Phytomining and hyperaccumulation of constituents of potential concern that deem vegetation grown on rehabilitated soil or irrigated with mine water unsafe for use.

Ion exchange was assessed as a treatment route for brine arising from mine water cleaning, from a market rather than a plant performance standpoint. World demand for ion exchange resins was expected to pass 535 million dollars by 2015, driven by urbanisation, pollution and shortages of clean water in developing regions.

Dense medium cyclones on the fine coal fraction lifted product yield well above the spiral circuit they were compared against and gave closer control of product quality. Cut point density control proved the hardest part of running the plant, medium properties being critical. Magnetic separator capacity had to match the duty, and a basement was needed to contain and recover medium spillage.

Shallow coal suitable for small scale opencast working was mapped in the northern Witbank and Highveld coalfields, using a limit of 30 m from surface to the top of the first seam. Most outcrop areas examined proved already mined out, and depth to the top seam increases southwards, though some ground remains available. Obtaining resource data was the main obstacle.