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All Journal Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management
Sphiwe Emmanuel Mhlongo
University of Venda
Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

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Journal : Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management

 1 
Evaluation of copper tailings from the abandoned Messina Mine for possible reuse in recreational projects, South Africa Sphiwe Emmanuel Mhlongo; Fulufhelo Lesego Makatu; Nhlanhla Khuzulwandle Malaza; Azwihangwisi Tendani Ramalata
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol 9, No 2 (2022)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2022.092.3359

Abstract

Historic mining of copper around Musina Town left behind a sizeable unrehabilitated tailing dump. This article reports on the study conducted to investigate the suitability of using copper tailings as sand replacement in recreational projects. The methodology used involved analyzing the particle size distribution and plasticity index (PI) of the tailings and determining their particle density, bulk density, particle shape, total porosity, and permeability coefficient. The pH of the tailings, major element oxides, and heavy metals composition were all analyzed. The tailings were classified as poorly graded sand with silt (SP-SM). Low fines (9.6%) and PI (1.4) values revealed that the copper tailings were texturally suitable for application in rootzones of sports fields, courts for beach volleyball, and bunkers of the golf courses. Their particle density (2.90 g/cm³), bulk density (1.53-1.89 g/cm³), porosity (34.62-47.04%), and permeability (1.42 x 10-3 cm/sec) were all within the recommended range for application in rootzones. The angular particles of the tailings supported their uses in the bunkers. However, their pH (7.9) and high quartz content (69% SiO2) confirmed their suitability for rootzones. However, the high concentration of Cu (1872.0 mg/kg) and Cr (159.5 mg/kg) was identified as a potential risk of using the copper tailings in rootzones. This and the relatively high Al2O3 (11%) and Fe2O3 (8%) suggested that the copper tailings should be first washed or processed before being used in any recreational projects. Developing a suitable technique for processing the studied copper tailings to enhance their properties for different recreational projects was recommended.
Artisanal and small-scale mining activities as post-mining land use in abandoned mine sites: a case of Giyani and Musina areas, Limpopo Province of South Africa Sphiwe Emmanuel Mhlongo; George Oluwole Akintola
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol 8, No 3 (2021)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2021.083.2815

Abstract

South Africa has many artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities that some are registered and others informal and illegal. This paper presents an overview of ASM operations in the vicinity of abandoned mine sites found in Giyani and Musina areas, Limpopo Provine of South Africa. It looks at the mining processes, environmental problems, and health and safety risks of ASM in the area. It also provideds a discussion of practical ways of dealing with the problems of artisanal and small-scale mining operations in a harmonized way with the rehabilitation of the abandoned mine sites. The exploitation of waste rock dumps for aggregate production in Musina demonstrated that formalized ASM activities can be the best alternative uses of the abandoned mine sites. However, artisanal gold mining around Giyani revealed the health and safety risks and environmental problems of these operations. The artisanal gold mining activities worsened the health and safety and the environmental problems of the abandoned mine sites. Therefore, this paper recommends that the efforts of coming up with strategies to formalize and regulate artisanal mining in South Africa be deepened for these activities to be accepteble as sustainable as post-mining land-uses in abandoned mines.
The criteria for ranking and prioritization of rehabilitation of abandoned mines Sphiwe Emmanuel Mhlongo; Sibulele Sigxashe
Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management Vol 8, No 4 (2021)
Publisher : Brawijaya University

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.15243/jdmlm.2021.084.2947

Abstract

The rehabilitation of abandoned mines begins with the characterization and ranking of these mines. Based on this, countries, organizations, and individual researchers have developed tools for ranking abandoned mines for rehabilitation. This paper comments on the issues of abandoned mines which include their definition and the problems they possess. It then critically examines the criteria used by different tools to prioritize the rehabilitation of abandoned mines. It showed that there is a sharp increase in the number of academic tools developed for the ranking of abandoned mines over the years. These tools demonstrated how the parameters disregarded in official ranking tools can rank the abandoned mines for rehabilitation. The paper recommends that the main issues of abandoned mines and their rehabilitation be part of the criteria of ranking these mines for rehabilitation. The inclusion of such parameters in the ranking criteria promises to improve the accuracy of the ranking process. It will go a long way in ensuring that the ranking tools provide the correct advice on what strategies can be used to rehabilitate these mines.
Co-Authors Azwihangwisi Tendani Ramalata Fulufhelo Lesego Makatu George Oluwole Akintola Nhlanhla Khuzulwandle Malaza Sibulele Sigxashe