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Research output
The Mining Resilience Research Centre (MRRC) was established in the Department of Mining Engineering in 2017 to develop significant interdisciplinary research collaboration within the University of Pretoria and external organisations involved in research related to mining challenges. This is to ensure that the mining industry meets the full expectations of investors, government, employees, organised labour, communities and other stakeholders in the mining industry, particularly within the context of the role played by the mining industry as a source of economic growth and social transformation.
Prof Francois Malan was appointed as Director of the MRRC in January 2018, and he continues in this role.
The MRRC draws on the multidisciplinary resources within the University, matching the right skills sets to any mining problem. It also aims to strengthen the University’s mining footprint through its national and international mining and minerals research profile.
Its vision is to establish itself as a leading international contributor to solutions for complex problems in the mining industry. Its mission is to increase the resilience of the mining industry by developing solutions that can be practically implemented so as to enable the mining industry to transition from being reactive and compliant, to becoming resilient in issues relating to productivity, safety, health, environment, social responsibility and community management, through well-structured and committed postgraduate education and rigorous, integrated, scientific research initiatives.
During the period under review, the MRRC continued its association with the Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC). A key project successfully completed in 2020 related to the reopening of old mine workings and the mining of underground mine pillars to prevent serious accidents. A proposal was also submitted for a second project for the MHSC to update the South African mining rock stress measurement database. The outcome of this proposal is awaited.
Other contract research activities conducted on behalf of the Department included the following:
• Numerical modelling of the pillars at Black Rock Mine Operations – Phase 1 • A rock engineering assessment of the stability of the underground workings at Nkomati Nickel Mine • Numerical modelling of the crush pillars at South Deep Gold Mine • Evaluation of the revised pillar design methodology at Booysendal Mine
The University’s newly established Research Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems (MMS), which forms part of the South African Mining, Extraction, Research, Development and Innovation (SAMERDI) initiative, with which the Department has a longstanding involvement, will enhance the activities in the Department’s mechanisation and automation research focus area. The objective is to engage in innovative projects with commercialisation potential, which will receive funding from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) once they reach sufficient technology readiness levels. The MMS programme is an initiative of the MRRC.
The following SAMERDI projects were successfully completed during the period under review:
• Rock engineering criteria for mechanised mining • Ventilation design • Equipment and communication utilisation • Guideline for the implementation of shaft infrastructure for mechanised mining
Contracts have also been concluded for the following projects to be undertaken in 2021:
• Developing an effective pillar design methodology for mechanised mining • Mechanised technical design optimisation: Vent engineering ventilation on demand • Mechanised mining optimisation: Increased blasting frequency and mining cycle enhancement • Mechanised equipment optimisation: Equipment utilisation monitoring
