4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions

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Key block theory for the miner: a novel simplified method for determining block removability
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Van Rooyen , Christiaan; Stacey, T.R.
Rock falls driven by gravity cause the most injuries and deaths in the South African underground mines. Discontinuities such as joints define most rocks that are free to fall. Key block theory describes how to decide if a rock defined by joints can move into an excavated space. Key block analysis requires complex calculations and many iterations to reach such a decision. The complexity of applying key block theory restricts its routine use. Although there are several methods that address some of the shortcomings of key block theory, none address the complexity of its underlying calculations. The main drive of this research project was to find a method to judge rock block removability that is simple enough to enable the routine application of key block theory in mining. The new gravitational removability theorem described in this report satisfied the need for simplicity. A comparison between the gravitational removability method and the edge vector method on many generated blocks yielded a fair correlation in terms of removability, but less so in terms of non-removability. The definition and application of a set of calibrating geometric conditions in conjunction with the gravitational removability method resulted in a perfect accounting of all the synthetic blocks. The gravitational removability method proved effective in identifying rotational removability as well. This research report presents the new gravitational removability theorem, equations to calculate the gravitational removability number and a set of geometric conditions that allows the judgement of removability of a block with no, or minimal calculation.
A critical investigation into the creation of special economic zones in South African mining areas
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Phambane, Maureen; Leeuw, Paseka
The Bushveld Complex (BC) hosts the largest known deposits of platinum group metals (PGM) bearing ore in the world, divided into the Eastern Limb, Western Limb and Northern Limb. The three largest PGM producers include Sibanye Stillwater, Impala Platinum and Anglo-American Platinum and they have operations spread around the BC. With this endowment, the opportunity exists for South Africa to not only be just a producer country and exporter of the PGM but also be involved in several secondary and tertiary PGM activities by establishing business clusters around mining areas. The objectives of this research study were to assess the nature of the local Special Economic Zones (SEZ) landscape, including a detailed overview of the Bojanala and Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZs on the western and eastern limbs respectively, and to develop a viability matrix to assess which of the two SEZs, namely Bojanala and Fetakgomo-Tubatse, is likely to succeed based on the socio-economic profile, sector analysis, education level and spatial linkages. The research sought to answer whether the Special Economic Zone model implemented in South Africa is adequate to enable successful SEZ operation in the BC and whether the current spatial linkages in the BC are sufficient to support the existence of a PGM SEZ. The research design is a case study, and the qualitative research methodology was chosen as the most appropriate. The data used involved desktop study from research papers, books, journal articles, conference papers, documents from government agencies, websites, annual reports, news articles, web blogs and published statistics from research organisations. A thematic analysis was used to interpret the literature reviews, case studies, and other secondary data cited in the study. The results indicated that the Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ has a high viable potential to succeed as an SEZ because it scored higher in the viability matrix, even though it scored lower on the spatial linkages and sector analysis. The likelihood of success of the Fetakgomo-Tubatse SEZ over the Bojanala SEZ was mainly driven by the value proposition offered and the regional education level assessment where it was found that the Fetakgomo-Tubatse municipality has a bigger population size and a larger iii [OFFICIAL][OFFICIAL] number of people with matric (30% of the population) and post-matric (4% of the population) qualifications. That is, it is likely to provide local labour with the qualifications and skills required in the SEZ. Furthermore, both SEZs have been successful in acquiring funding from companies that want to locate in the zones, so it could be argued that both of them will be in a position to promote business clustering in the area if the right ingredients such as government intervention, presence of small and medium enterprise, and integration of internal and external markets are in place. The study further supports the view that industrial policies have a role to play in changing and addressing market failures to encourage economic growth. However, these development efforts need to be based on the assessment of the implementation landscape of the SEZ to ensure its success. Lastly, it is acknowledged that the robustness of this study could be improved by conducting interviews with SEZ operators in South Africa, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition SEZ Lead, North West Development Corporation (NWDC) and Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA). The NWDC and LEDA are development agencies tasked with the development of the Bojalana and Fetakgomo- Tubatse SEZs respectively. Insights could also be gained by focusing on group discussions and interviewing community leaders, business forums, and traditional leaders in affected regions.
Analysing the progress of skills development necessary for mineral beneficiation in the gold mining industry: a case study of harmony gold’s Moab khotsong mine
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nengwenani, Shumani Maemu; Mtegha, H.
The mining industry of South Africa is a cornerstone of the country’s economy, having contributed over 8% to the national gross domestic product in 2022. The mining industry has been responsible for major economic growth and job creation due to its mineral resource abundance. However, the socio-economic impact of this industry on communities has fallen short of expectations. The objective of the South African beneficiation strategy is to transform the country’s mineral wealth into competitive economic advantage through the promotion of economic diversification, industrialization, and job creation. The aim of this research is to determine progress made by the mining sector in skills training and development necessary for local mineral beneficiation, particularly in the gold mining industry. This is training provided through the achievement of formal qualifications such as a National Certificate in Jewellery Manufacturing, a Diploma in Jewellery design and Manufacture, as well as through the accumulation of skills such as jewellery processing, wax carving for jewellery, die stamping for jewellery, industrial design for jewellery, and jewellery evaluation. The reaserch also includes a critical reviews the company’s training initiatives within the context of the beneficiation skills pipeline, the National Skills Development Strategy, and the sector skills plan, which are all key elements of the National Growth Plan and the relevant Sector and Training Authorities. Harmony Gold company has shown commitment to socio-economic objectives through the implementation of numerous beneficiation projects, such as the Musuku Beneficiation Systems, the Harmony Jewellery School, the Oro-Maska Project, and the SARM project. While these initiations did not have long-term success, they indicate the company’s willingness to play a role in promoting skills transfer and in mineral beneficiation. The short-term success of these initiatives also highlights the complexities involved, underlining the need for proper planning, proper resource allocation, as well as the need for constant and consistent stakeholder engagement. A significant finding of this research is the identification of a skills gap, especially in areas crucial for mineral beneficiation. Despite existing efforts and policy frameworks like the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998, the remains a need for more targeted training and skills development programs. The existing skills gap must be addressed to maximize the mining sector’s contribution to national development objectives.
Geostatistical Modelling of Floor and Roof Hazard Data in the Highveld Coalfield – A New Denmark Colliery Case Study
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Hall, Quintin
New Denmark Colliery (NDC) is an underground coal mine located between Standerton and Bethal in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Due to the nature of the coal seam and the mining method in the research study area, mining operations are in constant contact with floor and roof lithologies which introduce operational challenges. To mitigate these challenges floor and roof hazard plans are used for operational planning purposes. Existing floor and roof hazard plans are deficient of both sound theoretical and procedural formality in their construction. This lack of formality in the hazard modelling was most concerning. The research establishes a methodology for the generation of meaningful floor and roof hazard plans from empirical and theoretical applications to both interpreted and measured variables relevant to the floor and roof hazards encountered. This methodology; developed for easy operational implementation, is supported by a formal system of procedures that allow for continuous updating, validation and monitoring. The quantitative and qualitative hazard data available in the study area required bridging. For this, the author introduces the concept of applying scorecards to the hybrid data and develops the scoring logic to convert the hybrid hazard information to numeric values, usable in quantitative analyses. The estimation software in place at NDC is limited to inverse distance weighting (IDW). The research therefore sought to determine whether the application of this classical technique would suffice for the creation of hazard plans. IDW, ordinary kriging and conditional sequential Gaussian simulation were applied to measured structural variables. The estimation results were visually compared. This would then confirm the suitability of applying IDW to the research data. The research takes a turn when the hazard scorecard numbers become the focus of the research as opposed to the structural variables. Floor and Roof hazard scores are individually classified, respectively representing either iv “competent”, “moderately competent” or “incompetent” floor conditions and “normal”,” cautionary” or “high risk” roof conditions. An innovative method of defining hazard indicators sets is introduced. IDW estimation is applied to each hazard indicator set. Results are interpreted, and inflection points on the slopes of the cumulative distribution plots of the estimates are used to identify cut-off values to clearly distinguish the hazard conditions mentioned. Resulting in updated Floor Hazard and Roof Hazard Plans for NDC aligned to a formal analytical process and estimation methodology. With this in place, the research goals were accomplished through the construction and validation of reliable and easily implementable floor and roof hazard plans. Procedures for applying hazard scorecards to newly drilled boreholes and for updating the hazard models appear in the Appendices.
Quantification of the benefits of pumpable emulsion explosives in narrow reef gold mines
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Chosi, Ramphele Lordwick
Pumpable emulsion explosives usage is gaining ground in South African underground narrow reef mining following its wide application on the surface and underground massive mining. Following the advancement in the narrow reef, this research sought to quantify the benefits of pumpable emulsion explosives in narrow reef stopes of gold mines under non-trial conditions on three key performance areas (KPA) of cost of explosives, blasting efficiency and post-blast conditions. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches where historical and primary data was collected at the identified underground shafts of Ya Rona and Hlanganani. Historical data included planned targets and achieved results before and after the introduction of pumpable emulsion explosives at the shafts. The primary data was gathered through a total of 33 underground observations at the two shafts. The analysis of three KPAs was done through corresponding KPIs of explosives cost, face advance, powder factor, fragmentation distribution, and hangingwall overbreak. The cost of explosives KPA analysis indicated that pumpable emulsion was cost-effective when compared to cartridge explosives and the planned target. The blasting efficiency KPA was analysed through three KPIs, namely, face advance, powder factor, and fragmentation. The primary data analysis showed that the pumpable emulsion explosives were capable of achieving the mine’s required face advance at both shafts, and the historical data analysis showed that pumpable emulsion explosives performed better at the Ya Rona shaft and poorly at the Hlanganani shaft. The pumpable emulsion explosives powder factor calculated iii from the underground measurements can be lower or higher than the corresponding planned powder factor due to in-situ site conditions. Blast fragmentation analysed images showed that pumpable emulsion explosives can achieve the mine expected range fragmentation size or be below as indicated by the two image analysis programmes used and the Kuz-Ram estimation. Post-blast conditions were analysed using the hangingwall overbreak which cautiously showed that emulsion explosives have the potential to negatively impact the panel's post-blast condition due to non-adherence to the blast design parameters and the influence of the geological conditions. The research KPAs of cost of explosives, blasting efficiency and post blast conditions through the respective KPIs have indicated that emulsion explosives could achieve blast outcomes that were within the mine target. The analysis of the cost of explosives, face advance and powder factor KPIs conclusively showed the positive outcome pumpable emulsion explosives could have in narrow reef mines; though the powder factor showed dependence on other factors. The analysis of hangingwall overbreak KPI revealed a possible negative impact, while the analysis of the fragmentation KPI yielded an inconclusive outcome. Based on the results, the study proved the effectiveness of pumpable emulsion in narrow reef stope mining under non-trial operational conditions. It also quantified the benefits of pumpable emulsion explosives in narrow reef gold mines. Notwithstanding, it is recommended that further research on fragmentation analysis using different analysis methods and more research on the extent of the hangingwall damage when pumpable emulsion explosives are used should be conducted.
Women in Construction: Retention of Professional Female Talent within the Construction Industry in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Sangweni, Nondumiso Zamangwane; Ozumba, Obinna
Professional women in the construction industry, still face challenges that hinder their long term stay in the industry, despite necessary knowledge, skills, competencies, training, and work experience. Most studies in this area look at identified barriers and challenges of professional females within the industry, with little or no specific suggestions for female talent retention. Recruiting and retaining workers from underrepresented groups remains a challenge for the construction industry. This research seeks to identify organizational factors that influence women's decisions to remain in the construction industry and to devise a strategy for increasing human capital in this industry. To achieve the objectives of the research, this study utilized a mixed methods approach. Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams with 15 leading women working within the various roles in the Built Environment & this data was analyzed via content analysis. And a total of 180 structured questionnaires were distributed to construction professionals. A total of 148 completed questionnaires were returned, representing 82% return rate. SPSS was used to analyze quantitative date data, which included tests such as frequencies, percentages, mean score, and factor analysis. The study's findings indicate that career development variables, such as management policy and organizational policy, together with human resources considerations, play a significant role in effectively promoting the retention of female professional talent within the construction industry in South Africa. While discrimination and patriarchy in society negatively affect employee retention. This study adds to the understanding of HR professionals, line managers, and organizational leaders about retention challenges and effective retention strategies for top and middle-level managers in the construction industry. While the Female Talent Retention framework (FTRF) addresses the context of South Africa, it can be used as a theoretical foundation for future research on women's retention in the construction industry. The study also suggests policymakers in the construction industry take note of its findings and recommendations. South Africa is a developing country that requires long-term sustainable in both technology and human resources.
Intrinsic Valuation of REITs
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Manda, Tamala Amelia
This thesis investigates, models and presents the financial health and financial positions of the South African real estate investment trusts (from here, REITs). In order to address that investigation, this thesis is anchored on three essays-(i) dynamic cash flows, (ii) bankruptcy prediction and (iii) smart betas. The first study (i.e. chapter 3) uses different discounted cash flows (DFCs, hereafter) to determine values of REITs and those DCFs are anchored by the organisational capital structure. The second study (i.e. chapter 4) is shaped on Altman (1968) for predicting bankruptcy. Altman (1968) is one of the earliest studies that explored corporate bankruptcy. The third study (i.e. chapter 5) presents smart beta strategies, based on qualitative and quantitative betas. The first study confirms that the value of REITs, as measured by DCFs, is sensitive to the capital structure. The second study illustrates that bankruptcy is well accounted for, when using probabilistic and multilinear models. Notably, the second study accurately predicted the default of the Rebosis Property Fund in 2022 based on 2014-2018 time series, using different selected macroeconomic variables. A 5-year accurate prediction in any sector of capital markets is unheard of! The third study exemplifies that qualitative betas better measure the quality of management, while quantitative betas appropriately detect financial health and financial position of REITs. The implications of this study are as follows. First, depending on the type-funding injected by investors, appropriate DCF valuation should be used to illustrate values, in particular, market values. Second, REITs, just like any other firms, are prone to bankruptcy, partly because the large portion of net profits are distributed to unitholders as dividends at the end of financial years. The funds from operations (FFOs), a widely acceptable REIT performance measure, equally, predict bankruptcy of these firms. Third, quantitative and qualitative betas should be used jointly in determining whether a REIT firm is investable or not.
The Significance of Livelihood Strategies in Addressing Poverty in Mixed Income Housing Developments: A Study of Lufhereng Integrated Development, Soweto
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Makhene, Maswabi Daniel; Ijasan, Kola
This study examines the Lufhereng Integrated Housing Development project and focusses on poverty alleviation and community well-being, by using existing livelihood strategies. Criticisms levied against Mega Projects prompted questions about the sustainability of Lufhereng as a human settlement. The researcher employed a mixed- method approach to gather data from Lufhereng residents and the Re tlo sebetsa project manager. Findings include a lack of essential facilities and services, limited employment opportunities and a decline in household incomes. The study highlights significant poverty alleviation, with affordable housing and livelihood strategies, increased job prospects, and local business growth. Livelihood enhancement initiatives include skills development and entrepreneurship programmes. Challenges include resource allocation, economic inequalities, infrastructure development and resource optimization. Addressing these challenges, fostering inclusivity and community engagement, will maximise the project's potential. Holistic approaches that encompass housing, livelihood strategies, infrastructure, education, and healthcare are recommended.
[T]read Between the Lines Unraveling and Upskilling Hidden Communities in Orange Grove and Norwood
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Moshe, Khumo; Francis, Liale
This research explores the historical tension and socio-economic differences between Orange Grove and Norwood, which are neighbouring suburbs characterized by a diverse culture and a mixed-income profile. These tensions lie between and along major arterial nodes Louis Botha Avenue and Grant Avenue, which serve communities. Louis Botha Avenue is a transit route and Grant Avenue, is a local retail high street. The study investigates the potential of Patterson Park, located between Louis Botha and Grant Avenue, as a mediating space for these neighbourhoods. The park offers the opportunity for connection between these neighbourhoods through urban principles that create safe and comfortable public connections. The proposed intervention neighbours Paterson Park and is driven by the imitiate human interactions. It aims to establish a maker’s guild and trade training centre, providing opportunities and possibilities for marginalized individuals, local entrepreneurs, businesses, and the community. The facility will impart essential urban principles for successful neighbourhoods and emphasize the significance of public art, craft in construction, along with facilitating better contractor-client relationships.
Essays on Agricultural Finance, Financial Development, and Economic Growth in Nigeria
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ayodele, Ademola Emmanuel; Tweneboah, George
This study examines essays on agricultural finance, financial development and growth in Nigeria. It focuses on investigating the individual and joint effects of agriculture finance and financial development indicators on growth. Also, the research computed the threshold of agricultural finance at which financial development indicators optimizes inclusive growth in Nigeria. To achieve these research objectives, we adopted both the Endogenous growth and Solow-Swan theoretical foundation; and employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) techniques. The study utilized time series data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) covering 1980 to 2022. The results reveals that agriculture finance exerted significant negative impact on economic growth in the short-run; however, the long-run impact of agriculture finance on economic growth is positive. Also, it was observed from that financial development indicators (bank deposit, credit to private sector and market capitalization) have positive impact on economic growth. Although, bank deposits exerted negative impact on agricultural output growth, credit to private sector and market capitalization impacted positively on agricultural output growth. Furthermore, it was observed from the QARDL results that positive links exist between agriculture finance, financial development indicators and inclusive growth in the short-run. Also, the interactive effects of agriculture finance and financial development indicators on inclusive growth were positive in the short and long-run periods. Lastly, the threshold effects of agricultural finance suggest an optimal level that maximizes inclusive growth, indicating policymakers should consider an 11% to 14% allocation of GDP per employed person to the agricultural sector. Therefore, the study recommends as key access to agricultural credit, as well as ensuring proper monitoring to boost growth in Nigeria. Importantly, credit to the agricultural sector should be kept within the established threshold level, since agricultural finance might exert some adverse effects on inclusive growth when it exceeds the established threshold levels.

4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions

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