3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item A critical analysis of how Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) can help to secure a sustainable future for post-mining towns in South Africa through new models of architectural practices, to promote the renewal of architecture as a means of creating new realities and being drivers of sustainable change(2018) Harrison, Peter CarletonThis thesis aims to understand the role that Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) can play in the renewal of architectural firms in creating new realities and how these firms can once again become drivers of social change. Kathu (Northern Cape), a steel mining town, is facing the reality that it will have to survive without a mining house and the community funding that results from its operations soon. There are three IPP’s within a 50km radius of Kathu. Under the current funding structure all 3 IPP’s have to contribute to socio-economic development (SED) and enterprise development (ED) within Kathu. According to the Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (IPPP’s), IPP’s are required to provide 1% of gross turnover to community funds for SED and ED development programmes. Where this funding differs from funding obtained from mining houses is that renewable energy is effectively limitless. Despite IPP’s having a projected lifespan of 20 years they will continue to be redeveloped and upgraded. These upgrades will allow for longevity of revenue, which in turn allows for sustained support for the communities surrounding them. Funding structures that are being used to disseminate mining house funds to the communities are suffering from governance issues. This means that the communities do not receive the most effective or necessary forms of development. Through a new typology of architectural practice, the way these funds are managed and utilised can create better environments for those communities. This new typology of architectural firm must move away from the corporate and profit driven nature of modern architectural firms and more towards a ‘Rural Studio’ model. This is where the primary focus is on the community and how to best serve the needs of the people. In doing so SED projects would be more effective in bringing about social change, creating new realities for communities and drivers of sustainability in post-mining towns in South Africa.Item Economic evaluation of bamboo cultivation and potential yield on rehabilitated mine sites(2017) Mothapo, Makgamatho GodfreyAbandoned mines in South Africa have created a series of environmental legacies around the mining community in the form of health hazard (air pollution), land degradation and illegal mining activities. The biggest mine environmental legacy that is being addressed today in South Africa is that of abandoned mines, particularly asbestos and the process of cleaning up asbestos mining dumps in South Africa as implemented by Mintek (state owned mineral processing and metallaurgical research instistute)on behalf of Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and this form the main basis of this research study. The history of abandoned mines, particularly asbestos mining, is that the mining peaked and took place during the time when there were no environmental regulations forcing mining companies to take control of their waste. The only legislation was the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act No.45 of 1965). The Mineral Act, which regulated most of the mining activity in South Africa was promulgated in 1991 and was enacted as Act No.50 in 1991. Apart from the environmental challenges, these mines are located in rural areas with high unemployment levels and poor infrastructure, and therefore all solutions would require these matter to be addressed as well. This study was based on a literature review involving bamboo as a potential vegetation cover to be grown on abandoned mineland both for rehabilitation and with intention to harvest it for energy use. This would hope to address some of the socioeconomic issues within the communities surrounding such abandoned asbestos mines. Penge area in the Limpopo Province is proposed as the site for a pilot study for such bamboo cultivation. Bamboos are a large group of rapidly growing woody grasses, mainly found in the IndoChina regions of the world that can be sustainably managed in short-cycle harvesting schemes. They offer many benefits like erosion control, architectural properties for rural construction activities and can be used as biomass feedstock for the bioenergy economy. The results of this study indicate that it is possible to grow bamboo in the Penge based on its physio-climatic conditions. The literature review proposes , Bambusa balcooa, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus strictus and Phyllostachys edulis as suitable bamboo species for the region. Based on rudimetary simple evaluation model the area will produce 14 tonnes/ha/year of biomass in the 5th year of harvesting, increasing to and stabilizing to 47 tonnes /ha/year in the 7th year and it has proven economically feasible to proudce energy from the amount of feedstock generated.