RESEARCH SUMMARY 2014/2015

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

IN THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

15 MAY 2015

Executive Summary

The use of industry experts to do guest lecturing as well as appointing a number of them on a part time basis to help the department with both undergraduate as well as postgraduate studies was very well received by the students. They got involved with the academic program and specifically in research related activities. This is also of value in the research activities within the Guided Special Studies module.

In the field of mining there are many collaborative and cross-cutting research initiatives. Mining related research by various departments in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology continue.

Support for the Chair in Safety and Health and Environment from Sasol mining in the form of a salary subsidy continued. The support for the Chair in Rock Engineering by Harmony Gold continues in this program industry directed research into specific Rock Engineering problems and the associated solutions is directed.

The department is also involved in the following research areas with industry leaders within each of the mentioned disciplines:

Mechanisation and Automation Rock-breaking and Explosive engineering Management and Leadership Safety and Health Risk Management Mine Ventilation Engineering Rock Engineering.

The department vision to establish a Virtual Reality mine design centre primarily from sponsorship from Kumba and the University itself advanced well in 2014. This included the construction of offices and facilities for the mining department on top of the current Mineral Sciences building. Making new facilities available will further enhance the potential of the department to become a world leader in specific identified research themes and also bolster our training capabilities as well as providing a first in terms Virtual reality training in Africa.

There has been a marked increase in publications for 2014 compared to 2013 and it is expected that this upward trend will further continue for 2015. A total of 4 Journal and 12 Conference papers were prepared. To manage publications a comprehensive spread sheet based management tool was developed. Another Milestone was the completion of the Ventilation and Occupational Environment Engineering Handbook.

The department is therefore continuously in a growth phase with a lot of emphasis on establishing the infrastructure to ensure a sustainable future with regards student numbers growth and research activities. The department is also continuing with the establishments of its Mineral Resources Resilience Institute (MRRI) as an inter-faculty based mining research initiative and in this way further our footprint in the mining industry globally. This initiative will have as part of its delivery strategy support and enhance our teaching ability, foster and grow our research capability and further our consulting activities.

Further Milestones were the signing of a Memorandum of understanding with the Mine Health and Safety Council for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence. The University of Pretoria selected as one of four preferred service providers as well as the re-establishment of the SERA initiative in Mining Research.

The outlook for 2015 is indicating a very healthy pipeline of publications with 13 Journal papers in the pipeline and 15 Conference papers planned at the end of March 2015. The challenge to identify suitable, high impact Journals within the Mining Research area remains a considerable challenge.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

2 HONOURS DEGREE PROJECTS

3 JOURNAL AND/OR CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS 2014

4 PUBLICATION OF A TEXTBOOK

5 PUBLICATION OUTLOOK

1. IntroductionIn 2014 the use of industry experts that were appointed on a part time basis to help the department with postgraduate studies (project and research related work) continued. This was very well received by the students as industry experts got involved with the academic program (especially with regards research related activities, required from the Guided Special Studies module). Figure 1 shows a breakdown of the research capabilities and the environment in which postgraduate students can be assisted with in their studies within in the Department of Mining Engineering.

Figure 1 Post graduate research focus areas

It is envisaged that through the current Sasol chair in Safety and Health and Environment that further research opportunities within the coal mining environment will come forth. The current low oil price suppressed the research activities and initiatives within the coal mining industry, but this will change again.

Research within the noise reduction and the impact on noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) continued in 2014. Further initiatives in this area will have to include Industry Partners. Dust management and suppression within the surface as well as the underground environment formed part of the research activities in the department in 2014. This will continue into 2015 and the announcement of the new Mine Health and Safety Council Milestones will form the support base for future studies. Sasol has not made any further support available, outside the previous committed support. The support for this Chair will be concluded at the end of 2016.The Change Management research project has been concluded and the report was made available by Professor Jan du Plessis as Chairholder of the Sasol Chair.

The support for a chair in Rock Engineering by Harmony Gold continued in 2014, this position held by Mr Johan Hanekom. The projects scope and action plan have been completed and progress in this regard will be given on a quarterly basis. The value of this sponsorship is R4.7 million.

In 2014 the establishment of the Kumba Virtual Reality mine design centre started and it is planned to be completed by mid-2015. This funding together with funding from the University of Pretoria will in essence establish new Mining Engineering office facilities on top of the current Mineral Sciences building. The new facilities will enhance the Departments Professional projection and will improve the potential of the department to become a world leader in specific identified research areas that will be supported by modern technology to assist in Technology transfer.

The department remains in a growth phase with a lot of emphasis on establishing of infrastructure that will ensure a sustainable future. This is true for both student numbers, and research activities. During 2014 the department continued its efforts to establish its Mineral Resources Resilience Institute (MRRI). It is envisaged that this further our footprint in the mining industry globally. This initiative will have as part of its strategy, teaching, research and consulting activities.

It is important to note that department has a number of staff that is still junior in terms of academic development and their associated academic profile (when one considers it from a pure research prospective). There are also only 6 full time appointed lecturers in the department (which includes the HOD). This is in stark contrast when one considers the department’s staff complement and their associated mining experience. All of the staff members are busy with advancing their academic careers. Three of the staff members (lecturers), have honours degrees (all registered for their Masters degrees in mining engineering), one Master’s degree registered for a PhD, two senior lecturers (one PhD) with between 20 and 30 years of mining experience with the latter, to be registering for his Master’s degree.

In the recent past we have appointed 4 extra ordinary Professors to further enhance the academic profile and research related activities in the department. The latest appointment in 2014 was Prof. BK Belle. This forms the building blocks for the foundation for establishing an academic team that would be in a position to enhance the research output of the department in the future. Historically the department was not known to deliver a high number of research outputs annually. This will change as the initiatives are being put in place and research work is initiated. Following from 2013, 2014 was the second year, that the Department had a full staff complement and the necessary admin support staff in place, generously sponsored by the mining industry. The MQA also agreed in sponsoring 3 assistant lecturer positions per year for Historically Disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA’s) until 2016, of which currently only one is employed. The additional positions have been advertised and the process is on-going.

In addition to this we have also put in place a further new requirement for graduation of our B.Eng (Hons) Mining Engineering students and that is that all registered students will have to submit an article for publication with their respective department supervisors, before they would be allowed to graduate. This will ensure that we will increase the number of potential publications in future. All of these new initiatives have never been done before and will really improve the research output related publications per annum in future. It has also been decided that as from 2016 that Research Methodology will be a compulsory component of the special guided studies subject which in essence is an applied research investigation. It is the belief that this will further enhance the quality and quantity of our research outputs.

The department further boasts with the highest number of postgraduate students ever (which also includes the highest number of Honours, Masters and PhD students ever). This is clearly shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Post graduate students in Mining Engineering

Table 1 shows a breakdown of the research related topics and progress with regards our PhD and Master’s students.

Table 1 PhD Research in progress, publications pending and in progress (2014 continuing 2015)

Title (PhD research) Name Program Status Supervisor1 Development Of A Reliable Artificial Neural Network Cost

Model For Surface Coal MinesMussa Budeba PhD: Mining Publication

2013Final stages of publication Prof. R. Webber-Youngman

Prof. Yadivalli (potentially)2 Underground Coal Mining Methods and Design Guideline

to Best Practice including an Evaluation of Key Performance Indicators

Andre Dougall PhD: Mining In progress Prof. R Webber-YoungmanProf. Con Fauconnier

3 Pillar Design for general Geotechnical Conditions in Hard and Soft Rock Mines in South Africa

Kumendrie Naidoo PhD: Mining To be completed during 2015

Prof. F. MalanProf. J. Napier

5 An enterprise development business model for small mining partnerships in the 2015 South African socio economic environment

HJ Kriel PhD: Mining In progress Prof. R Webber-YoungmanProf. Con Fauconnier

6 The Design and Behaviour of Crush Pillars on the Merensky Reef

Michael du Plessis PhD: MiningPublication 2013

To be completed during 2015

Prof. F. MalanProf. J. Napier

7 Pillar design aspects related to South African underground Manganese mines

Johan Hanekom PhD: Mining In progress Prof. F. MalanProf. J. Napier

8 Active suppression of methane in coal mines Arend Späth PhD: Mining Engineering In progress Prof. JJL du Plessis

9 To be confirmed William Osae PhD: Mining Engineering TBC TBC

10 Development of systematic support rules for undergraduate mines in Namibia

Michael Jethro PhD: Mining Engineering In progress Dr Bertie Meyer

11 Measuring the efficacy of RFID technology being integrated into existing mine operational and management systems

Sezer Uludag PhD: Mining Engineering In progress Prof William Spiteri

Table 2 Masters Research in progress, publications pending and in progress (2014 continuing 2015)

Title (M.Eng/MSc research) Name Program Status Supervisor1 An investigation into the influence of shear stress on pillar

strength - Board and pillar miningJannie Maritz M.Eng: Mining Engineering

PublicationCompletion 2015 Prof F. Malan

Prof J. Napier

2 Mechanical Rock Breaking in Hard Rock Narrow Reef Stopes

Wolter de Graaf M.Eng: Mining EngineeringPublication 2013

Completion 2016 Dr. A. LeuschnerProf William SpiteriProf R Webber-Youngman

3 Best practices for conducting an open pit conceptual study Ockert Buys M.Eng: Mining Engineering In progress Prof R Webber-Youngman4 Optimization of load and haul system for surface mining

operation using simulation and linear programmingPhumudzo Ramashau M.Eng: Mining Engineering In progress Sezer Uludag

5 Opencast coal mining integrated rehabilitation Refilwe Mabapa M.Eng: Mining Engineering In progress Brian Heyns6 Prevention of Spontaneous Combustion in raw coal

storage bunkerMervin Govender M.Sc: Applied Science :

Mining EngineeringTo be completed during 2015

Prof J du PlessisProf R Webber-YoungmanMe. S. Uludag

7 Not yet finalised Ramphele Chosi M.Sc: Applied Science : Mining Engineering

TBC

8 Not yet finalised Soobramoney Govender M.Sc: Applied Science : Mining Engineering

TBC

9 The Impact of Bushveld Complex-related Geological Structures on Hanging wall Stability and In-Stope Pillars

Aletta Hartzenberg M.Sc: Applied Science : Mining Engineering

Due to the current situation in the mining industry, Lonmin is not able to pay for my studies and I will register next year. However ,student continuing with research activities

TBC

10 Explosibility characteristics of South African coals and associated risks

Seaphi Mthombeni M.Sc: Applied Science : Mining Engineering

Prof Jan Du Plessis

2. B.Eng (Hons) Mining Enginnering and BSc (Applied Science) Mining degree projectsTable 3 shows a summary of the 2014 and Table 4 the current Honours degree applied research topics and their relevant students and supervisors. As mentioned before a further requirement for this year is that all B.Eng (Hons) mining students (as compulsory), will have to provide proof of publication with their respective supervisors, which will definitely have a major impact on the publication output of the department.

Table 3 Honours degree topics 2014

Title Last Name Name Initials Program and Plan Status1 Modelling The Impact Of Fragmentation On In-Pit Costs At Mine X* Brink D (Desiré) BEng (Hons) In progress2 Raising Funds For A Mining Feasibility Study Erasmus GB (Gert) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci Completed

3 Optimising Blast- And Dozer Gain In Order To Make Mining Of Currently Uneconomical Coal Resources Economically Viable With Specific Focus On Jicama Block D Guliwe MG (Mxolisi) BEng (Hons)

4 A Feasibility Study Into The Implementation Of Tulip Plugs At Rossing Uranium Mine Kagogo TS (Theophelus) BEng (Hons) Completed5 A Proposed Method To Develop Through Hex River Fault At Impala Mine Shaft 16# Kekana KT (Katlego) BEng (Hons) Completed6 Contractor Versus Owner Mining At United Manganese Of Kalahari Keulder K (Kobus) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci Completed7 Dilution control and hanging wall stability at Dwarsrivier Mine Kgaphola MMJ (Mabole) BEng (Hons) In progress8 The Analysis Of Stope And Development Rock Support Systems Lekgema AN (Alexia) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress9 Aard Roofbolter Versus The Auto rock Drill Machine Makua SM (Stephen) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci Completed

10 Comparing The Current Conventional Development End Drilling Methods And The Newly Proposed Mechanized Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Method At Mponeng Mine Moleko EL (Edwin) BEng (Hons) Completed

11 The Shape Effect And Rock Mass Structural Control For Mine Pillar Design Muridili DA (Dakalo) BEng (Hons) In progress12 Optimization Of Rock Blasting Design In Open Pit Mines Nearby Communities Muteba TB (Tshala) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress13 The Applicability Of The High wall Mining Method In Exxaro Coal Mines Ndaba NN (Nomfundo) BEng (Hons) In progress

14 An Investigation Into The Level Of Maturity Of Virtual Reality Education In The South African Mining Industry Neser MH (Megan) BEng (Hons) Completed

15 Psa Extension- Lost Blast Improvement Netshirando T (Tshifhiwa) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress16 Retreat Pillars Using Hydraulic Fill At Kamoto Mine Nkomba KCF (Kiwila) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress

17 An Investigation Into The Determination Of The Real Cost Of Accidents At Bhp Billiton Energy Coal South Africa (Becsa) Open-Cast Coal Mines (Planner Proposal) Preis EP (Eugene) BEng (Hons) Completed

18 The Occurrence of Fall Grounds (FOGs) at Vertical Shaft (Bokoni Platinum Mines) Peta Makaepea, Mitchelle BSc(Hons): Appl Sci Completed

19 A Literature Study On An Equipment Used For Blast Performance Assessment In A Surface Mine Operation Ramashau PE (Phumudzo) BEng (Hons) Completed

20 Slope Management At Letšeng Diamond Mine Sekata NP (Nchaeng) BEng (Hons) In progress

21 Slope Design For The South Pyroxenite Pit Using Rock Mass Classification And Kinematic Analysis At Foskor Mine, Phalaborwa Shai M (Matsie) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress

22 Performance of inlet guide vanes installed on surface fans at Gold Fields Kloof Mine. Schutte Werner BSc(Hons): Appl Sci Completed

23 A Critical Investigation Into The Buckling And Structural Integrity Of A Semi-engineered Elongate Tonkin CJ (Christopher) BEng (Hons) Completed

24 Investigation Of Re-Drilling At Middelburg Colliery Van Niekerk R (Ruaan) BEng (Hons) Completed25 Electronic Detonators In Surface Mining van Niekerk HAC (Hendrik) BEng (Hons) Completed

26 An Investigation Into The Effectiveness Of The Footwall Dust-Allaying On The Inlet Airways At Khutala Colliery van Zweel W (Wynand) BEng (Hons) In progress

From the abovementioned projects we are working on a number of potential publications for 2014. Project work related to B.Eng Honours degree students we now require a publication output as well for projects completed.

Table 4 Honours degree topics 2015

Title Last Name Name Initials Program and Plan Status1 Conveyor vs trucking trade-off Boonzaier CP (Carel) BEng (Hons) In progress

2 Benefits of a Rock on Ground service solution for opencast coal mines – and the metrics to ensure successful implementation Brink D (Desiré) BEng (Hons) In progress

3 Continuous miner super section. du Plessis LJ (Lodewikus) BEng (Hons) In progress4 Application of Augmented Reality in Mining Jacobs J (Jónatan) BEng (Hons) In progress5 Dilution control in Loulo underground mines from a drill and blast prospective Kayumba Saleh JP (Jean-Paul) BEng (Hons) In progress

6 Proposed Building Design Guidelines over Previously Undermined Areas in South Africa Louw PJ (Pierre) BEng (Hons) In progress

7 Factors influencing the success or failure of the economics and viability of small scale coal mining Mhlanga ZS (Ziyanda) BEng (Hons) In progress

8 Software development in seismic prediction Okhuis BC (Brandon) BEng (Hons) In progress

9 An Investigation Into The Determination Of The Real Cost Of Accidents At Bhp Billiton Energy Coal South Africa (Becsa) Open-Cast Coal Mines (Planner Proposal) Preis EP (Eugene) BEng (Hons) In progress

10 Middelbult Colliery Economic Valuation and Optimisation of mining the C2 seam at Block 8 Adam R (Razia) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress

11 Active Support Requirements and Possible Substitutions for the Modern mechanised shallow mining environments Couto PM (Paul) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress

12 Regional seismicity related to displacement Greeff H (Heinrich) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress13 The Opencast No.2 Seam Mining Opportunity Manenzhe DL (Dakalo) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress14 Potential mining of Lower Pseudo Reef in Anglo American Tumela Mine Matsimbi LJ (Lerato) BSc(Hons): Appl Sci In progress

15 An Investigation Into The Effectiveness Of The Footwall Dust-Allaying On The Inlet Airways At Khutala Colliery van Zweel W (Wynand) BEng (Hons) In progress

3 Journal and/or Conference proceeding Department of Mining Engineering in 2014In 2014 we had more publications compared to 2013 and the department has a full pipeline for 2015 (Example shown in Table 4 of this report). Below is a list of published papers in refereed journals and conferences for 2014. A total of six papers were published in Journals (authors highlighted) with a 4.11 departmental contribution. A total of 12 papers were presented at conferences of which 8 were submitted to the DOE (green highlight). They have a potential department contribution of 5.17 with a department combined contribution of 9.28.

Journal Papers

1. Budeba MD, Joubert JW, Webber-Youngman RCW, 2014. Modelling and determining the technical efficiency of a surface coal mine supply chain. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 114 December: pp1001 – 1008. (0.67)

2. Knobbs CG, Gerryts EW, Kagogo TS, Neser MN . 2014. The Sasol Engineering Leadership Acedemy. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 114 December: pp979 – 986. (1)

3. du Plessis JJL, Marx W, Nel C. 2014. Efficient use of energy in the ventilation and cooling of mines. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 114 December: pp. 1033 – 1037. (0.33)

4. Maritz JA. 2014. The presence of shear stresses in pillars and the effect on factor of safety in a room – and – pillar layout. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, December: pp. 1049 – 1054. (1)

5. Weber R. 2014. Arnot’s readiness to prevent a Pike River disaster. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 14 pp. 311 - 315. (1)

6. Aydan O, Ito, T, Ozbay, U, Kwasniewski, M, Shariar, K, Okuno, T, Ozgenoglu, A, Malan, DF and Okada T. 2014. ISRM suggested methods for deermining the creep characteristics of rock. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 47 pp. 275-290. (0.11)

Presented Papers at Conferences

1. Du Plessis, J.J.L and Spath H.S. Active barrier performance preventing methane explosion propagation. Proceedings of the Coal Operators Conference. 12 -14 February 2014. Wollongong. New South Wales. Australia. (0.5)

2. Budeba, M., Joubert J.W. en Webber-Youngman, R.C.W. Modelling and determining the technical efficiency of surface coal mine supply chain. Proceedings of the Society of Mining Professors Conference, June 2014.

3. Du Plessis, J.J.L., Marx, W.M. and Nell, C. 2014. Energy Efficient Ventilation and Cooling of Mines. Proceedings of the Society of Mining Professors Conference, June 2014. (0.33)

4. Du Plessis, J.J.L. and Marx, W.M. 2014. Mine ventilation system optimisation considering optimal energy, health and safety. Published in the proceedings of the 10 th International Mine Ventilation Congress, Sun City, South Africa. (0.5)

5. Knobbs, C., Gerryts, E., Kagogo, T.S. and Neser, M.H. 2014. The Sasol Engineering Leadership academy (SELA). Proceedings of the Society of Mining Professors Conference, June 2014. (1)

6. Kempson W, Webber-Youngman RCW and Meyer JP. 2014. Application of computational fluid dynamic modelling in the design of shaft systems. Published in the proceedings of the 10th International Mine Ventilation Congress, Sun City, South Africa. (0.33)

7. Maritz, J.A. 2014. The presence of shear stresses in pillars and the effect on factor of safety in a room and pillar layout. Proceedings of the SOMP Conference, June 2014.

8. Maritz, J.A. 2014. Shear stresses in pillars and the effect on factor of safety in room-and-pillar layout. 6th SARES 2014: Creating value through innovative rock engineering, SA

9. Du Plessis, M. and Malan D.F. 2014 Designing controlled pillar failure – crush pillar support. 6th International Platinum Conference. South Africa. (1)

10. Du Plessis, M. and Malan D.F. 2014. Evaluation of pillar width on crush pillar behaviour using a limit equilibrium solution. EUROCK 2014 – Structures in and on Rock Masses. Spain (1)

11. Napier, JAL and Malan D.F., 2014. A simplified model of local fracture processes to investigate the structural stability and design of large scale tabular mine layouts. ARMA, 48Th us Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. USA. (1)

12. Napier JAL and Pierce A. 2014. Interaction of multiple fluid-driven fractures with pre-existing discontinuities. ARMA, 48Th us Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. USA. (0.5)

4 Publication of a Textbook

Du Plessis, J.J.L. Editor, Mine Ventilation and Occupational Environment Engineering, published in August 2014. This textbook consists of 45 Chapters authored by National and International Experts. Author and Co- Author of nine Chapters listed below:

Chapter 1 - Fundamentals of Fluid Flow by V.A.L. Chasteau and Prof. J.J.L. du PlessisChapter 2 - Thermodynamic Aspects of Mine Airflow by R. Hemp and Prof. J.J.L. du PlessisChapter 7 - Basic fan engineering by J.H. De La Harpe, Ed Chessor, and Prof. J.J.L. du PlessisChapter 12 - The Properties and Effects of Dust by Prof J.J.L. du Plessis and Dr. B. K. Belle

Chapter 13 - Occupational Exposure Limits for Airborne Pollutants by D.W. Stanton, Prof. J.J.L. du Plessis and Dr B.K. Belle

Chapter 14 - Sampling of Airborne Dust and Diesel Particulates by Prof. J.J.L. du Plessis and Dr B.K. Belle

Chapter 15 - Methods of Dust Control by Prof. J.J.L. du Plessis, Dr B.K. Belle and K. Dekker

Chapter 25 - Chilled water Reticulation by R.M. Stroh, R. Ramsden and Prof. R.C.W. Webber-YoungmanChapter 26 - Gases Encountered in Mines by Prof. J.J.L. du Plessis and K Beukes

Chapter 28 - Explosible Dusts and Mine Explosion Prevention by Prof .J.J.L. du Plessis, Prof. H.R. Phillips, Dr B.K. Belle and Prof. K Lebecki

Chapter 33 - Mine Ventilation Economics by M.J. Howes, R.C. W. Webber-Youngman & J. Janse van Rensburg

Chapter 35 - Water Management in Mining by Prof. R.C.W. Webber-Youngman.

5 Publication outlook - 2015

The outlook for 2015 is indicating a very healthy pipeline of publications with 13 Journal papers in the pipeline and 15 Conference papers planned at the end of March 2015. The challenge to identify suitable, high impact Journals within the Mining Research area remains a considerable challenge.

To date the following papers have already been published or presented:

Published Journal Paper1. Hooman, M., Webber-Youngman, R.C.W., du Plessis, J.J.L. and Marx W.M. 2015. A

decision analysis guideline for underground bulk air heat exchanger design specification. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (date TBA)

Published Conference Papers1. Belle, B.K. and Foulstone, A. 2015. Explosion prevention in coal mine TBM drifts – an

operational Knowledge share. Coal Operators Conference, Australia.2. Dylan Wedel, Bharath Belle and Mehmet Siddik Kizil. 2015. The effectiveness of rapid

stone dust compliance testing in underground coal mines. Coal Operators Conference, Australia.

Table 5 Publications outlook 2015