Browsing by Advisor/Supervisor
Now showing items 1-18 of 18
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Analysing mine energy management considering utility demand
(North-West University (South Africa), 2019)This dissertation was completed using an article-based format. Article 1 has been submitted to the Journal of Energy in Southern Africa and Article 2 to Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. In the past, the ... -
Development of a local benchmarking strategy to identify inefficient compressed air usage in deep-level mines
(North-West University (South Africa), 2019)South African mines can be up to four kilometres deep, and they are continually extending to keep up with production targets as mining resources get depleted. High electricity costs and additional resources required to ... -
Development of a method for software maintenance using event logs
(North-West University (South Africa), 2020)Previous studies have shown that software maintenance can comprise between 60% and 80% of a software system’s overall cost due to the time spent on maintenance. It is also important to note that in any software system, it ... -
Development of an integrated cost model for steel production planning
(North-West University (South Africa), 2019)The international steel-manufacturing industry has been referred to as a driving force for industrial development, which is critical to a country's development. This industry is experiencing several challenges due to a ... -
Development of processes to improve sustainability of industrial IDM projects
(North-West University (South Africa), 2020)Eskom, the primary supplier of electricity in South Africa, is struggling to keep up with the country’s demand. This led to the creation of the Integrated Demand Management (IDM) Division which funds projects implemented ... -
Evaluating the feasibility of integrating mine compressed air systems for energy savings
(North-West University (South Africa), 2021)The South African metals and mining industry is under pressure to increase their production output. While South Africa’s production trend has been decreasing, even though it is the third largest gold reserve, the global ... -
Evaluating water supply control at a centralised hydro-powered mine
(North-West University (South Africa), 2021)Deep-level mines face economic challenges which comprise reducing operating costs while increasing production. Hydro-powered mining was developed as an alternative mining method to conventional pneumatically-powered mining ... -
Expanding compressed air management through cross cut isolation
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2022)Compressed air on deep-level mines is regarded as an important source of energy for underground mining operations, as the compressed air network forms the backbone of several mining processes over a 24-hour mining cycle. ... -
A generic software platform for performance monitoring of deep-level mine systems
(North-West University (South Africa), 2020)Systems of a deep-level mining operation are integral to the working of a mine. These systems help with water reticulation, compressed air, and energy used for mining minerals. A mine relies on these capital-intensive ... -
Holistic evaluation of surface cooling plant configurations for different seasons at deep mines
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2023)The mining sector consumes a large portion of South Africa’s electricity. Deep mining contributes to 15% of the total electricity consumption in South Africa. Mining electricity costs in South Africa have increased by 655% ... -
Improved control of compressed air networks using machine learning
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2021)Mining companies in South Africa are under financial strain and so need to minimise expenses to stay profitable. Improving the efficiency of compressed air networks could lead to a significant reduction in electricity ... -
An integrated simulation-based method for deep-level mine dewatering planning
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2022)The South African gold mining industry has declined rapidly over the last decades. The main contributors are rising operational costs and fluctuating gold prices. Due to increased electricity costs and increased mining ... -
Modeling power failures in deep-level mines to assist with emergency dewatering planning
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2023)A mining complex’s intricate dewatering system removes water that enters the shaft through various means. This system comprises a series of water pumps that require a constant power supply to avoid flooding key areas of ... -
Novel solutions for compressed air demand management on deep-level mines
(North-West University (South Africa), 2020)Mining makes a significant contribution to South Africa’s economy (7.3% of the gross domestic product) and provides direct employment to more than 450 000 people. The bulk of South Africa’s mineral wealth lies in deep-level ... -
Prediction model for the performance of a methane-fuelled spark-ignition engine at a deeplevel mine
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2022)Electrical energy supply in South Africa is unreliable and the cost of electricity has been increasing significantly annually. This negatively impacts high energy consumers, especially deep-level mines. Therefore, reducing ... -
Quantifying the impact of water mismanagement on latent heat in deep-level mines
(North-West University (South Africa), 2020)South African mines are increasing in depth and temperature. This temperature increase has a negative effect on an employee’s ability to perform their daily tasks underground which directly affects the mines’ production. ... -
Target profiles for critical parameters in compressed air systems to reduce missed energy savings opportunities
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2023)The reducing profit margins of South African mines pose a financial and economic risk for South Africa. The decrease in gold production and the increase in operational costs are contributing factors to the reduction of ... -
A target-based performance tracker for mine energy monitoring
(North-West University (South Africa), 2021)Software systems play a major role in the day-to-day operation of deep-level mines. These systems range from quantifying production and energy use to monitoring seismic activity. As deep-level mines expand to reach more ...