Sustainability Beyond Mining: Transformations in Systems for Secondary Beneficiation
Doctoral work on sustainability thinking in the mining sector, drawing on air quality and waste residue projects inside a multinational miner, for readers concerned with beneficiation of mine waste.
by Maria Fátima Freitas Ferraz | February 2012
Sustainability in mining is still framed in neoclassical economic terms, measured by profit, shareholder value and growth, with social and environmental dimensions added in response to regulation. Six air quality and waste minimisation projects run over seven years were assessed against seven dimensions of the biosphere and fell well short. A collaborative model is proposed for a sector built on mining waste residues.
R1500,00
Description
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Transformation of the Coal Mining Procurement Supply Chain
2004
Review of preferential procurement and small supplier development at South African coal producers, based on interviews with procurement staff, suppliers and accreditation agencies, with recommendations for management.
What this report foundThree modes of intervention were found in coal company procurement: preferential procurement rules, segmentation of goods and services by suitability for...
R1500,00
Three modes of intervention were found in coal company procurement: preferential procurement rules, segmentation of goods and services by suitability for transformation, and support programmes for small suppliers. Progress stalled where supplier development was handled by staff carrying other duties, since work not tied to production loses time and has no target. The remedy proposed is procurement targets linked down through commercial and production management.
Rehabilitation of Mined Land – Soil Compaction Alleviation
2011
Final report on mined land rehabilitation trials comparing pasture species and organic amendments on compacted mine soil against normal agricultural soil, for rehabilitation and pasture planning.
What this report foundExperimental studies tested ways to alleviate compaction on mine soils by combining mechanical treatment with organic material.
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Experimental studies tested ways to alleviate compaction on mine soils by combining mechanical treatment with organic material. Survival of 16 pasture species was recorded on mechanically ameliorated compacted soil, dry matter and leaf area were measured for tall fescue and cocksfoot at different levels of organic material, and soil fertility, bulk density and root biomass were tracked under irrigated and dryland grass.
Cleaning Near Moving Conveyors
2011
First phase of a two part investigation into conveyor cleaning practice at South African coal mines, covering the legal position, current mine practice and available machinery.
What this report foundConveyance legislation promulgated in 2008 and enforced soon after left the coal industry without a lawful way to clean near and under running conveyors.
R1500,00
Conveyance legislation promulgated in 2008 and enforced soon after left the coal industry without a lawful way to clean near and under running conveyors. The first phase defined the problem, recorded the cleaning practices mines already use successfully, and built a structured database of mechanised platform options worth pursuing. High risk areas remain drives, take ups, snub and tail pulleys and transfer points.