), and compared with the landscape function of natural analogues in the same locality. Landscape organisation (also an indicator of LFA) was used to investigate the contribution of vegetation overall, and of discrete plant functional groups to landscape functionality. A total of 35 plant species were observed in the quadrats (56 species on the TSF overall), with 51% of species overall being alien. Perennial vegetation and cryptogam covers contributed the most to stabilising the TSF slopes and flat (top) surfaces. The percentage of vegetation basal cover on the TSF (30% – 70%) was lower than for analogue grassland sites on a nearby hill (80% – 100%). Lower basal vegetation cover on the TSF than on the analogue site, were associated with lower LFA indices of stability on all TSF slope aspects (P = 8.19 x 10-13 for all aspects), iii lower nutrient cycling for the northern and southern TSF slopes (south aspect P = 4.20 x 10-6; top aspect P = 0.03), and lower infiltration on the southern slope of the TSF (P = 2.68 x 10-6). However, a higher infiltration on the northern TSF aspect (P = 0.02) than on the analogue site, was attained. Perennial tussock grass patch types (which included perennial forbs) made the largest contribution to the soil surface assessment (SSA) indicators on the TSF and analogue sites, and therefore to the LFA indices that were derived from these SSA indicators. The contribution of woody patches to function was not evaluated.
35

Employee perceptions of affirmative action in the Faculty of Health Science (University of Witwatersrand)

06 June 2008 (has links)
The South African government introduced Affirmative Action in 1998 to redress historical workplace discrimination. The South African moral imperative considers Affirmative Action to be a necessary instrument of change influencing social and economic equality, which impacts on the development of Blacks. Affirmative Action is being researched in academic circles for reasons other than moral concern, which calls for a new breed of scientist to take equitable academic demographics into consideration. The exploratory study in question aimed to identify employees’ perceptions on Affirmative Action within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Witwatersrand. The survey method was utilized in the study and opinions were elicited from 108 respondents in the Faculty. The results were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively in order to gain a comprehensive insight into the perceptions. The focus of the study included: profile of the respondents, staffing and standards, employee development and mentorship, attitudes, training and culture. The findings of the investigation indicated that progress achieved by Affirmative Action within the Faculty was generally perceived to be slow. However, there appeared to be no problems related to holistic practices established in support of Affirmative Action. / Prof. W. Backer
36

The development of the Witwatersrand clothing industry: a historical perspective on the role of entrepreneurs in the industry, 1925-55

24 May 2010 (has links)
M.A.
37

Application of 3D seismic analysis techniques to evaluate ore resources on Kloof, South Deeps and Driefontein gold mines, Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa.

Manzi, Musa Siphiwe Doctor 07 March 2014 (has links)
This thesis presents the application of the state-of-the-art processing, interpretation and modeling to the 3D reflection seismic data that were acquired between 1988 and 2003 across the West Rand and West Wits line goldfields of the Archean Witwatersrand Basin. The re-processing of the old 3D seismic data using new imaging techniques, such as 3D Kirchhoff prestack time migration (KPSTM), has led to better imaging of the ore body, structures (faults and dikes), and steeply dipping stratigraphy. Detailed interpretations of the highly auriferous Ventersdorp Contact Reef (VCR) using advanced complex seismic trace and horizon - based seismic attributes, have led to discoveries of ore blocks (~ 1 km long and ~ 250 m wide) that are bound by multi-fault segments of the first-order scale Bank and West Rand faults, leading to an increase of the resource portfolio and potentially, the quantity of the reserves. In particular, the edge detection attributes have resolved faults with throws as small as 10 m and complex structural architectures such as intersecting and cross-cutting faults, and fault bifurcations which are difficult to detect using conventional techniques (e.g., amplitude, dip and azimuth). Potential conduits, such as faults and dikes for migration of water and methane into underground workings were also mapped using edge detection attributes. These results have the potential to play into safe mine planning. The interpretation of the merged 3D seismic datasets, integrated with underground maps, boreholes, absolute and relative geochronological data, has added to our understanding of the gross structural architecture and Neoarchaean tectonic evolution of the goldfields. On a first-order scale (400 m - 2.5 km) the data resolved: (1) the northerly-trending disharmonic Libanon Anticline with a wavelength of 8 km and amplitude of 2 km, which was formed during deformation in the Umzawami Event (ca 2.73 Ga); and (2) the north-northeast trending, west-dipping (65°–70°W) listric West Rand and Bank faults, which were formed during a major extensional event, herein termed the Hlukana- Platberg Event (2.70-2.64). On a second-order scale (25 m - 400 m) the datasets resolved: (1) the Tandeka and Jabulani thrusts 1.5 km below the West Rand and Bank faults in the depth interval of 6-8 km; and (2) a series of drag synclines and rollover anticlines in the immediate footwall and hangingwall of the West Rand and Bank faults. Further to this, the seismic sections across the goldfields provided evidence that the first- and second-order scale faults, thrust and folds were dissected, eroded and overlain by the Transvaal Supergroup above an angular unconformity. The oldest approximate age for the Transvaal Supergroup is given as 2.58 Ga, thus constraining the age of the faults, thrust and folds to the Neoarchaean or pre- 2.58 Ga.
38

Lives of Darwin in the evolution of biography.

Cumming, Jonathan January 1998 (has links)
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy / This thesis focuses on a selection of biographical treatments of Charles Darwin dating from 1887 to 1991, and through these explores certain shifts in the purposes and assumptions of biography since the Victorian period. An introductory discussion of problematic features in standard histories of biography is followed by an overview of the biographical material that surrounds Darwin. Four works are then analysed in detail. These are: The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin edited by his son Francis Darwin. (1887); Charles Darwin: The fragmentary man by Geoffrey West (1937); Darwin and the Beagle by Alan Moorehead (1969); and Darwin by Adrian Desmond and James Moore (1991). The disparities between these works - disparities in purpose, form, and the image of Darwin that each presents - are so great that one must question whether biography is a continuous, evolving family of texts. Is it not, rather, a conglomeration of approaches to life-writing - approaches which critics have grouped into a single genre much as the ancients grouped whales with fishes, on the basis that "because certain of their structural features are analogous, they must be generically-related"? The findings of this thesis do not supply a comprehensive answer, but affirm that we need to re-evaluate concepts like "the evolution of biography". In an appendix I analyse The Life of Richard Owen by R.S. Owen (1894) and thereby reconsider certain of my conclusions about Victorian biography. (Owen was the most eminent naturalist of the era and is often supposed to have been Darwin's greatest rival, hence my choice of this particular work.) / AC 2018
39

Internationalisation of higher education at the University of the Witwatersrand : a phenomenographic study of students' perspectives.

Ojo, Emmanuel Oluseun 01 March 2010 (has links)
This piece is an empirical study of how students experience and conceptualise internationalisation of higher education at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa. The central question of this empirical study is, how do students experience and conceptualise internationalisation of higher education at Wits? The conceptual framework presents Wits within three domains, which are the Official, Pedagogical and Social, as the context within which the university operates. Using a qualitative methodology – phenomenography – that aims to explore the qualitatively different ways in which a group of people experience a specific phenomenon, in this case internationalisation of higher education, four main constructs about internationalisation have emerged from students’ accounts: (I) internationalisation as Wits is striving to be a top global university; (II) internationalisation as the presence of international students; (III) internationalisation as an issue of mutual respect and acceptance, and (IV) internationalisation as enhancing the students’ learning experience. The argument is that, though students converge on these conceptions, their differences regarding the emphasis and significance points to a scenario of unbalanced institutional mediation, with strong mediation within the logic of dominant pedagogical practice in the university, constrained by forms of weak mediation in the social domain.
40

A statistical approach to some mine valuation and allied problems on the Witwatersrand

Krige, D G 18 June 2015 (has links)
Thesis (M.Sc.(Engineering))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering, 1951.

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