Dissertations / Theses: 'Mine closure'

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De, Jager A. J. (Albertus Johannes). "Generic model for mine closure." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/49679.

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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.
During the last five years, successful mine closure has become one of Iscor Coal Business primary strategic focus areas. Three Iscor Coalmines are currently in different stages of closure, i.e. North Field, Hlobane and Dumacol and the demand on management time spent on this issue is increasing. The changing legal environment, especially issues concerning rehabilitation and mine closure, demands that every company must take full responsibility for any detrimental effect that their operations may have on the environment. This study concerns itself with establishing a generic procedure for mine closure. The interface with all stakeholders, external and internal, is considered. The primary focus areas are determined and the most important issues within each area are discussed in such a way that operational managers and strategists could use it as base knowledge for future closures. Applying the model to an actual closure process, i.e. the closure of Durnacol Coalmine, tested the validity of the model and it was verified that the process could be used as a base for future reference.

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Xavier, André Moura. "Socio-Economic Mine Closure (SEMC) framework : a comprehensive approach for addressing the socio-economic challenges of mine closure." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/45595.

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This thesis seeks to investigate the initiatives that address the socio-economic implications of mine closure that have been implemented by three mining companies which are located in Mongolia, Argentina and Canada. It further addresses the perceptions of stakeholders, specifically community members, local government representatives and mining company employees regarding the initiatives that have been implemented by three mining companies. Additionally, the research examines six mining industry-related frameworks/guidelines, and explores the ways in which these documents interpret the socio-economics of mine closure. Finally, this thesis introduces and evaluates the Socio-Economic Mine Closure (SEMC) Framework, which was originally developed as part of this PhD investigation. There are 10 elements in the Framework: Policy, Presence, Participation, Planning, Performance, Promotion, Perseverance, Patience, Passion, and Personality. The SEMC Framework is assessed in multiple ways: a) against the current literature on mine closure; b) through an online survey in which 151 experts were invited to provide feedback on the elements and sub-element constituents of the Framework and c) by its utility in constructing the fieldwork survey and the feedback of survey participants indicating the appropriateness of the framework. The study indicates that it would be relevant, timely and appropriate for the mining industry to introduce, discuss and adopt the proposed SEMC Framework. The case study analyses, all of which employed interviews, group sessions, and distribution of survey material as part of their methodological approaches, reveal that each case has unique characteristics and that all are context-based. The case studies also indicate that all three situations reveal the presence of some common issues. For instance, the results of the study suggest that, in all three cases, communication levels need to be improved and augmented. An important finding of the overall study concerns the element Personality within the SEMC Framework. Although in both the online survey and in the survey distributed to study participants, this element was ranked as one of low importance, through the interviews, group sessions and researcher observations it became clear that the Personality of the company community liaison does play a significant role in maintaining and fostering relationships between mining companies and local stakeholders.

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Unver, B. "Closure in longwall access roadways." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.384696.

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Keilich, Walter. "Numerical modelling of mining subsidence, upsidence and valley closure using UDEC." School of Civil, Mining & Environmental Engineering - Faculty of Engineering, 2009. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/862.

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Ground subsidence due to mining has been the subject of intensive research for several decades, and it remains to be an important topic confronting the mining industry today. In the Southern Coalfield of New South Wales, Australia, there is particular concern about subsidence impacts on incised river valleys – valley closure, upsidence, and the resulting localised loss of surface water under low flow conditions. Most of the reported cases have occurred when the river valley is directly undermined. More importantly, there are a number of cases where closure and upsidence have been reported above unmined coal. These latter events are especially significant as they influence decisions regarding stand-off distances and hence mine layouts and reserve recovery.The deformation of a valley indicates the onset of locally compressive stress conditions concentrated at the base of the valley. Compressive conditions are anticipated when the surface deforms in a sagging mode, for example directly above the longwall extraction; but they are not expected when the surface deforms in a hogging mode at the edge of the extraction as that area is typically in tension. To date, explanations for valley closure under the hogging mode have considered undefined compressive stress redistributions in the horizontal plane, or lateral block movements and displacement along discontinuities generated in the sagging mode. This research is investigating the possibilities of the block movement model and its role in generating compressive stresses at the base of valleys, in the tensile portion of the subsidence profile. The numerical modelling in this research project has demonstrated that the block movement proposal is feasible provided that the curvatures developed are sufficient to allow lateral block movement. Valley closure and the onset of valley base yield are able to be quantified with the possibility of using analytical solutions. To achieve this, a methodology of subsidence prediction using the Distinct Element code UDEC has been developed as an alternative for subsidence modelling and prediction for isolated longwall panels. The numerical models have been validated by comparison with empirical results, observed caving behaviour and analytical solutions, all of which are in good agreement. The techniques developed in the subsidence prediction UDEC models have then been used to develop the conceptual block movement model. The outcomes of this research have vast implications. Firstly, it is shown that valley closure and upsidence is primarily a function of ground curvature. Since the magnitude of curvature is directly related to the magnitude of vertical subsidence there is an opportunity to consider changes in the mine layout as a strategy to reduce valley closure. Secondly, with further research there is the possibility that mining companies can assess potential damage to river valleys based on how close longwall panels approach the river valley in question. This has the added advantage of optimising the required stand off distances to river valley and increasing coal recovery.

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Reynolds, Christopher David. "The effects of coal mine closure on macroinvertebrate communities." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.341279.

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Sherwood, Julia Merryn. "Modelling minewater flow and quality changes after coalfield closure." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/314.

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The changes that have taken place in the British Coal Industry over the last five years have meant that in many coalfileds the last deep mines have closed. When a coalfield is abandoned and dewatering ceases, groundwater levels rebound, threatening surface waters with polluting discharges. However, the sparse data sets available limit modelling with existing techniques. A lumped parameter model GRAM (Groundater Rebound in Abandoned Mineworkings) has been developed. This model conceptualises a coalfield as a group of 'ponds'. Each pond is an area of the coalfield that has been extensively worked and can be considered as a single hydraulic unit. The ponds are connected by pipes which represent major inter-connecting roadways along which flow is assumed to be turbulent. Discharge to the surface is also represented using pipes. Flow through the pipes can be calculated using the Prandtl and Nikuradse of the Colebrook-White pipeflow equations. The storage coefficient can vary vertically to represent both worked Coal Measures and the intervening unworked strata. GRAM is able to predict the timing and volume of discahrges. An iron component gives an indication of the water quality evolution of the discahrges. Monte Carlo simulation allows the variables that have most error in their estimation to be represented by probability distributions. The Dysart-Leven Coalfield in eastern Fife, Scotland has not been mined since 1985. However, dewatering has continued to protect the workings in the Frances Colliery. In 1994 British Coal decided the Frances would never reopen, there is therfore no longer a need to continue dewatering. GRAM has been used to produce estimates of the quantity, timing and location of dischargges from the Dysart-Leven Coalfield should pumping cease. MODFLOW has also been applied to the coalfield with less success. Water quality modelling was also attempted using GRAM's iron component, however, conclusive results will not be obtained until the three variables over which ther is most uncertainty have been calibrated against existing discharges.

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Short, Robin Vincent. "Using socio-economic impact assessment to plan for mine closure: De Beers Namaqualand Mines proposed closure in ten years time (AD 2002)." Thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23338.

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Shen, Boxi. "Study on financial assurance and closure cost for mine reclamation." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/60171.

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Financial assurance for mine closure has been widely adopted by governments and companies internationally. Concern has grown in and around the global mining and mineral processing industry over potential risks associated with insufficient funding for mine closure. The motivation of this research is to review financial assurance information from several jurisdictions and to quantitatively assess closure cost for a specific example. This research address the following four objectives: 1. To carry out a literature review on financial assurance for mine reclamation. 2. To compare present regulations and policies on financial assurance for mine closure in Canada, United States and Western Australia. 3. To identify expectations for different types of mining. 4. To develop the closure approaches and apply a method to estimate and calculate the closure cost for a mine site. Main research results are as follow: a. Significant reclamation financial assurance information is highlighted, and the expectations of various stakeholder are identified for different types of mines in various jurisdictions across the world. b. Mine reclamation laws in selected jurisdictions of the Canada, United States, Western Australia have some differences and similarities in regulating agency, closure legislation, guidelines and other aspects. Regulations and policies on financial assurance for mine reclamation in the United States and Canada can be classified into prescriptive and performance-based approaches. The performance-based approach is preferred by mining companies for mine reclamation regulations. c. Developing a mine closure cost estimate requires an understanding of the site-specific closure requirements and available software can be used to perform the closure cost estimates. This study applies the Sherpa software to calculate the closure cost of a conceptual gold mine near Winnemucca, Humboldt County, Nevada. ArcGIS Software is used for calculating the size of each small surface water catchment areas for this mine. The final cost estimate for the total closure cost for the gold mine near Winnemucca, Humboldt County, Nevada is $32,417,400 including $22,574,400 direct cost and $9,843,000 of indirect cost. Considering the Gross Receipt Tax of $677,200, the total financial assurance for this project is $33,094,600. The total overhead costs account for 30.4% of the direct project costs.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of
Graduate

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Mackenzie, Andrew G. "A socio-economic impact assessment of the future closure of a diamond mine in Namaqualand, South Africa : planning for mine closure a decade in advance." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17326.

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Bibliography: pages 56-7.
De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM) have appointed the Environmental Evaluation Unit to undertake an impact assessment of mine closure. According to recent estimates DBNM anticipate that their diamond mining operations in Namaqualand will have to be closed in approximately ten years time. DBNM requested that the study focus on the socio-economic implications of mine closure within the regional context of Namaqualand and not the broader context of South Africa. It is anticipated that the results and recommendations of the study will be used by DBNM in planning for mine closure. The aims and objectives of the study are: 1) To assess the socio-economic consequences of future mine closure. 2) To recommend actions that will mitigate the impacts of mine closure. The aims and objectives of this report are to: 1) Fulfil the academic requirements of the degree. 2) Assess and evaluate information collected during the data collection phase of this project (contained in the Baseline Information Report) and to present these findings clearly and concisely, highlighting significant impacts and options for mitigation. 3) To communicate these findings in a way as would make them useful to both the client as the decision-maker and the interested and affected parties.

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Sherwood, Julia M. "Modelling minewater flow and quality changes after coalfield closure." Boston Spa, U.K. : British Library Document Supply Centre, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=1&uin=uk.bl.ethos.363536.

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Gardiner, Sean Jonathan. "Impacts of mining and mine closure on water quality and the nature of the shallow aquifier, Yandi Iron Ore Mine." Thesis, Curtin University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/2279.

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The Hamersley Yandi Iron Ore Mine of Hamersley Iron Pty. Ltd. is located in the Pilbara region, Western Australia, approximately 90km north west of the town of Newman. The iron ore has accumulated in a palaeochannel as an enriched Channel Iron Deposit (CID). Mining in other parts of this palaeochannel has been practised since 1991. Named deposits in the province are, from west to east, Munjina, Pool, Meander, Western, Central, Eastern, Junction and the Billiard deposits.Presently the CID acts as an aquifer and transmits water through its fracture system. It is the main conduit for the regional groundwater. The Water and Rivers Commission of Western Australia considers the groundwater in the alluvial beds of the Weeli Wolli Creek overlying the CID to be a useful resource. The groundwater is currently used for stock watering so the quality should be preserved.Part of the four possible closure plans of the Yandi Mine is to backfill the excavated channel with waste rock from the mining operation. The waste material will consist of the uneconomic grade lateritic pisolite iron ore, together with colluvium and alluvium overburden. The closure plans will also leave behind two pit lakes.The impact of these closure plans vary but each plan will leave pit lakes containing water with high salinity and this may adversely affect the quality of the groundwater downstream of the lakes.The hydraulic conductivity of the shallow aquifer may be impaired by swelling clays found in parts of the waste material. This impact would be reduced if the chosen closure plan was one with hydrogeological flow management.The water quality downstream of the pit lakes will change and the environmental impact on the groundwater will depend on which closure plan is chosen. This thesis suggests a number of options for consideration.

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Toni. "Economic model of mine closure and its potential for economic transformation." Doctoral thesis, Technische Universitaet Bergakademie Freiberg Universitaetsbibliothek "Georgius Agricola", 2015. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:105-qucosa-162978.

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In Indonesia, the various mining commodities and the amount of resources and reserves are promising, as evidence there are numerous large-scale mining companies and small-scale mines in operation. In 2014 there were 41 companies that held the CoW (mineral contract of work) and 13 companies active in production; and 76 CCoW (coal contract of work) holders, and 57 companies active in production. As well as this, there are more than a thousand small-scale mining companies active for mining commodities. However, mining commodities provide a resource that is not renewable. This will potentially lead to prolonged problems when mining companies do not adhere to good mining practices, particularly in the closing stages of the mine. Mine closure is the final stage in the process of mining activity. In certain circumstances, closure activities can take a long time and of course can have huge costs. In fact, at this stage, the company is no longer making profit, only incurring costs for the project closure. To prevent problems that may arise after the mine is closed, such as abandoned post-mining land, and the bankruptcy of the company at the end of mining operations, etc., then through specific rules, ie rules of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 18 of 2008, the mining company in Indonesia must provide a certain amount of money as a financial guarantee to finance the planned closure project; it must be approved by the government before entering this phase. However, problems are encountered in practice. The government may become overloaded because they have to quickly make a decision on the closure plan submitted by the company. So a tool is needed that can be used to assess the feasibility as soon as the mine closure plan is proposed by a company, these tools can provide an overview and a variety of options for decision making. In this dissertation methodology was developed to create a systems dynamic model of mine closure. The model developed can be applied to a variety of mining methods and for various mining commodities. The model can be used to determine the closure costs, to choose the closure project-financing scenario, and up to micro and macro economic analysis of mining activities in the region. In the case studies conducted in this dissertation, the best scenario of the mine closure planning is to include the everlasting fund in the form of time deposits, and convert the post-mining land for agriculture. The amount of deposit money is about USD 358,986,500 should be spare at the end of mine production, and the total of mine closure cost to be approximately USD 440,757,384. Agriculture, the economic sector as a substitute for the mining sector, the added value to the GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product) is about 0.25 % / a for the province, and 1.68 % for the regency, but the contribution of the mining sector to GRDP was 30% / a at province scale, and 90% / a at regency scale. So that the substitution value is less significant to GRDP growth. However, this scenario is the best scenario among others, due to consideration is the certainty of ecological and economic sustainability. it is the best goal of corporate social responsibility to the environment in the post- mining land.

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Collins, Benjamin C. "Mine closure planning with First Nations communities : the Stk'emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation and the New Afton Mine." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/54759.

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The goal of this research is to understand how the traditional knowledge of the Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation can be used to improve reclamation and closure planning of the New Afton mine. Furthermore, this research will provide insight into consultation with First Nation communities for closure and reclamation planning. The New Afton Mine site, located ten kilometers west of Kamloops, BC is on the traditional territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc and Skeetchestn Indian Bands. The application of traditional knowledge for closure is a relatively new field. As such, the application of the findings of this research are at a conceptual level. Interviews with traditional knowledge keepers were conducted to understand the relationship between plant life, wildlife, water sources and the traditional use pattern in the area. Site visits to both the Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation and New Afton Mine site have taken place during this research study. Visits to the New Afton property focused on determining and understanding the different areas of disturbance. Visits with the Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc members were aimed at engaging, recognizing, and understanding their objectives for the long term post-closure use of the mine site. This research found an extremely strong connection between the community’s culture and natural environment. In addition, hunting, fishing, medicinal and nutritional plant gathering were considered as the key traditional land uses in the area. The New Afton Mine was known as an old stop-over ground for travelers in the region. Concerns relating to the impacts of tailings and possible contaminants to the environment (water, wildlife and plant life) were indicated. Reclaiming the land to a natural state was outlined as the most desirable outcome for closure. The technical constraints of the property were also discussed (subsidence zones, semi-arid conditions, etc.) and how the property, considered as a brownfield development, impacts the closure and reclamation outcomes. Finally, through the interviews and field notes, it was found that successful consultation and collaboration with First Nations communities requires: respect and understanding of the community’s culture and history, well established trust, and an ability to be flexible to the needs of the community.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of
Graduate

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Altamirano-Soto, Pablo, Jorge Supa-Urrutia, Humbero Pehovaz-Alvarez, Carlos Raymundo, Nestor Mamani-Macedo, and Francisco Dominguez. "Filling Method Implementing Hydraulic Lime for Reusing Mine Tailings and Improve Sustainability in Conventional Peruvian Underground Mines." Springer, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656169.

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El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.
Mining in Peru has existed for several decades, and for several years, there has been no proper environmental management of the impact of this activity on the environment and society in general, whether it be gas emissions, the presence of acidic water, or the generation of mining tailings. One of the most prominent examples involve mine tailings; these are by-products of mining processing plants and are stored in a dam known as a tailings dam. Like any extraction activity, mining generates large amounts of waste material that could become potential risks to the environment and society. Using hydraulic fills, the mine tailings contained in tailings dams could be reused. These fills seek to decrease the volume of stored tailings to prevent any future dam collapses, as observed in Brazil with the Vale mining company, where its tailings dam collapsed and caused more than 200 deaths.

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Centeno, Camila Lamonato. "Sistematização de procedimentos para o fechamento temporário de minas de agregados." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/165262.

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O presente trabalho descreve uma metodologia utilizada para a construção de um procedimento padronizado a ser utilizado por técnicos do Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral (DNPM) para avaliação de solicitação de suspensão temporária do empreendimento por um período determinado. O método está implementado através de um formulário construído para ser aplicado na fiscalização de campo prevista na legislação mineral em caso de solicitação de suspensão das atividades de mineração, inicialmente com proposta de aplicação em minas a céu aberto de agregados. A proposta desenvolvida parte do princípio que a justificativa apresentada pela empresa é satisfatória e que ela entregou todos os documentos previstos na legislação, também de maneira satisfatória e sistematiza itens de caráter atual do empreendimento para classificar de forma padronizada e objetiva o estado atual da unidade solicitante. A metodologia possui a intenção de complementar a análise, torná-la menos subjetiva e confirmar as informações contidas nos documentos entregues. O procedimento também visa que os impactos sejam mitigados e que a área permaneça sob cuidados permanentes do empreendedor, sem agravamento dos passivos, assim como, possibilite a retomada das operações de forma segura.
This work describes a methodology used to construct a standard procedure to be used by technicians of the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM) to evaluate the request for mining temporary suspension for a certain period. The method is implemented through a form, built to be applied in the field inspection provided for the mineral legislation in case of request for suspension of the mining activities, initially with proposal of application in open cast mines of aggregates. The idea developed assumes that the justification presented by the company is satisfactory and that it showed all documents provided for the legislation, also in a satisfactory manner. It systematizes items of current character to classify in a standardized and objective way the mine that is requesting suspension. The methodology intents to complement the analysis, make it less subjective and confirm the information contained in the submitted documents. The procedure also aims at mitigating the impacts and that the area remains under permanent care and maintenance, without aggravating the liabilities, as well as, enable to return the operations in a safe way.

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Neri, Ana Claudia. "Tratamento de incertezas no planejamento do fechamento de mina." Universidade de São Paulo, 2013. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/3/3134/tde-14052014-153850/.

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Incertezas são inerentes ao planejamento de fechamento de mina, atividade que requer o trato de complexas questões técnicas, sociais, econômicas e ambientais em perspectiva de longo prazo e com base em informação e conhecimentos fragmentados e não sistemáticos. Incertezas nas tomadas de decisões podem resultar em ações de fechamento ineficazes e/ou ineficientes, ou seja, que não alcancem os objetivos esperados e/ou demandem vultosos recursos financeiros, humanos e outros. Esta pesquisa procurou compreender a natureza das incertezas presentes no processo de planejamento de fechamento de mina por meio da definição de suas causas, tipos e formas de tratamento e analisar como são abordadas em guias de boas práticas. Incerteza, no contexto do planejamento de fechamento de mina, é entendida como uma situação na qual há conhecimento incompleto, imprevisibilidade ou não há um único entendimento do processo a ser gerenciado. Nesse contexto, as principais causas das incertezas são, respectivamente, insuficiência de conhecimento, variabilidade do comportamento dos componentes do processo, no tempo e no espaço e diferentes enfoques ou recortes da situação analisada. Foram definidos oito tipos de incertezas pertinentes ao planejamento de fechamento de mina, agrupadas em três componentes (i) naturais (incertezas ambientais, geológicas, geotécnicas), (ii) técnicos (incertezas operacionais, tecnológicos), (iii) socioeconômicos (incertezas sociais, regulatórias, gerenciais, econômicas). Associações de empresas e órgãos públicos têm publicado guias e documentos de diretrizes para orientar as empresas a planejar o fechamento de mina. No entanto, esses guias não parecem ser explícitos quanto ao reconhecimento e tratamento de incertezas no planejamento de fechamento. Assim, por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo, quatro guias de boas práticas foram examinados para verificar, se e como, abordam ou recomendam diretrizes para lidar com incertezas no planejamento de fechamento. Os resultados mostraram que certos tipos de incerteza são reconhecidos pelos guias, que recomendam algumas diretrizes para lidar, em especial, com incertezas ambientais, sociais, regulatórias e econômicas. Porém, (i) os guias não demonstram uma clara concepção ou entendimento das incertezas inerentes ao planejamento de fechamento de mina, embora em algumas situações reconheçam sua existência e influência; (ii) a maior ênfase dos guias em relação aos aspectos ambientais pode induzir as empresas a alocarem responsabilidades para tratar questões relativas ao fechamento ao departamento de meio ambiente ou de relações comunitárias e não induzirem que sejam tratadas a nível estratégico pela alta direção da empresa e (iii) a maioria dos guias, não fornece diretrizes para melhorar e avaliar a qualidade das informações/conhecimento nas tomadas de decisões. É proposto um esquema analítico para lidar com as incertezas no planejamento de fechamento, composto por três etapas: (i) identificação dos tipos de incertezas; (ii) definição das causas das incertezas e (iii) definição de ações e estratégias para lidar com as incertezas. Espera-se que a proposta possa contribuir para que as empresas de mineração considerem, de maneira estruturada, as incertezas em suas decisões relativas ao fechamento, e que órgãos públicos possam utilizá-la para avaliar as informações apresentadas em planos de fechamento e demais estudos técnicos relativos à autorização e licenciamento de projetos.
Uncertainties are intrinsic to the mine closure planning, activity which involves complex long-term technical, social, economic and environmental questions, based on fragmented and non-systematic information and knowledge. Uncertainties in decision-making may lead to inefficacious closing actions, which do not achieve the expected goals and/or demand a lot of financial, human and other types of resources. This research aimed at understanding the nature of the uncertainties involved in the mine closure planning process by defining their causes, types and ways to deal with them and analyzing how they are treated in best-practice guidelines. Uncertainty in the context of mine closure planning is understood as a situation in which there is incomplete knowledge, unpredictability or no single way to understand the process to be managed. In this context, the main causes of uncertainties are respectively: lack of knowledge, time and space variability of the behavior of the components in the process and different approaches or understanding about the analyzed situation. Eight types of uncertainties regarding the mine closure planning have been defined and grouped in three components: (i) natural (environmental, geological and geotechnical uncertatinty), technical (operational and technological uncertatinty), (iii) social- economical (social, regulatory, management and economic uncertainties). Enterprises associations and public agencies have been publishing guidelines to provide the companies with advice on how to plan the mine closure. However, these guidelines do not seem to be explicit in recognizing and dealing with uncertainty in the closure planning. Thus, using the content analysis technique, four best practice guidelines have been examined in order to determine whether and how they approach or produce advice to deal with uncertainty in the closure planning. The results have shown that certain types of uncertainty are addressed by the guidelines, which provide some advices to deal particularly with environmental, social, regulatory and economic uncertainties. Nevertheless, the guidelines: (i) do not present a clear concept or understanding about the uncertainty which are intrinsic to the mine closure planning, although in some situations the recognize their existence and influence; (ii) the higher emphasis on the environmental aspects used by the guidelines may induce the companies to allocate reponsibilities to deal with x questions related with the closure, the environmental department or the relations with the community and cause them not be treated in strategic level by the company and (iii) most guidelines do not provide advices on how to improve and evaluate the quality of the information/knowledge of the decision-making. An analytical scheme composed by three steps is proposed to deal with the uncertainties in the closure planning: (i) identification of the uncertainty type; (ii) definition of uncertainty causes and (iii) definitions of actions and strategies to deal with uncertainties. This proposal may contribute for the mining companies to consider in a structured way the uncertainties in their closure-related decisions and for the public agencies to evaluate the information present in closure plans and other technical studies related to licensing projects.

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Nel, Johannes Hendrik. "An investigation of mine closure : gold mine case studies on the East Rand in South Africa / J.H. Nel." Thesis, North-West University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/4088.

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This research is on mines that struggle to obtain closure from the state departments. The closure process at the footprints of five Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) of a South African gold mine was investigated. They are situated in the Germiston, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel suburbs of the East Rand region of Johannesburg. Very limited scientific research has been done in South Africa on the management of mine closure. The most recent performed research was completed at Coal mines and only one was at an underground gold mine. The history of the case studies at a surface gold mine revealed similar problems, as confirmed in previous research, during the interviews with mine management and the review of operational documents. There is a whole array of causes giving rise to the struggle to obtain closure by a mine, that will be subsequently discussed. Major causes are the lack of estimation of closure costs and the lack of a proper Project Life Cycle (PLC) process for closure by mine management. Previous investigations indicated a general shortfall in estimated closure costs, mining operations that are not planned with closure in mind, closure objectives that are not set at all management levels, final land use after mine closure that is not defined properly, residual and latent impacts that are not dealt with, the post-closure period when the final impact will occur that is not defined and a proper risk assessment based on detailed information that is not properly done and communicated. Another cause is that the integrated process of making closure part of the Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) process is not followed. The result of not following the correct process is that mines do not obtain closure. Another reason why mines do not obtain closure is because of an underdeveloped mine infrastructure, e.g. tailings facilities, waste rock dumps, shafts and plants that are not constructed in an environmentally friendly way during the operational phases to facilitate closure. Therefore, these structures need to be changed in terms of their topography and growth medium to ensure an improvement in environmental parameters. This will assist in obtaining sustainability and final closure. Significantly more trust fund money than initially estimated during operations needs to be spent to ensure the above change. Specific issues defined from the case studies were the adaptation of the administration of the closure process, the management of risks, especially the differences in opinions, the management of the mine life cycle for closure and involvement of the land owners and Interested and Affected Parties (l&APs). This research was necessary because companies are uncertain and lack the competency to estimate and to correctly spend trust fund money in order to be sure of obtaining closure. This situation threatens the long-term survival of mining-companies by holding assets and profits back until closure is attained. The state departments also have to address the risks and have to rehabilitate the polluted mine sites if companies do not obtain closure. A proper PLC to facilitate closure was compiled from the above-mentioned data. An important fact to bear in mind is that the activities within the life cycle depend on one another. Therefore, when one activity is disregarded or not properly performed, it will influence the outcome of the remaining activities. The methodology of the research was as follows: Categories to evaluate the closure process of the selected case studies were determined from the project life cycle and the management principles of the literature review. Thereafter a questionnaire was developed from these categories. The questionnaire was subsequently used to guide interviews. After the interviews these categories and findings from the questionnaire were combined and summarised into key findings. The key findings of the research were: • The driving force behind obtaining closure must shift from the State Departments to the mining companies. They must realise there is an opportunity during the closure process to make money and to minimise their long-term liability. The mining company must thus drive the closure process to obtain environmental sustainability. • The gold mines do have problems in terms of cost estimation and trust fund expenditure at their TSF footprints during the closure process. The reasons were a mismanagement of the closure process and making use of a limited information system to make decisions. • A proper closure process does exist, but it can be improved to ensure all interested and affected parties have the same expectations from closure. • There are many activities in the closure process flow diagram which were not properly attended to according to the case studies. • A conceptual closure plan and a draft rehabilitation plan with broad objectives, policies and strategies with detailed descriptions were not compiled during the operational phase, because limited scientific monitoring information was gathered to do a proper risk assessment and some l&APs consultation was done mainly with the material and land owners on a one on one basis. From these key findings the following recommendations could be formulated: • Any mining operation should conduct a closure audit at least every second year and before mining activities change. • A searchable record keeping system must be established to keep track of the closure life cycle development. • Detailed conceptual and final closure plans need to capture the data from the audits and record keeping system. • A communication forum with company management and environmental specialists needs to be established.
Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

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Gardiner, Sean Jonathan. "Impacts of mining and mine closure on water quality and the nature of the shallow aquifier, Yandi Iron Ore Mine." Curtin University of Technology, Department of Applied Geology, 2003. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=15728.

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The Hamersley Yandi Iron Ore Mine of Hamersley Iron Pty. Ltd. is located in the Pilbara region, Western Australia, approximately 90km north west of the town of Newman. The iron ore has accumulated in a palaeochannel as an enriched Channel Iron Deposit (CID). Mining in other parts of this palaeochannel has been practised since 1991. Named deposits in the province are, from west to east, Munjina, Pool, Meander, Western, Central, Eastern, Junction and the Billiard deposits.Presently the CID acts as an aquifer and transmits water through its fracture system. It is the main conduit for the regional groundwater. The Water and Rivers Commission of Western Australia considers the groundwater in the alluvial beds of the Weeli Wolli Creek overlying the CID to be a useful resource. The groundwater is currently used for stock watering so the quality should be preserved.Part of the four possible closure plans of the Yandi Mine is to backfill the excavated channel with waste rock from the mining operation. The waste material will consist of the uneconomic grade lateritic pisolite iron ore, together with colluvium and alluvium overburden. The closure plans will also leave behind two pit lakes.The impact of these closure plans vary but each plan will leave pit lakes containing water with high salinity and this may adversely affect the quality of the groundwater downstream of the lakes.The hydraulic conductivity of the shallow aquifer may be impaired by swelling clays found in parts of the waste material. This impact would be reduced if the chosen closure plan was one with hydrogeological flow management.The water quality downstream of the pit lakes will change and the environmental impact on the groundwater will depend on which closure plan is chosen. This thesis suggests a number of options for consideration.

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Singh, Srikesh. "A comparative analysis of financial guarantee instruments for mine closure in relation to the interests of medium-sized mines." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/60095.

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In this dissertation I comparatively analyse the various financial guarantee instruments for mine closure in relation to the interests of medium sized mines. I do this not to compare each instrument against each another but rather in order to ascertain which instruments are more beneficial to medium sized mine companies when included in a state legislation or a contract. Mine closure is clearly a certainty for all mines, however acquiring sufficient funding in order for holistic closure to occur has always been problematic. Thus the use of financial guarantee instrument may mitigate such concern and streamlining the choice will lead to attaining the holistic mine closure objectives. In chapter 1 I trace the history of mine closure as concept which has developed since the 1870s and I illustrate how the concept of mine closure has taken into consideration technical, social and environmental aspects. I do so in order to reinforce not only the scope of mine closure but to further emphasise the progression of the concept. Finally, I establish the current concept of mine closure, representing a meticulous concept comprising of far more than the traditional physical closure. Arising from this meticulous notion I discuss in chapter 2 the need for funding mine closure as the foremost concern regarding mine closure. I highlight the key justifications for the necessity for funding, I discuss the likely sources of such funding and I argue with whom the responsibility of funding falls onto. As the substantive core of this paper, in chapters 3 and 4 I introduce the most commonly opted for financial guarantee instruments and the most significant interests of medium sized mines regarding the financing of mine closure respectively. I deliberate concisely on each of the following instruments, namely: letter of credit; surety bond; cash trust fund; insurance scheme and self-guarantee and I discuss very briefly the most significant interests, namely: profitability, liquidity, accessibility, corruption and tax implications. Finally in chapter 5 I analyse and compare the discussed financial guarantee instruments for mine closure against the interests of medium sized mines in order to establish which are the most beneficial to the medium sized mine company in the completion of holistic mine closure.
Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Public Law
LLM
Unrestricted

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20

Roberts, Stephen Alexander. "An analysis of stakeholder perceptions regarding the closure of the Highland Valley Copper Mine." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/37992.

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The focus of mine closure policies and practice in British Columbia has undergone considerable change since the first closure laws were enacted in the late 1960s. Even though the technical standards for determining what constitutes a successful mine reclamation project have risen considerably over the past three decades, the public’s growing hostility toward the industry suggests that expectations have risen even faster. In response to the public’s rising expectations, the mining industry has begun to develop new policies for integrating sustainable development principles into their closure planning models, but creating a systematic and transparent framework for measuring and reporting actual system performance remains elusive. Sustainable Development Indicators (SDIs) may provide part of the solution, but a problem with many of the proposed indicator systems is that they focus too narrowly on biophysical impacts while neglecting social and economic impacts. Furthermore, most indicator systems were developed by and for experts, thus making them ill-suited for describing system performance from the perspective of those living in the affected communities. To facilitate greater public understanding those charged with developing policies for mine closure and reclamation need to work with stakeholders to develop a set of “sustainability proofs” that simply and effectively communicates to the local community how the company’s reclamation and closure program will assist the community in making the transition to a post-mining economy. This case study of the Highland Valley Copper (HVC) mine presents a framework for identifying these indicators that utilizes a heuristic model to integrate expert advice with local knowledge. Twenty stakeholders were interviewed to determine their perceptions of the quality and focus of HVC’s closure planning and reclamation program to date. Despite the fact that the community’s capacity for effective long-term consultation is limited, the results underscore the fact that local stakeholders fully expect to be involved in preparing the final closure plan. There is a clear preference for a closure plan that would allow another industrial user to assume partial control over the site. Evidence was provided which suggests that aesthetics play an important function for evaluating the effectiveness of HVC’s reclamation program. Finally, the issue of third party liability is seen as an important impediment to any plan to have the site support a follow-on industry. The limitations of the study and future directions for research are also discussed. Key Words: Aesthetics, Community Capacity, Highland Valley Copper mine, Mine Closure and Reclamation Policy, Public Consultation, Sustainable Development Indicators
Applied Science, Faculty of
Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of
Graduate

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Tshivhandekano, Aubrey Ndinannyi. "Documenting reclamation and closure of Ermelo coal mines : implications for developing a national strategy for mine reclamation in South Africa." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2004. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-12082005-152604.

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Barrezueta-Delgado, Erika, Naysha Blas-Trujillo, Yaneth Vasquez-Olivera, Carlos Raymundo, Nestor Mamani-Macedo, and Javier M. Moguerza. "A Cyanide Tailings Management Method Using Pseudomonas Fluorescens to Improve Conventional Treatments for Progressive Closure at Small Gold Mines." Springer, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10757/656170.

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El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado.
Based on the review of different research studies, we could assess that, due to their unique biological features, microbes, specifically bacteria, could be used to repair damaged soils with heavy metal and toxic compound contents. Furthermore, these microorganisms are metabolically capable to oxidize cyanide and its by-products to generate less-toxic compounds at the end of the process. This research proposal seeks to improve conventional mine closure designs, thus counteracting their negative short-term, medium-term, and long-term after-effects to the environment. The proposed technique as a solution, therefore, is microbial remediation, using pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria to oxidize this compound to non-toxic components. It will ensure operational continuity for the deposits and, in turn, the sustainability of the entire mining industry.

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Camelo, Marta Sawaya Miranda. "Fechamento de mina : análise de casos selecionados sob os focos ambiental, econômico e social." Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Geotécnica. Núcleo de Geotecnia, Escola de Minas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, 2006. http://www.repositorio.ufop.br/handle/123456789/2355.

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ABSTRACT: The concern about the environment come imposing itself for a few decades, becoming today, a world phenomenon and causing a rethink of attitudes in all the activities that intervene direct or indirectly in the environment. In the mining, according to this new conscience, the society also comes demanding a new boarding for the question of mine closure (known internationally for design for mine closure). A joint effort has been materialized, causing adjustments in the mining projects since its implantation, until its deactivation and closing, as well as in the legal systems that intervene in this aspect in Brazil. There is still a lack of studies developed in this area and a lot still has to be done, therefore the choice of the subject for this thesis. It is intended, during this work: to present a description of the evolution of Brazilian legislation; to approach some aspects of the international legislation relating them with the current trends; to propose a discussion about effectiveness of the fulfillment of the legislation and its impediments in the process of mining closure. It is expected to culminate this work discussing concrete cases of mining closure that allow the improvement of future plans of mining closure.
A preocupação com a questão ambiental vem se impondo há algumas décadas, tornando-se, hoje, um fenômeno mundial e provocando um repensar de atitudes em todas as atividades que interferem direta ou indiretamente no meio ambiente. Na mineração, em decorrência dessa nova consciência, a sociedade vem exigindo uma nova abordagem também para a questão do fechamento de mina (conhecido internacionalmente por design for mine closure). Um esforço conjunto vem se materializando, provocando ajustes nos projetos de mineração desde sua implantação até sua desativação e fechamento, bem como nos ordenamentos jurídicos que interferem nesse aspecto no Brasil. Ainda são poucos os estudos desenvolvidos nessa área, e muito ainda precisa ser feito, por isso a escolha do tema para essa dissertação. Pretende-se, no desenrolar deste trabalho: apresentar um histórico da evolução da legislação brasileira vigente; abordar alguns aspectos da legislação internacional relacionando-as com as tendências atuais; propor uma discussão sobre a efetividade do cumprimento da legislação e seus entraves no processo de fechamento de mina. Espera-se culminar esse trabalho discutindo casos concretos de fechamento de mina que permitam o aprimoramento de futuros planos de fechamento de mina. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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24

Breyl, Jacobus. "Sinkhole formation due to subsurface erosion above undermined ground." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/73464.

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In November 2016, 38 sinkholes formed due to subsurface erosion above undermined ground on Donkerhoek farm near Sasolburg. The fact that the sinkholes formed more than 24 years after mining in the area ceased, emphasised the need for a method to predict the likelihood of sinkhole formation due to subsurface erosion. This is especially relevant for mining houses required to quantify their mine closure risks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms and soil properties involved in the formation of the 38 sinkholes on Donkerhoek farm through a fieldwork and laboratory testing programme and develop a method to predict the likelihood of sinkhole formation. Three areas were selected for test pit excavation: an area with large sinkholes, one with small sinkholes and a third with no sinkholes but with a history of subsidence crack formation. The same mechanism of sinkhole formation was observed in both the large and small sinkhole areas: at the soil-rock interface, soil was being eroded into a subsidence crack in the rock, resulting in an upwards migrating cavity and the eventual formation of a sinkhole on surface when the cover over the cavity collapsed. This was the first time that this mechanism was observed in the Sasolburg area, having previously only been identified in the Secunda area. The laboratory tests, carried out on samples obtained during the fieldwork, included foundation indicator, dispersivity, XRF and XRD, soil water retention curves, consolidated undrained triaxial and permeability tests. By comparison of the results from the different study areas, it was concluded that the larger sinkholes form in areas with highly dispersive soils, higher clay content, higher swell potential and a higher capacity to retain suctions when wetted. The following soil properties and factors were identified as the main contributors to sinkhole formation: • The strength of the lid, which is highly influenced by the unsaturated behaviour of the lid material. The lid strength determines the sinkhole diameter; • The erodibility of the material which is influenced by dispersivity and the material obtaining a crumb structure due to desiccation; • The activity of the soil, which influences the volume changes during drying and thereby the width and depth of desiccation cracks; and • The thickness of the soil layer overlying the rockhead. With the critical factors identified, the Van der Merwe method to predict sinkhole size was used as basis to develop an index method to predict the likelihood of sinkhole formation due to subsurface erosion above undermined ground. The method considers combinations of the following factor groups to express a high or low likelihood of the formation of large or small sinkholes in a particular area: • The strength of the lid material, mainly influenced by the unsaturated behaviour of the soil; • The capacity for cavity formation (CCF), which combines the dispersivity, erodibility and activity of the soil; and • The influence of the thickness of the soil layer overlying the rock, evaluated by calculating the ratio between crack width in the rock and the soil layer thickness.
Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Civil Engineering
MEng (Geotechnical Engineering)
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Nene, Thami Wellington. "An analysis of the appropriateness of statutory financial security mechanisms for mine closure and rehabilitation in South Africa." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/76744.

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A lot of mine were left abandoned, unrehabilitated or unclosed prior to the introduction National Environmental management Act 107 of 1998 and most did not have plans for rehabilitation or mine closure. The law requires that no exploration or production operations may commence unless financial provision has been made that is guaranteeing the availability of sufficient fund. planning is a prerequisite in the early development planning phase and must continue throughout the mine life cycle and closure phase. The financial provisions must be maintained for the duration of the life of the mine until closure when the closure certificate is issued. The financial provision is critical in ensuring that environmental liabilities for rehabilitation and closure are addressed. The purpose thereof is to mitigate the negative impacts of mining operations on the environment. This paper will investigate financial provisions system which is currently in use in South Africa from the financial security methods employed, the setting up, determination, quantification as well as general rules applicable thereto. The surveys undertaken in this regard and records held by the DMR will be relied on. When mine operations stop, a closure certificate must be issued to serve as proof that the plans relating to reclamation and closure have been complied with. The effect of a closure certificate exonerates the holder of such right from any residual or latent environmental liabilities. The paper will further look into the reasons and barriers to proper mine closure. The overall SA legislative framework for environmental liability relating to closure and rehabilitation generally conforms with international expectations. This paper examines the principal legislation and in particular the 2015 proposed regulations for securing financial provision for environmental liabilities. The main objectives of the research were to evaluate whether the current financial provision systems are appropriate in guaranteeing mine rehabilitation and closure. Moreover, whether they can realistically alter the legacy inherited from past abandoned or unclosed mines. Lastly, examination of the correlation between closure certificate and financial provision in relation to mine closure. Findings indicate that money set aside as financial provision for environmental liabilities is not being spent by the state. The law is clear which steps mine companies must take for rehabilitation and closure of new and old mine sites including legacy abandoned sites. The law is only as good as its implementation and enforcement. The Success of any financial surety instrument depends on the care, effort put into setting it up, managing it and meticulous calculation. Most will work if they are done properly.
Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Public Law
LLM
Unrestricted

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26

Sullivan, Nora M. "Comparing Acid and Metal Loading Before and After Stream Capturing Subsidence Closure." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1450952105.

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Cosgrove, Betty Alveen, and b. cosgrove@cqu edu au. "Mount Morgan: images and realitiesdynamics and decline of a mining town." Central Queensland University. School of Humanities, 2001. http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au./thesis/adt-QCQU/public/adt-QCQU20050427.131849.

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Most histories and reports of Mount Morgan concentrate on the mining experience and financial achievements of the first Company rather than the mining town. This dissertation presents a social history of Mount Morgan that addresses the establishment, rise and fall of the town during the period of the first syndicate and succeeding company, 1883-1927. The thesis contends that the transformation of the landscape was to industrial, urban space where the working-class attitudes of miners and others defined a town character, despite the aspiration of many to social status through private enterprise and public influence. Further, the scope of research encompassed local involvement in colonial and state politics, and the presence of local government authority, law courts and press that placed an urban stamp on the town. Issues discussed also relate to geographic, climatic and single company influences that caused the difference between Mount Morgan and other mining towns that did not survive. The traditional perception of mining town impermanence was contradicted at Mount Morgan, where town and suburban communities were witness to a range of collective support in religious adherence, benefit associations, fraternalism and ritual, leisure, sport, education, and social cohesion in times of mining disaster. Moreover, despite increasing familial connections, antagonistic attitudes prevailed between the defensively parochial town of Mount Morgan and the nearby regional centre of Rockhampton. The rise of unionism at Mount Morgan challenged an apathetic working-class population to workplace solidarity in reaction to the Company's long established, almost feudal control of the town as well as the mine. It is argued that, despite a decade of failing ore markets and soaring production costs at the mine, the attitudes and actions of a union dominated workforce were paramount in decline of the town and ultimate closure of the mine. Mount Morgan survived the exodus of thousands of residents. A defiant place, the town exhibited a pride bolstered by the perpetuation of myths that presented a public image shielded from the life-long realities of economic and social adversity.

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Haagner, Adrian Sigmund Harold. "The role of vegetation in characterising landscape function on rehabilitating gold tailings / A.S.H. Haagner." Thesis, North-West University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/3717.

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Gold mine waste poses a significant challenge for rehabilitation practitioners and can negatively impact on soil, air, surface water and groundwater quality. This, in turn, can affect the environmental quality of humans and other biota in nearby settlements and surrounding ecosystems. All mines are required to have a plan in place to impede or mitigate these environmental impacts and to ensure that all legislation is complied with to apply for closure. Site closure is the eventual goal of all mine residue complexes, as it is the stage at which a company becomes released from all legal and financial liability. The South African legislation is comprehensive and essentially requires that all latent and residual environmental impacts are addressed and that an end land-use designation is put in place that conforms to the principles of sustainable development. The Chemwes Tailings Storage Facility complex near Stilfontein was monitored to provide a strategic assessment of the state of the rehabilitation, and to provide recommendations for the successful remediation of problem sites. A combination of vegetation sampling, landscape function assessments and substrate chemical analyses were conducted to gain a predictive understanding of rehabilitation progress. The monitoring was conducted over two years across a chronosequence of rehabilitating sites from tailings dam slopes and an adjacent spillage site. An undisturbed grassland and a starter-wall served as reference sites. The data were first analysed independently and then by making use of multivariate data ordinations. This allowed for holistic investigations of the relationships between sites, substrate chemistry, vegetation composition and landscape function. The results showed that the tailings dams had a distinctly different suite of vegetation from the reference sites, but had no statistically significant differences in composition across the rehabilitating chronosequence. There were positive correlations between rehabilitation site age and landscape function indices, suggesting that some aspects of ecosystem development were occurring over time. In some sites, deterioration in the substrate quality as a growth medium was observed with increases in acidity and salinity. This was most likely caused by pyrite oxidation in the tailings and the high concentrations of free salts. The increasing acidity and salinity resulted in vegetation senescence and declines in landscape function. However, those sites that possessed higher landscape function appeared to have the ecosystem processes in place that temporarily suppressed negative chemical changes. Whilst this was encouraging,the rehabilitation chronosequence had not yet proven the self-sustainability that it would require for closure purposes. Further monitoring would be required over time. The sustainability of the rehabilitating chronosequence was brought into question by the high acid-forming potential of the tailings growth medium. Concerns were also raised over the ability of the established vegetation cover to persist under conditions of increasing stress and disturbance. Furthermore, the land-use capabilities of the sites are limited by current rehabilitation procedures and various recommendations were made to rectify this. A more streamlined monitoring framework for the tailings complex was also proposed. The contribution of this work lies in its holistic integration of monitoring techniques and the meaningful analysis of ecosystem function, an aspect largely ignored in minesite rehabilitation.
Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Sciences and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

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Schmitzhaus, Wagner Cristiano. "Análise de cenários de planejamento de lavra para adequação de uso futuro de área de mineração de agregados." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/178456.

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A produção de agregados para construção civil é o maior segmento mineral Brasileiro, em números de produção, sendo formada principalmente por pequenos e médios empreendimentos, normalmente utilizando técnicas e procedimentos obsoletos e pouco um nenhum planejamento tanto para extração quanto para o fechamento da mina. O fechamento de mina e posterior utilização da área ainda é um grande problema visto que existem muitas áreas mineradas em que o plano de fechamento de mina não foi executado, deixando assim um passivo socioambiental elevado, prejudicando a imagem da mineração. Existem diversos exemplos de sucesso em que antigas cavas foram utilizadas para a implantação de novos empreendimentos, como loteamentos, óperas e hotéis. Com o intuito de mostrar a importância do planejamento para fechamento e posterior utilização de área de mineração, bem como a análise ambiental e impactos da atividade na sociedade e meio ambiente, este trabalho tem o objetivo de desenvolver uma metodologia para auxiliar, principalmente o pequeno e médio produtor de agregados, sobre os impactos que o correto planejamento e manejo da operação têm sobre o retorno no uso futuro da área. Foram desenvolvidos diferentes cenários de usos futuros alternativos de uma área de mineração localizada no Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, que posteriormente foram comparados entre si em relação à recuperação mineral, impactos socioambientais, e retorno financeiro. Ao final do trabalho foi possível visualizar uma metodologia apropriada para a análise de impactos socioambientais e planejamento para preparação da área para o recebimento de novos empreendimentos. A partir destes métodos de análise dispõe-se de diversos cenários comparativos, podendo assim o empreendedor tomar a decisão mais correta em relação ao seu empreendimento minerário e futuros empreendimentos pós-fechamento.
Aggregate production for civil construction is the largest Brazilian mineral segment, in production numbers, consisting mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises, usually using obsolete techniques and procedures and little or no planning for both extraction and closure of the mine. The closure of mines and subsequent use of the area is still a major problem, there are many mined areas where the mine closure plan has not been implemented, thus leaving a high social and environmental liability, damaging the mining image, but there are several examples of use of deactivated mining sites for the implementation of diverse projects. In order to show the importance of planning for the closure and subsequent use of the mining area, as well as the environmental analysis of impacts of the activity on society and the environment, this work has the objective of developing a methodology to assist, especially small and medium aggregate producer, on the impacts that correct planning and management of the operation has on the future use of the area. Different scenarios of future uses of a mining area located in the Northern Coast of Rio Grande do Sul were developed, which were later compared to each other in relation to mineral recovery, socioenvironmental impacts, and financial return. At the end of the work it was possible to visualize an appropriate methodology for the analysis of socio-environmental impacts and planning to prepare the area to receive new projects. From these methods of analysis we have several comparative scenarios, so that the entrepreneur can make the most correct decision regarding his mining enterprise and future enterprises after the closing.

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Hewitt, Mark S. "Alternative rehabilitation techniques and sustainable outcomes from mining using appropriate environmental management and mine closure planning in an arid region of Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/250.

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The subject of this thesis is the development of alternative approaches to environmental management and mine closure plans using case examples of the Big Bell/Cue Mining District and as a working example, an area of unconfined washout of historical gold-mine process tailings located in this arid inland region of Western Australia. This is considered appropriate in the light of the social and political thrust for industry to develop simultaneously positive economic, social and environmental outcomes from their activities. The Big Bell mining operation ceased mining in June 2003 and the Mine Closure Plan reflected a classical approach of minimization of public liability and strict compliance with legislative requirements. During the life of the modern mine the approach to rehabilitation was similarly classical in its approach It is intended for this document to inform the mining industry using the case example of the now closed Big Bell Mine as to how greater long-term outcomes may have been achieved for the State and the region for the future. This thesis specifically investigates alternative ways to approach rehabilitation in arid areas of Western Australia using the washout area as an example and trial area. This thesis has approached the issue by addressing the quantification of what has occurred through the gathering of baseline data of the case study area and then by the implementation of a series of relevant trials to identify appropriate eco-functional process-sensitive methods for rehabilitation as an alternative to current industry practice. Trials investigating the use of "retention banks" and "clay/seed balls" and the use of ex-mine milling waste carbon were conducted to investigate relevant possible techniques suitable for arid mine-site waste dump rehabilitation. Data analysis indicated that the main reason for the high level of degradation within the case study area is due to the smothering effect of the fine clayey tails cover and due to acidity of the tailings. A detailed examination of 92 soil samples found water infiltration of tails-washed areas as half that of control areas. Acidity of alluvium has declined from pH 5.2 to 3.8. The acidity has penetrated at depth to hardpan. Trials were commenced to rehabilitate the area using a combination of earthworks (retention banks and· scarification), pH- adjustment (using ex-mill carbon and crushed lime), and the use of native seed pelletised into clay-balls. The introduction of ex-mill carbon was shown to be effective in ameliorating pH in the tails wash area and improving its capacity to regenerate. Considering it is a widely available waste product with the gold mining industry it should be seriously considered in its application for rehabilitation purposes, and specifically in areas affected by severe acidification and desertification particularly by mismanaged tailings with pyrite content. The use of clay balls should also be subjected to further investigation. It is at least equal to the traditional use of raw seed and fertilizer with immediate and abundant rainfall. As this almost never occurs, it should prove to be superior, in delivering higher rates of viability for seed used. The thesis then attempts to integrate this study within the context of the wider issues of environmental management, specifically the best practice of mine closure plans and the adoption of sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes from mining as an integral part of responsible operational environmental management plans. The thesis argues that the environmental management planning and specifically the Mine Closure Plan should not waste the myriad of opportunities that are the by-product of mining for the long-term sustainable benefit of the wider region. It is argued that if mining companies are serious about sustainability, then they cannot continue with short-term cycles of mining and closure. However to be realistic it will take concerted willingness from all stakeholders to pursue these outcomes. While a given mining operation can offer extensive resources and assets to support this approach the commercial and legislative pressures of core mining activities necessarily mean that mines are in fact encouraged to simply return the environment back to as natural state after operations are complete. Invariably this means hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure are levelled and scrapped to avoid all future liability, whilst the potential for sustainable outcomes is essentially ignored. The same Government that enforces the Mining Act and has a State Sustainability Strategy imposes the conditions which create unimaginative classical mine closure plans. Government, industry and the residents of regions must work together to seriously develop sustainable outcomes to mining.

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[Verfasser], Toni, Carsten [Akademischer Betreuer] Drebenstedt, Carsten [Gutachter] Drebenstedt, and Peter [Gutachter] Moser. "Economic model of mine closure and its potential for economic transformation / Toni ; Gutachter: Carsten Drebenstedt, Peter Moser ; Betreuer: Carsten Drebenstedt." Freiberg : Technische Universitaet Bergakademie Freiberg Universitaetsbibliothek "Georgius Agricola", 2015. http://d-nb.info/1220912042/34.

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Buthelezi, Mbekezeli Simphiwe. "A critical evaluation of local level responses to mine closure in the Northwestern KwaZulu-Natal coal belt region, South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005497.

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The de-industrialisation process that was a common feature of North America and Western Europe in the 1970s, through into the 1980s has become an observable feature in African countries and South Africa in particular in the last two decades. Globally, hard hit areas include those associated with the early Industrial Revolution characterised by mass production and the agglomeration of iron and steel, coal and textile industries. General changes in the global market, especially the falling demand for extractive heavy minerals like coal and gold have also affected many countries region and localities. In the case of South Mrica, the previous high economic dependence on mined minerals like coal and gold has resulted in many once prosperous mining regions of the country being reduced to a shadow of their former selves. The worst affected areas in South Africa are those of the Klerksdorp Goldfields in the North West Province and Free State Goldfields, with the latter alone losing 100,000 jobs during the 1990s. This trend has also been acute in the coal-mining industry of the KwaZulu-Natal province since the late 1970s. The firms that had grown in the shadow of the major mining company supplyipg machinery, or who processed the semi-manufactured product are also severely affected by the closing down and restructuring in the mining and iron industries. These industries have often been forced to close down because of a break in the vital connections they developed with these mining industries. Such localised economic crisis has encouraged the universal trend towards the devolution of developmental responsibilities to the local governments and other local stakeholders to - empower them to respond to these changes. This study investigated the local economic initiatives which have been undertaken in the three municipalities of north-western KwaZulu Natal i.e. Utrecht, Dundee and Dannhauser to respond to the closures which have taken place in the mining industry of this region, which used to be among the most prosperous coal mining regions of South Africa. Using their new developmental mandate the local governments, in partnership with the communities and other external interveners have tried to respond to these localised economic crisis and also indirectly to the general poverty and underdevelopment, which characterises this region of KwaZulu-Natal. The effects of apartheid policies, and previous discriminatory rural development policies in, particular, and the Regional Industrial Development policy, which was intensively applied in the 1980s by the pre-1994 government regime, have further compounded the magnitude of the challenge. The lack of capacity in some municipalities has constrained successful implementation of Local Economic Development has led to some communities acting alone to face their situation with or without external intervention.

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Weyer, Vanessa Derryn. "Surface-strip coal mine rehabilitation risk assessment : the development of an integrated rehabilitation risk assessment model for use in South Africa and Australia." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77899.

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Surface-strip coal mine rehabilitation planning in South Africa and Australia is immature. Rehabilitation risk assessment, despite being advocated by leading practice guidelines and in some instances by legislation, is conducted with minimum requirements often met by rehabilitation professionals. Specialist data is gathered during mine approval and for the environmental impact assessment process. However, the focus of this is toward assessing mining impacts and not for rehabilitation risk assessment. Quantitative, integrated, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation risk assessment is seldom undertaken. This thesis provides a methodology towards the development of a quantitative, integrative, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation risk assessment model. Its purpose being to 'profile' surface-strip coal mine sites, in terms of their rehabilitation risk and potential for rehabilitation failure, from the outset of mine operations, with adjustments possible progressively during mine operations. The methodology was developed by first reviewing techniques suitable for the development of the model, as well as techniques developed by others. Bayesian networks (BN) were found to be the most suited. A R2AIN framework was then provided as a process towards developing several BN risk event models that can amalgamate to form a synthesis rehabilitation risk assessment model. A case study soil compaction BN model was used to demonstrate the framework in South Africa and Australia. The case study showed that it is possible to integrate and quantify rehabilitation risk, and most importantly to segregate risk into discrete contributing multidisciplines for analysis. Risk percentages can be calculated per multi-discipline, per mine phase, per site, to aid site risk ‘profiling’. It is recommended that further risk event BN models be prioritised for development and that a rehabilitation risk assessment model be developed to synthesise these into one model. This will require continuous improvements in the method, to build confidence, including extensive risk event and synthesis BN model evaluation and testing; improved BN input node states and values; and simplification of the conditional probability table construction method. Adaptation to other mining types, development activities and other regions should be investigated, as well as spatial linkages to geographic information systems. This research contribution improves upfront mine rehabilitation planning and decision making, providing improved tools and techniques than what currently exist.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020.
Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology
PhD
Unrestricted

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Karlsson, Urban. "Den obefintliga framtiden : en studie om en nedläggningshotad gruvby i fjällen." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för socialt arbete, 1990. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-61926.

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Klimpfjäll is a mountain village in the south of Lappland. In the middle of the 1970's a mine was set up in Stekenjokk about 20 km west of Klimpfjäll. A new housing estate was built, as an extension of Klimpfjäll, to accommodate the miners (about 170 people) and their families. This new part of Klimpfjäll was named, by the local inhabitants, Nybyn (The New Village), and the original village became known as Gammelbyn (The Old Village). For many of the people, the move to Nybyn was not just a case of being provided with the opportunity to earn a living. It was part of a life-objective. However, this way of life had an obstacle; the mine had a limited lifespan. A number of Nybyn's inhabitants could possibly remain in the village, even after the closing of the mine, but for the majority this was an impossibility. Nevertheless, the people still believed in the possibility of "saving" Nybyn as a whole, despite the unreasonableness of that belief. This was also the belief held by the local council, the state and the mining company. I have named this phenomenon "mystification". The future of Klimpfjäll became a mystery. The people would rather not discuss the future of Klimpfjäll because they know that it does not exist, they, nevertheless, want to believe in it. It is this mystification that made the establishment of the mine possible, and which holds Nybyn together socially. The Social Welfare Service in Vilhelmina had, for a long time, regarded Klimpfjäll as a social problem. The problem was defined as being traditional social problems, due partly to addiction and partly to loneliness. For this reason an action research project was started. But the real problem for the people of Nybyn was the uncertainty of the future. The project was doomed to fail. Why should the people of Nybyn "go to evening classes" when their village was being threatened with closure? The project became just one element in the continuing mystification. It was not possible to redefine the project as a "survival project", since everyone wanted to believe in a continue future for the mine. In this study I have attempted to understand why it was impossible for the action research project to succeed. In understanding its failure I believe that we can also understand the people of Klimpfjäll.
digitalisering@umu

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Taveira, Ana Lucia Silva. "Provisão de recursos financeiros para o fechamento de empreendimentos mineiros." Universidade de São Paulo, 2003. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/3/3134/tde-25062004-125720/.

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A fase de fechamento de uma mina, se não for bem administrada, causa impactos ambientais que atingem de forma direta a população do entorno. Historicamente, as minas exauridas eram abandonadas sem que se fossem tomadas providências para reduzir riscos e impactos sócio-ambientais. Na atualidade, em diversos países, as empresas de mineração são responsáveis pela reabilitação das áreas mineradas e por tomar providências visando mitigar os impactos negativos do fechamento de minas. No entanto, muitas vezes ainda se vê uma atitude negligente por parte de certos empreendedores, abandonando a área minerada ou implantando somente medidas insatisfatórias para um adequado fechamento da mina, sob alegação de que não possuem meios para financiarem as medidas necessárias numa fase em que não há mais geração de receita, pois não se fez a provisão de recursos durante a operação do empreendimento. Tal situação é inaceitável diante dos novos rumos tomados pela humanidade, que exige, ainda que de forma incipiente, a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável. Surge daí, a necessidade de se pensar em métodos para concretizar a implementação de um plano de fechamento para cada mina, de forma a satisfazer às expectativas da comunidade e demais interessados. Neste cenário, torna-se necessário considerar os recursos financeiros para se atingir tal objetivo. Uma alternativa é a internalização, para a empresa, dos custos ambientais envolvidos na fase de fechamento, ou seja, a aplicação do Princípio Poluidor-Pagador e do método ABC (Custeio Baseado em Atividade), como o objetivo de provisionar recursos para a execução dos projetos previstos. Outra questão a ser considerada é a da responsabilidade. Nesta pesquisa, buscou-se definir o papel de cada segmento (empreendedor, governo e sociedade) no fechamento da mineração. Com base em um estudo de caso e na revisão da experiência internacional, conclui-se que o plano de fechamento deve ser desenvolvido desde o início do projeto mineral, permitindo, entre outros aspectos, o adequado provisionamento de recursos e o estabelecimento de garantias financeiras. Os planos de fechamento que obtiveram êxito foram elaborados com intensa participação de todos os envolvidos, durante todas as fases de desenvolvimento da mineração, mantendo-se um canal aberto de discussões e reivindicações entre empresa e comunidade. Nos casos em que isso não ocorreu, o abandono da área ou a insatisfação da sociedade com a empresa prevaleceram e deixaram uma imagem negativa da empresa e do setor mineral. Nota-se que muitos planos de fechamento não dão a devida atenção aos aspectos relacionados ao meio antrópico e à vida da comunidade onde se insere a mina. Ao empreendedor cabe, portanto, preparar e implementar um plano de fechamento e provisionar recursos para tal. O governo deve definir as premissas a serem seguidas e fiscalizar a execução daquilo que foi aprovado. À sociedade cabe manifestar os seus anseios e acompanhar/participar a execução do plano de fechamento, além de discutir as alternativas de uso da área uma vez encerrada a mineração. O plano de fechamento deve contemplar todos os projetos de engenharia para a recuperação da área degradada, programas de recuperação da fauna e recomposição da flora, programas de desenvolvimento social, tanto para a comunidade atingida como para funcionários e fornecedores da mineração; deve incluir uma estimativa de investimento condizente com os trabalhos a serem implementados e definir claramente o cronograma físico-financeiro. O principal objetivo é alcançar, no menor tempo possível, a estabilidade física, química e biológica, bem como o desenvolvimento social da comunidade atingida pela mineração
A mine closure plan, if not well administered, can cause adverse environmental impacts that may directly affect the population in the surroundings. Traditionally, the exhausted mines were abandoned without being taken the suitable provisions to reduce the hazards and social-environmental shocks. Presently, in several countries, the mining industries, are responsible for the rehabilitation of the mined areas and for taking the necessary precautions aiming to moderate the negative impacts of the mine closure. Nevertheless, continuous negligent attitudes are still observed on the entrepreneurs part , disregarding the mined areas or establishing unsatisfactory measures for a suitable mine close-out, under assertion of insufficient means to finance the required steps when no income is generated due to a lack of provision of resources beforehand during operation undertaking. Such a situation becomes unacceptable with the course humanity is now taking, that demands, even in principle means, the promotion of a sustainable development. Therefore, there arises the need of generating new methods to render implementation of a closure plan for each mine, in the means of satisfying the expectations of the communities and interested parties. To develop and execute such a plan, it becomes extremely important to identify and determine the financial resources to reach this purpose. One of the options would be the internalization of the environmental costs of the closure plan to the company, applying the Pollution-Pay-Principle and the ABC Method (Activity Based Costing) with the objective to provide those resources for the execution of projects . In addition, it is of equal importance to determine the closure plan accountability. This thesis considers how each segment of the society (government, general public and entrepreneurs ) should act and participate in a closure plan process. Based on the evaluation of the data presented, it was concluded that a closure plan should be developed at the very beginning of a mining project leading to an adequate provision of financial resources and establishment of financial warranties. . The success of some closure plans were due to intense participation of all involved, during all the phases of mining development, asserting opened discussion and demands amongst the company and community. In some cases, the abuse of the area or the dissatisfaction of the society regarding the company prevailed and caused a negative image of the company and mineral industry. It is noticed that many closure plans do not give proper attention to the aspects related to the environment and the community life where the mine is. The entrepreneur is the only responsible party for implementing and preparing such plan and furthermore providing the resources required. The government is in charge for developing closure plans guidelines to be followed, verify and enforce compliance to the guidelines. The general public should express its cravings , verify and participate in the closure plan and furthermore on discussions of the alternative use of the area once the mine is closed. The plan should also ponder on the engineering projects for recovering the area, fauna recovery programs and rearrangement of botany, social-development programs as for the community affected and employees and mining suppliers; an investment estimate, suitable for the work which is to be implemented, should be included and clearly define the financial chronology. The main purpose is to succeed in physical, chemical and biological stability in the short and long term, as well as the social development of the affected community.

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Frith, R. C. "Study of prediction of closure behaviour and stability of mining tunnels." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.381162.

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McCulloch, Gregory. "Socio-economic impact assessment of De Beers Namaqualand Mines closure in 2002." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/21693.

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BIbliography: pages 73-75.
This summary contains three sections. Firstly a review of the Baseline Information Report followed by a presentation of the findings of this assessment report. The findings are the impacts of closure. Finally mitigatory measures are recommended. The Baseline Information Report, 5/92/87, was produced by the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) with the assistance of the 1 992 Masters students of the department of Environmental and Geographical Science. Its primary aims were to introduce the NM 2005 study, describe methods used and present results. A brief description of its contents follows : De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM) commissioned the EEU to undertake a study, seeped to assessment ofthe socio-economic effects of mine closure and recommendations for mitigation. The effects or impacts; vary in their magnitude and significance further more they effect a wide range of people and organisations. To establish the magnitudes and significance of the socio-economic effects, the environments of Namaqualand and the Transkei region, in which the impacts are to occur, needed definition. The defined environments acted as a baseline for changes brought about through DBNM closure. Firstly, the history of the Namaqualand people and their socio-economic activity trends was established and issues were put in context. History indicates Namaqualand went through a land-grabbing phase, during which the Khoi Khoi people were dispossessed of their land to make way for trekboer farming and copper and diamond mining (Fig, 1991). The latter industries continue to dominate the region today, providing labour opportunities for Namaqualand's coloured majority and 58 %of the region's gross geographic product in 1991. The agricultural and fishing industries are marginal and are expected to remain that way (Dunne, 1988). Secondly, the Transkeian environment, its history and trends were established using the Herschel District as microcosm for study. The results indicated a history of forced removals. The present subsistence community are struggling with poor infrastructure and are heavily dependant on pensions and money sent home from migrant labourers. Having established some background the report continues by describing the social effects which could be felt by the DBNM employees, their dependants, their communities and other interested and affected parties. The social effects were gauged through surveys, meetings, written and telephonic correspondence. The employees were divided into three groups; Namaqualand, Transkei and mine town, based on the regions the employees called "home". The survey results showed that the three groups were distinctly different. Indicating that group members along with their dependants and communities, could be effected by DBNM closure to different levels of significance. Their concerns with closure, revolved primarily around; unemployment and the lack of opportunities, education, quality of life and the regional economy. The groups also suggested mitigation such as the establishment of a development aid fund, returning DBNM land to the Rural Coloured Areas and DBNM involvement in local projects. The economic effects will be felt by businesses who deal with DBNM and its employees. The businesses in the Namaqualand region are likely to experience the most significant effects. While the national and international communities are likely to be influenced to a lesser extent. Economic effects were established through the examination of macro-fiscal flows, input-output analysis and a business survey in Namaqualand. The macro scale study was covered by the input-output analysis which found South Africa, outside of development region A, is likely to experience the largest financial loss, greater than that of the local region and the international community. In particular, the services and machines sectors were predicted to experience the greatest loss due to closure. On a micro scale, the survey of Namaqualand businesses indicates that 17 % of the regions turnover emanates from dealings with DBNM and its employees. DBNM closure would result in business closures (3 % in Springbok and 5 % elsewhere in Namaqualand) and retrenchments (a predicated 250 or 4. 7 % of business employees) primarily in Springbok, Steinkopf and Komaggas.

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Epstein, Douglas J. "Determining the molecular basis of the mutation underlying the mouse neural tube closure mutant, Splotch." Thesis, McGill University, 1993. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=41266.

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Splotch (Sp) is a semidominant mouse mutant which maps to the proximal portion of chromosome 1 and is phenotypically expressed as a pleiotropic defect during neurogenesis, resulting in spina bifida, exencephaly and dysgenesis of neural crest cell derivatives. To identify the aberrant gene underlying the defects observed in the Sp mouse mutant we initiated positional cloning strategy. Our preliminary efforts were directed at establishing the boundaries of a deleted chromosomal segment found in the Sp$ sp{r}$ allele, using nine gene probes that were assigned to that region of chromosome 1. Four of these genes, Vil, Des, Inha, and Akp-3, spanning a genetic distance of approximately 15 cM, were found to map within the Sp$ sp{r}$ deletion. In order to further delineate the subchromosomal location of the Sp gene, the proximal segment of mouse chromosome 1 was saturated with microclones isolated from a library of microdissected genomic fragments generated from this region. An additional eight markers were found to map within the confines of the Sp$ sp{r}$ deletion.
During the course of this work a member of the paired box gene family, Pax-3, was described as a candidate for Sp. The striking similarity between the tissue distribution of Pax-3 mRNA in normal developing embryos, and the neural structures affected in Sp mice, together with the chromosome 1 location of Pax-3 led us to examine whether Pax-3 was mutated in three alleles at this locus Sp$ sp{r}$, Sp$ sp{2H}$ and Sp. The entire Pax-3 gene was determined to be deleted in the Sp$ sp{r}$ allele. Analysis of genomic DNA and cDNA clones constructed from RNA isolated from $Sp sp{2H}/Sp sp{2H}$ embryos identified a deletion of 32 nucleotides within the paired type homeobox and is predicted to produce a truncated protein as a result of a newly created termination codon at the deletion breakpoint. The original Sp allele was also characterized and found to contain an A to T transversion at position -2 in the third intron of Pax-3 which abrogates the normal splicing of this intron due to the loss of its natural 3$ sp prime$ splice acceptor. Taken together, these studies indicate that the severe defect in neural tube formation detected in Sp and its allelic variants is linked to the inactivation of the paired box gene Pax-3, and provides direct genetic evidence of a key role for Pax-3 in normal neural development.

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Hewitson, Shaun B. "An assessment of the quantum for financial provision of mine closures: a Monte Carlo approach." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12190.

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Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references.
Poor mine closure policy threatens both society and the environment. Some of the more prominent threats that have manifested are acid mine drainage, slimes dams and toxic dust from dumps. Current legislation requires that new mines set aside funds to cover their rehabilitation costs at closure.

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Beaumont, Judy. "Nm2002 : closure of De Beers Namaqualand mines in 2002 : a socio-economic impact assessment." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17319.

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Bibliography: pages 117-119.
In December 1991, De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM) commissioned the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) of the University of Cape Town to undertake a socio-economic impact assessment of the future closure of their diamond mines in Namaqualand. As the end of the life of the mines is approached it will be necessary to plan for a reduction in productivity and ultimately for mine closure. It is estimated that the financially viable diamond reserves will be depleted by approximately 2002. The purpose of this report is to identify and assess the impacts of mine closure and make recommendations for the mitigation of these effects. The study has taken place during the initial stages of planning for mine closure. Conclusions and recommendations could thus be utilised by DBNM to inform the planning process.

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Campbell, Dennis D. "Ideas/objects: bringing the made closer to the mind." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42117.

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Architecture is a formal expression of an idea. 'We perceive every form as the embodiment of an idea, every piece of work as a manifestation of our innermost selves. Only work which is the product of inner compulsion can have spiritual meaning.", Architecture must hold the intent to address aspects of human existence. Without this intent the architect has only to work with that which is capricious, and nothing more, leaving little to Question or discover. As architects we bring into being through making. We make, discover, Question, and uncover all in an effort to understand more. We make in order to begin to know. The objective of creating in architecture is to make an idea tangible, to give it form, to reveal the essence of the intangible. It is only after this point is reached that the nature of the intent can be Questioned, and what is important for the expression of the ideal can be determined. Ceaseless making and Questioning not only distill the properties of that which is made, but uncloud and clarify the essence of the idea. With each removed layer the unblemished idea is revealed and understood, bringing the made closer to the mind. This thesis is about the accretion of an architect. It is an attempt to demonstrate design goals as well as shape thoughts that define a position on architecture, to provide an armature and direction for the lifelong studies and investigations that lie ahead. Although the projects in this thesis differ in their concerns, they share that which is universal in art and architecture, an intent to express an idea.
Master of Architecture

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Júnior, José Baptista de Oliveira. "Desativação de empreendimentos mineiros: estratégias para diminuir o passivo ambiental." Universidade de São Paulo, 2001. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/3/3134/tde-22102003-153601/.

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A desativação de um empreendimento mineiro é uma etapa importante do planejamento de uma mina e o seu estudo tem a finalidade de reduzir ou eliminar o passivo ambiental após o fechamento de uma mina. Para isto, são necessárias ações e programas desenvolvidos durante a vida da mina, com a participação de todos os interessados. É também relevante a previsão dos gastos com recuperação e desativação na fase de viabilidade econômica por meio de índices confiáveis. Foram avaliadas três empresas com áreas desativadas: uma desativada totalmente, a outra com frente de lavra desativada e a terceira paralisada. Ficou evidente, neste trabalho, a falta de roteiros e normas na legislação ambiental para a preparação da desativação no início de uma mina. Esta falta induz o empreendedor a só se preocupar com a desativação e a preparação de um plano quando o fechamento da mina é iminente; neste momento, as empresas estão descapitalizadas e os custos com a recuperação serão elevados. Foram propostos, modelo de Plano de Desativação, a ser preparado na etapa de planejamento da mina, e um índice econômico que relaciona os custos de recuperação aos custos de produção da mina na fase de viabilidade econômica.
One of the most important stages in the mine planning is the closure of a mine. This study has the aim to minimize or eliminate the well-known environmental damage left after the closure of the mine site. In order to carry out the process of mine closure, some procedures and programs should be conducted during the mine life cycle, involving people who are interested in environment problems. It is also important, the previous calculation of the environmental cost and all the cost relate to the closure of the mine itself during the mine project by using reliable cost index. In this research, three different mining companies having abandoned areas were evaluated: the first being closed-down completely, the second one having an abandoned mining face and the third one was thoroughly paralyzed. It was demonstrated in this case-study that there aren't any procedures or specifications for mines closure which could be considered in beginning of the mining project. This lack of regulation and procedures related to mining closure makes mining company managers or mining company owners only take into consideration a closure mining plan in the final stage of the production when the mine site needs to be closed as soon as possible. However, at that stage, most mining companies are with lack of working capital and the cost of environment protection is very expensive. As result of this research, a Closure Mine Model was proposed, which should be prepared in the very beginning of the mining planning stage. It was also proposed an economic index that is related to the cost of environment protection to the mining production cost in the stage of the economical feasibility studies.

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Gosling, Melanie. "An assessment of the potential socio-economic impact of the future closure of DBNM's diamond mines in Namaqualand." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17320.

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Bibliography: p. 163-167.
De Beers Consolidated Mines, Namaqualand Division (DBNM) anticipate that the financially viable diamond reserves at their mines on the West Coast would be depleted by 2002, resulting in closure of the mine. DBNM commissioned the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) of the University of Cape Town to assess the social and economic impacts of future mine closure and to recommend measures to mitigate the negative impacts. The aim is to assist DBNM management in future planning. Baseline data were compiled in a separate document: NM2005: Impact Assessment: Baseline Information Report. Using that data, this report identifies and assesses the socio-economic impacts of mine closure on DBNM employees, and on the two regions from where most employees originate, Namaqualand and the Herschei/Sterkspruit district of Transkei (Fig 2). Integrated environmental management procedures and social impact assessment methods were followed in the assessment.

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Wang, Chanung. "A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SLEEP, DIURNAL PATTERNS, AND EYE CLOSURE BETWEEN THE HOUSE MOUSE (MUS MUSCULUS) AND AFRICAN SPINY MOUSE (ACOMYS CAHIRINUS)." UKnowledge, 2018. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/biology_etds/53.

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To understand the function and origins of sleep, sleep needs to be studied across many different species. Although it is well conserved throughout mammals, 95% of papers are restricted to just three species, Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, and Rattus norvegicus. We aimed to characterize sleep and wake in a Murid rodent Acomys cahirinus in greater detail alongside the well-studied laboratory house mouse (Mus musculus) and wild M. musculus using a well validated, non-invasive, piezoelectric system for sleep and activity monitoring. We confirmed A. cahirinus, M. musculus, and wild M. musculus to be primarily nocturnal, but with clearly distinct behavioral patterns. Specifically, the activity of A. cahirinus sharply increases right at dark onset, which is common in nocturnal species, but surprisingly, decreases sharply just one hour later. Using infra-red camera recordings in single and group cage conditions, we found that A. cahirinus is more active early in the night period than late night period in single and group cages, and this decreased activity in the latter half of the night is much greater compared to M. musculus. In order to better understand these differences in activity, we investigated the sleep architecture of A. cahirinus using electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Our data show that A. cahirinus have a few key differences in sleep from M. musculus. A. cahirinus have significantly longer daily sleep periods and exhibit a much higher amount of REM sleep. A. cahirinus are awake at dark onset, but sleep more than M. musculus after the middle of the night. Most strikingly, A. cahirinus do not close their eyes virtually at all while sleeping, day or night. In order to test whether the sleep patterns of A. cahirinus are affected by or responsive to different light input, we set up a light flashing experiment during the daytime. While sleep amount did not change significantly during light flashing, A. cahirinus spent significantly less time in REM compared to baseline. In contrast, M. musculus had no difference in REM sleep percentage. Histological studies showed A. cahirinus have thinner retinal layers, but much thicker corneas than M. musculus. Electroretinography (ERG) results, specifically b-wave amplitudes, are significantly different between these two species. While eye closure and sleep have not been systematically studied across mammals, our observation is clearly a rare behavior. This raises further questions about A. cahirinus sleep architecture, the adaptive value of eyes open sleep to A. cahirius and whether they may have limited visual processing even during normal sleep.

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Oguamanam, Eugene Ezenwa. "An Encounter Between Aristotle And Contemporary Philosophy of Mind The Case of Reductive Physicalism As Espoused By Jaegwon Kim." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/74925.

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I argue in this thesis that Aristotle’s hylomorphic metaphysics, supported by his theory of causality and his theory of the soul (De Anima), holds the key to solving the problem of mental causation in contemporary philosophy of mind. A core aspect of the contemporary mind-body problem is the problem of mental causation (how does the mind interact with the body to cause actions in humans). Without mental causation, in the realist sense of the word, it is difficult to see how humans are held responsible for their actions. There have been different approaches to solving the mind-body problem, but each has met with its own set of problems, except, I argue, Aristotle’s hylomorphism. Jaegwon Kim argues that Davidson’s anomalous monism cum supervenience renders mental causation epiphenomenal, and that a mental state is causally efficacious only when reduced to the physical properties. I argue that it is the phenomenal consciousness that accounts for our actions, and while neither Davidson’s nor Kim’s accounts of action can adequately deal with phenomenal consciousness, Aristotle’s metaphysics can. I argue that the ancient and neo-Aristotelian notion of self-knowledge is akin to our contemporary notion of phenomenal consciousness and that Aristotle saves the notion of autonomous mental causation through his theory of hylomorphism that holds every substance is a composite of matter (body) and form (soul). My thesis is thus a novel invitation to rethink Aristotle’s psychology and philosophy of mind in the context of contemporary philosophy of mind.
Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria 2020.
University of Pretoria(Postgraduate Bursary (2017-2018)
Philosophy
DPhil
Unrestricted

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TOURINHO, CARLOS DIOGENES CORTES. "THE REDISCOVERY OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY OF MIND: SUBJECTIVISM, REDUCTIONISM AND THE HYPOTHESIS OF THE COGNITIVE CLOSURE." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2003. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=4355@1.

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CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
A pesquisa concentra-se em torno da noção de consciência, mais precisamente, em torno da redescoberta dessa noção na Filosofia da Mente contemporânea. Antes, porém, mostra- nos, através de uma revisão histórica dos estudos sobre a mente, que a referida noção passa por transformações importantes do século XVII ao final do século XIX, sendo caracterizada, em momentos distintos, como reflexividade,como intencionalidade e como memória. Em seguida, após analisar o processo de enfraquecimento dos estudos sobre a consciência no começo do século XX, a pesquisa aborda a retomada desses estudos na Filosofia da Mente contemporânea, registrando seus principais programas de pesquisa, bem como os impasses criados a partir das controvérsias entre as teorias reducionistas da consciência e as teorias subjetivistas, partidárias de um anti- reducionismo. Ao final, analisando a hipótese do fechamento cognitivo, nas versões do naturalismo não-construtivo e da teoria da diafaneidade,a pesquisa aponta-nos uma solução para os impasses acerca do problema da consciência no cenário contemporâneo, procurando ressaltar algumas implicações importantes para uma compreensão da consciência para além de um domínio intencional.
This thesis brings the notion of consciousness into focus. A critical study is undertaken about the historical fact of the rediscovery of such a notion along the last decades of the twentieth century, within the area of philosophy known as Philosophy of Mind. In order to prepare the study of such an event, a propedeutic historical survey of consecutive philosophical conceptions of consciousness, first as reflexivity, then as intentionality and then as memory is presented, along with the analysis of the eclipse of such notion in the behaviouristic psychology and psychoanalysis of the beginning of the twentieth century. To this survey it follows a critical exposition of the research programmes agenda of the (then) new area of the Philosophy of Mind from the fifties, its controversies and impasses. Finally a possible solution for such impasses is suggested to lie in the proposal of two dimensions of consciousness, one intentional, the other non- intentional, as an implication of both the naturalistic and the transparency hypothesis of the cognitive closure research programme.
La recherche est concentrée au tour de la notion de conscience, particulièrement, de la reprise de cette notion dans la Philosophie Contemporaine de lEsprit. Avant, cependant, le recherche nous montre, dans le contexte d`une révision historique des études sur lesprit, que la notion référée passe par des transformations importantes dès le XVII siècle jusquà la fin du XIX siècle, transformations caracterisées par des moments différents, dans lesqueles la conscience apparait comme réflexion, intention et mémoire. Puis, après lanalyse du processus daffaiblissement des études sur la conscience au début du XX siècle, la recherche montre la reprise des études sur la conscience dans la Philosophie Contemporaine de lEsprit, en registrant ses principaux programmes de recherche, aussi bien que les difficultées crées à partir des controverses entre les théories réductionistes et les théories subjectivistes partisanes dun anti réductionisme. Finallement, en analysant lhypothèse de la fermeture cognitive dans les conceptions du naturalisme non- constructif et de la théorie de la transparence, la recherche nous indique une solution pour les impasses sur ce sujet dans la scène contemporaine, en recherchant à mettre laccent sur quelques implications importantes de lhypothèse de la fermeture cognitive pour la compréhension de la conscience qui depasse le domaine intentionnel.

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Greeff, Karen Liane. "Socio-economic impact assessment of the proposed closure of De Beers Namaqualand diamond mines by the year 2005 : main report." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17321.

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Bibliography: pages 65-67.
In 1991 the Environmental Evaluation Unit (EEU) of the University of Cape Town was appointed by DBNM to undertake a socio-economic impact assessment of the proposed closure of DBNM by the year 2005. According to De Beers, the source of viable diamond ore is finite and unless technological advances or market fluctuations make the reserves economically viable, the mine has no option but to shut down its operations. This is anticipated to have major social and economic impacts on the region and DBNM. The emphasis is on regional impacts i.e. the Namaqualand Magisterial District. However, due to the concentration of employees originating from the Herschel District in the Transkei, special cognisance is taken of impacts likely to occur there. Therefore, the two main purposes of this report are to: * identify and evaluate the potential major socio-economic impacts arising out of the closure of De Beers Namaqualand Mines (DBNM), * determine mitigatory action which will reduce negative impacts and optimize positive impacts.

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Proulx, Michèle. "The uranium mining industry of the Bancroft area, an environmental history and heritage assessment." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq21696.pdf.

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Bishop, Richard. "Applications of Close-Range Terrestrial 3D Photogrammetry to Improve Safety in Underground Stone Mines." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/98920.

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The underground limestone mining industry is a small, but growing segment of the U.S. crushed stone industry. However, its fatality rate has been amongst the highest of the mining sector in recent years due to ground control issues related to ground collapses. It is therefore important to improve the engineering design, monitoring and visualization of ground control by utilizing new technologies that can help an underground limestone company maintain a safe and productive operation. Photogrammetry and laser scanning are remote sensing technologies that are useful tools for collecting three-dimensional spatial data with high levels of precision for many types of mining applications. Due to the reality of budget constraints for many underground stone mining operations, this research concentrates on photogrammetry as a more accessible technology for the average operation. Despite the challenging lighting conditions and size of underground limestone mines that has previous hindered photogrammetric surveys in these environments, over 13,000 photographic images were taken over a 3-year period in active mines to compile these models. This research summarizes that work and highlights the many applications of terrestrial close-range photogrammetry, including practical methodologies for implementing the techniques in working operations to better visualize hazards and pragmatic approaches for geotechnical analysis, improved engineering design and monitoring.
M.S.
The underground limestone mining industry is a small, but growing segment of the U.S. crushed stone industry. However, its fatality rate has been amongst the highest of the mining sector in recent years due to ground control issues related to ground collapses. It is therefore important to improve the engineering design, monitoring and visualization of ground control by utilizing new technologies that can help maintain safe and productive underground stone operations. Photogrammetry and laser scanning are remote sensing technologies that are useful tools for collecting three-dimensional spatial data with high levels of precision for many different mining applications. Due to the reality of budget constraints for many mining operations, this research concentrates on photogrammetry as a more accessible technology for the average operation, despite the challenging lighting conditions and expansive size of underground limestone mines that has previous hindered photogrammetric surveys in these environments. This research focuses on the applications of photogrammetry in underground stone mines and practical methodologies for implementing the techniques in working operations to better visualize hazards for improved engineering design and infrastructure management.

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Word, Sheela. "Eeny, meeny, miny, mo : self and close-other selection of personality test interpretations." PDXScholar, 1988. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3855.

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In a study investigating the ability of subjects and their close friends or relatives (close-others) to recognize subject personality test results under conditions which controlled for the Barnum effect, 64 male and female undergraduate psychology students were administered the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). Each subject later attempted to choose his or her own unidentified CPI profile from among three, and a close-other of the subject independently made the same selection. It was found that 57.81% of subjects and 45.31% of close others were able to correctly identify subject profiles; these results were significant at the .0001 and .05 levels respectively. The 53.12% rate of agreement between subjects and close-others in profile selection also proved significant, p < .001. In contrast with results from a previous study (Carlson, 1985), it was found that subject self-perception and CPI description correspond to a highly significant ·degree.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Mine closure'

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