A hydrogeological investigation of the Grootegeluk mine
- Authors: Johnstone, Andrew Clifford
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Hydrogeology -- South Africa Coal mines and mining -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001895
- Description: The study concerns an assessment of the hydrogeological impact of an open cast coal mine in the North Western Transvaal Province of South Africa. The hydrogeological impact of the mine is assessed in terms of groundwater quality and levels. A monitoring system was installed to enable the present and future impact of mining operations on the hydrogeological regime to be assessed. Grootegeluk Mine is situated in the Waterberg Coal Field of South Africa and began production in 1980. The mine extracts fifteen million tons of mine material annually from a single open pit. Forty percent of the mined material is saleable product and the remaining sixty percent is stacked on discard dumps. The Daarby fault forms the northern boundary of the open pit and serves to bring the younger Letaba and Clarens Formations into contact with the older Beaufort and Ecca Groups. The mine discards are deposited north of the fault on a different hydrogeological environment from which they are mined. Dewatering of the mine open pit has resulted in a steady decline in water levels in the Ecca Group, south of the Daarby fault. In contrast, water levels north of the Daarby fault in the Letaba and Clarens Formations have risen. The short term hydrochemical impact of the mine discard dumps and slimes dams have resulted in a rise in the calcium, sulphate, chloride, fluoride and nitrate concentrations of the ambient groundwater . The longer term hydrochemical impact from the waste dumps, acid mine drainage, is not evident at present in the groundwater below the waste dumps. However, it is expected to manifest itself during the next ten years. A monitoring system was installed at the mine to allow groundwater levels and quality to be monitored. By measuring groundwater quality and levels the impact of the mine on the regional hydrogeology can be monitored and assessed presently, and during the next forty years of production. Monitoring will also enable the timeous implementation of remedial measures at an early stage and eliminate the need for large late stage "clean up" operations. Future monitoring of both water levels and quality will be crucial in evaluating the mine's impact on the regional groundwater regimes over the next forty years of production. The remedial measures recommended for leachate presently emanating from the waste dumps and slimes dams north of the Daarby fault, are a number of collector wells drilled into the basalts and sandstone north of the Daarby fault. The proposed positions of the wells (boreholes) are as close as possible to the dumps and slimes dams with expansion taken into consideration. The boreholes should be designed to lower the water level in the vicinity of the dumps in order to create a nett groundwater gradient towards the dumps and as a result, halt the spread of leachate away from the dumps. Grootegeluk plans to backfill the open pit with plant discards on completion of the mining of zone 2. The backfilled material will consist of the currently produced plant waste and will be covered with overburden and topsoil. It is expected that the backfilling will have a major impact on groundwater quantity if no remedial measures are implemented. The two remedial measures discussed are chemical treatment of the discard material before backfilling or the continual abstraction of water from the pit resulting in a nett groundwater inflow into the pit. No material from the present waste dumps and slimes dams will be transported into the open pit as backfill material
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: Johnstone, Andrew Clifford
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Hydrogeology -- South Africa Coal mines and mining -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001895
- Description: The study concerns an assessment of the hydrogeological impact of an open cast coal mine in the North Western Transvaal Province of South Africa. The hydrogeological impact of the mine is assessed in terms of groundwater quality and levels. A monitoring system was installed to enable the present and future impact of mining operations on the hydrogeological regime to be assessed. Grootegeluk Mine is situated in the Waterberg Coal Field of South Africa and began production in 1980. The mine extracts fifteen million tons of mine material annually from a single open pit. Forty percent of the mined material is saleable product and the remaining sixty percent is stacked on discard dumps. The Daarby fault forms the northern boundary of the open pit and serves to bring the younger Letaba and Clarens Formations into contact with the older Beaufort and Ecca Groups. The mine discards are deposited north of the fault on a different hydrogeological environment from which they are mined. Dewatering of the mine open pit has resulted in a steady decline in water levels in the Ecca Group, south of the Daarby fault. In contrast, water levels north of the Daarby fault in the Letaba and Clarens Formations have risen. The short term hydrochemical impact of the mine discard dumps and slimes dams have resulted in a rise in the calcium, sulphate, chloride, fluoride and nitrate concentrations of the ambient groundwater . The longer term hydrochemical impact from the waste dumps, acid mine drainage, is not evident at present in the groundwater below the waste dumps. However, it is expected to manifest itself during the next ten years. A monitoring system was installed at the mine to allow groundwater levels and quality to be monitored. By measuring groundwater quality and levels the impact of the mine on the regional hydrogeology can be monitored and assessed presently, and during the next forty years of production. Monitoring will also enable the timeous implementation of remedial measures at an early stage and eliminate the need for large late stage "clean up" operations. Future monitoring of both water levels and quality will be crucial in evaluating the mine's impact on the regional groundwater regimes over the next forty years of production. The remedial measures recommended for leachate presently emanating from the waste dumps and slimes dams north of the Daarby fault, are a number of collector wells drilled into the basalts and sandstone north of the Daarby fault. The proposed positions of the wells (boreholes) are as close as possible to the dumps and slimes dams with expansion taken into consideration. The boreholes should be designed to lower the water level in the vicinity of the dumps in order to create a nett groundwater gradient towards the dumps and as a result, halt the spread of leachate away from the dumps. Grootegeluk plans to backfill the open pit with plant discards on completion of the mining of zone 2. The backfilled material will consist of the currently produced plant waste and will be covered with overburden and topsoil. It is expected that the backfilling will have a major impact on groundwater quantity if no remedial measures are implemented. The two remedial measures discussed are chemical treatment of the discard material before backfilling or the continual abstraction of water from the pit resulting in a nett groundwater inflow into the pit. No material from the present waste dumps and slimes dams will be transported into the open pit as backfill material
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
Assessment of factors influencing the quality of surface and ground water in the Hout Bay river catchment
- Authors: Pearce, Meryl Winsome
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Water -- South Africa -- Hout Bay Hydrology Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Hout Bay Water quality -- South Africa -- Hout Bay Aquatic ecology Water quality Hout Bay river (South Africa) Groundwater -- South Africa -- Hout Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001900
- Description: An investigation into the quality of surface water and ground water was conducted during 1988 in the 38,8 km² Hout Bay River catchment near Cape Town. The main objective of the study was to determine those areas and activities which constitute a pollution source and to ascertain the relative proportion which each contributes to the pollution problem and health risk of the surf zone of the beach at Hout Ba . The objective was achieved by monitoring the chemical and microbiological attributes of the Hout Bay River, its tributaries and stormdrains in wet and dry conditions on a routine basis and during storm events. Hout Bay is a rapidly developing residential area in which sewage disposal occurs by means of septic tank soakaway systems. Ground water quality was monitored to investigate the contribution to contamination by septic tank effluent. Results showed that stormdrain effluent in dry and wet conditions and surface runoff during rainfall were the main vectors of pollution. Although the pollution concentration was high during dry conditions the greatest pollution discharge to the surf zone of Hout Bay occurred during storm events. In view of the proposed residential development it is imperative that pollution control measures be undertaken so as to secure the future recreational and aesthetic value of Hout Bay
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
- Authors: Pearce, Meryl Winsome
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Water -- South Africa -- Hout Bay Hydrology Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Hout Bay Water quality -- South Africa -- Hout Bay Aquatic ecology Water quality Hout Bay river (South Africa) Groundwater -- South Africa -- Hout Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4800 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001900
- Description: An investigation into the quality of surface water and ground water was conducted during 1988 in the 38,8 km² Hout Bay River catchment near Cape Town. The main objective of the study was to determine those areas and activities which constitute a pollution source and to ascertain the relative proportion which each contributes to the pollution problem and health risk of the surf zone of the beach at Hout Ba . The objective was achieved by monitoring the chemical and microbiological attributes of the Hout Bay River, its tributaries and stormdrains in wet and dry conditions on a routine basis and during storm events. Hout Bay is a rapidly developing residential area in which sewage disposal occurs by means of septic tank soakaway systems. Ground water quality was monitored to investigate the contribution to contamination by septic tank effluent. Results showed that stormdrain effluent in dry and wet conditions and surface runoff during rainfall were the main vectors of pollution. Although the pollution concentration was high during dry conditions the greatest pollution discharge to the surf zone of Hout Bay occurred during storm events. In view of the proposed residential development it is imperative that pollution control measures be undertaken so as to secure the future recreational and aesthetic value of Hout Bay
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1989
The hydrogeology of a Karoo basalt/sandstone contact aquifer moretele II district Republic of Bophuthatswana southern Africa
- Authors: Martinelli, Giorgio Luigi
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Basalt -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Sandstone -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Aquifers -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Hydrogeology -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001902
- Description: As part of a development programme in the Moretele II District, the Government of the Republic of Bophuthatswana, commissioned in 1983 the building of a dry system coal-fired power station. The lack of local surface water to cool the power station resulted in a decision to investigate the potential of the ground water resources. The resources will be required to supply an anticipated 30 year water demand. Because of the high capital investment and the importance of establishing an accurate assessement of the ground water potential there was a need for a comprehensive and detailed hydrogeological study. The specific aim of the investigation is to assess and quantify the long term reliability of the ground water resources. The very limited data for the area necessitated a particularly thorough and detailed investigation. This thesis describes the hydrogeological investigation carried out to define the ground water resource potential of this area. The main objectives of the study are to identify, recognize and evaluate the hydrogeological processes operating on this previously ill-defined Karoo aquifer. To achieve the research objectives the hydrogeological investigation was formulated to make use of various traditional geological, hydrogeological, geophysical and hydrochemical techniques in a logical framework. More specifically, the work involved a hydrocensus, a geophysical survey, the drilling of exploratory boreholes, aquifer tests to determine the intrinsic hydraulic parameters, water level measurements and the collection and analysis of water samples. The combined results of these various techniques provided data to quantify, evaluate and then propose management strategies for the identified resources. The study provided an understanding of the local hydrogeological conditions and has allowed for a conceptual model of the aquifer system to be derived
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
- Authors: Martinelli, Giorgio Luigi
- Date: 1988
- Subjects: Basalt -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Sandstone -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Aquifers -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana Hydrogeology -- South Africa -- Bophuthatswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001902
- Description: As part of a development programme in the Moretele II District, the Government of the Republic of Bophuthatswana, commissioned in 1983 the building of a dry system coal-fired power station. The lack of local surface water to cool the power station resulted in a decision to investigate the potential of the ground water resources. The resources will be required to supply an anticipated 30 year water demand. Because of the high capital investment and the importance of establishing an accurate assessement of the ground water potential there was a need for a comprehensive and detailed hydrogeological study. The specific aim of the investigation is to assess and quantify the long term reliability of the ground water resources. The very limited data for the area necessitated a particularly thorough and detailed investigation. This thesis describes the hydrogeological investigation carried out to define the ground water resource potential of this area. The main objectives of the study are to identify, recognize and evaluate the hydrogeological processes operating on this previously ill-defined Karoo aquifer. To achieve the research objectives the hydrogeological investigation was formulated to make use of various traditional geological, hydrogeological, geophysical and hydrochemical techniques in a logical framework. More specifically, the work involved a hydrocensus, a geophysical survey, the drilling of exploratory boreholes, aquifer tests to determine the intrinsic hydraulic parameters, water level measurements and the collection and analysis of water samples. The combined results of these various techniques provided data to quantify, evaluate and then propose management strategies for the identified resources. The study provided an understanding of the local hydrogeological conditions and has allowed for a conceptual model of the aquifer system to be derived
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1988
A geohydrological evaluation of the coastal area between Bushmans River Mouth and Cape Mouth and Cape Padrone, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Jolly, J L
- Date: 1984 , 2013-03-15
- Subjects: Hydrogeology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005635 , Hydrogeology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
- Authors: Jolly, J L
- Date: 1984 , 2013-03-15
- Subjects: Hydrogeology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4859 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005635 , Hydrogeology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Coastal ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1984
An examination of the spatial variation of surficial sediment characteristics in the Howison's Poort Reservoir
- Authors: Weaver, Alex van Breda
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Howison's Poort Reservoir , South Africa , Sedimentation and deposition
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001890
- Description: From Introduction: Lakes, estuaries and man-made water impoundments can be considered as intervening basins which provide for the temporary storage both of sediment and of water. Because of the potential energy of soil in elevated positions and because of the kinetic energy of water flowing under the influence of gravity, eroded material is eventually transported to the lowest possible level, i.e. the ocean deeps, or some intervening basin. This denudation process may be compared with Newton’s second law of thermodynamics which states that each system tends to move in the direction of lowest energy. Sedimentation in intervening basins may be seen as part of the natural process of landscape evolution. The rates at which sedimentation occurs may be strongly influenced by the activities of man.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
- Authors: Weaver, Alex van Breda
- Date: 1979
- Subjects: Howison's Poort Reservoir , South Africa , Sedimentation and deposition
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001890
- Description: From Introduction: Lakes, estuaries and man-made water impoundments can be considered as intervening basins which provide for the temporary storage both of sediment and of water. Because of the potential energy of soil in elevated positions and because of the kinetic energy of water flowing under the influence of gravity, eroded material is eventually transported to the lowest possible level, i.e. the ocean deeps, or some intervening basin. This denudation process may be compared with Newton’s second law of thermodynamics which states that each system tends to move in the direction of lowest energy. Sedimentation in intervening basins may be seen as part of the natural process of landscape evolution. The rates at which sedimentation occurs may be strongly influenced by the activities of man.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1979
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