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By P. Marinos, G. Tsiambaos, H. Saroglou

Anisotropy is a characteristic of intact foliated metamorphic rocks (slates, gneisses, phyllites, schists). ?esting was used to establish the anisotropic behaviour of selected gneissic rocks. The effect of anisotropy on various mechanical properties (strength, deformation) and dynamic properties (wave velocity) was examined. The rock samples were also tested at successively higher confining pressures in order to evaluate the effect of anisotropic behaviour at high overburden pressures. L’ anisotropie characterise les roches foliées (schistes, gneiss, phyllades). Dans ce travail des essais en laboratoire ont été exécutés afin de déterminer le comportement anisotropique des roches gneissiques. L’ effet de l’anisotropie a été examiné par rapport aux propriétés méchaniques (résistance, deformation) et propriétés dynamiques (vélocité ultrasonique). En outre des essais des roches ont été exécutés a des compressions latérales successivement plus grandes afin de déterminer le comportement des roches sous grands charges. Anisotropie ist eine Eigenschaft der geschieferten Gesteine (TonSchiefer, Gneis, Phyllit, Marmor). Versuche wurden durchgeführt, um anisotrope Verhalten von gneis Gesteinen zu ermitteln. Der Einfluss von Anisotropie auf mechanische (Festigkeit, Dehnung) und dynamische Eigenschaften (Wellegeschwindigkeit) wurde bestimmt. Die Dreiaxialversuche wurden unter grossem allseitigen Drücken entnommen, um das anisotrope Verhalten auf grösse herrschende Spannung zu bestimmen.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. G. Hardcastle, C. K. Kocsis

In Canada’s metal mines, ventilation, which requires electricity to operate the fans and fossil fuel for heating, accounts for a significant portion of the overall mine’s underground power consumption. Mine ventilation systems are usually designed near the end of the mine design process and often designed for the ‘worst-case-scenario’ with respect to ventilation demand. In Canada’s metal mines this is commonly dictated by either diesel equipment usage or heat management considerations. Once designed, mine ventilation systems tend to operate at this peak level throughout the operating life of the mine. This is despite there being significant periods when this quantity is not required this is done mainly due to lack of appropriate ventilation controls. Consequently, such systems are inefficient and wasteful and this must be changed if mining operations are to remain competitive while meeting increasingly more stringent regulations of underground environmental conditions. The advances in computing power and modelling software now make it possible to design, model and schedule a mine from opening to closure. The tools used for this include several disparate types of software. A developing trend is to design and plan the mine using orebody modelling software, followed by using discrete event simulation to predict production and evaluate various operating scenarios. It seems that again ventilation design is not being integrated into this process. Although, several modelling packages exist for ventilation design, little work has been done on integrating ventilation modelling into the overall life cycle plan of the mine. This paper will present a discussion of the work where the authors are attempting to integrate discrete event simulation for mine planning with ventilation modelling to predict the ventilation requirements for the operating life of the mine.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. F. Shao, G. Duveau, W. Z. Chen, O. Ozanam

In this paper, we present a sensitivity study for the numerical modelling of hydromechanical coupling around a shaft in partially saturated claystone. Two representative constitutive models have been used: an elastoplastic damage model (IDEPLML) and an elastic perfect plastic model based on the Hoek and Brown failure criterion (H&B). A series of comparative studies have been performed with respect to main parameters involved in coupling process (mechanical, hydraulic and hydric properties). The emphasis is put on the evaluation of induced plastic, damaged and failed zone due to excavation and drying process. Dans ce papier, nous présentons une étude numérique paramétrique du comportement hydromécanique couplé d’une argilite partiellement saturé, lors du creusement et de la maintenance d’un puit L’étude paramétrique porte à la fois sur le type de modèle et sur les principaux paramètres (mécaniques hydrauliques et hydriques) intervenant dans le couplage. L’accent est principalement porté sur l’évaluation des zones plastifiées autour de l’ouvrage lors de la désaturation. In unserem Beitrag geht es um eine digitale parametrische Untersuchung über das hydromechanische Verhalten eines teilweise durchtränkten Tons beim Abteufen und dem Betrieb von Schächten. Die parametrische Analyse konzentriert sich auf den Modelltypus und auf die wesentlichen bei der Verbindung wirksamen Parameter, d.h. die mechanischen, hydraulischen und hydrologischen. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Bewährung der plastifizierten Bereiche des Bauwerkes während der Austrocknung.

Jan 1, 2003

By Y. -J. Park, K. -H. You, Y. -T. Choi, Lee. H. -W.

Many large caverns are being constructed in great depths in Korea mainly for the storage of oil and LPG. These caverns are mostly located near the port where rock conditions are reasonably good. In some instances, the horizontal stress is very high and endangers the stability of the cavern. The purpose of this study is to assess the stability of large caverns excavated in a rock mass with high horizontal stress where Ko value is close to 3. Result shows that stress exerted in the shotcrete at crown exceeds allowable value when the 3rd bench is excavated. Also found is the tensile failure of shotcrete near the boundaries between benches. In Korea werden viele grosse Kaverne fuer Aufbewahrung vom Oel und Fluessiggas in grosser Tiefe gebaut. Am Meisten befinden sich diese Kaverne in der Naehe von Haefen, wo der Fels gute Verhaeltnisse zum Bauen einer Kaverne besitzt. In einigen Faellen ist die Horizontalspannung sehr gross und dadurch wird die Stabilitaet vom Kaverne gefaerdet. Der Zweck dieser Arbeit ist die Stabilitaet des im Fels gebauten grossen Kavernes mit hoher Horiaontalspannung zu schuetzen, wo Ko-Wert sich auf 3 naehrt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Spannung im Spritzbeton an der Krone den zulaessigen Wert ueberschreitet, wenn das dritte Bank ausgegraben wird. Im Bereich des Spritzbetons zwischen Baenke wurde das Zugversagen festgestellt. Des larges cavités nombreuses sont en train d’être construites en grand profondeur en Corée prin-cipalement pour le stocage du pétrole et LPG. Ces cavités sont pour la plupart situées près de la porte oú les conditions des roches sont résonablement bons. En quelques cas, la contrainte hori-zontale est trés haute et met en danger la stabilité de la cavité. L’objet de cet étude est d’estimer la stabilité des large cavités excavées dans une masse de roche ayant une haute contrainte horizontale oú la valeur de Ko est proche à 3. Le résultat montre que la contrainte exercée dans le shotcrete à la couronne dépasse la valeur admissible quand le troisième banc est excavé. En plus une faillite en tension du shotcrete près de la frontière entre des bancs est trouvée.

Jan 1, 2003

Mineral Resource Throughput Management is based on the extraction of the maximum potential value from an ore reserve with the emphasis to generate maximum ROI and ROR (return on reserve). A steel producing company in India implemented MRTM to significantly improve their ROI and ROR. The value chain of this company consists of their own iron ore and coal mines, ore washing plants, sinter plants, steel plants, and sales and marketing division. The target for the mines was to produce at a stable and predictable rate and at specific quality requirements. These requirements were set to improve productivity and ROI of the steel plant. The implementation constituted the alignment of the reserve potential, total production chain, human resources and management culture at the mines with the requirements of the steel plant. Many typical mining practices were challenged and changed. Production targets regarding lump vs. fines ratio, consistent product tons, quality targets such as Fe, Al content and moist, and standard deviation on the quality targets were not achieved. A reverse distribution model with release mechanisms to satisfy the demand were developed and implemented at the mines. A stable and predictable flow of mine product with quality standards well within the required standard deviation targets were achieved. The contribution from the mines to significantly improve the Net Profit, ROI and ROR of the company were reached.

Jan 1, 2007

By I. Gil, J. -C. Roegiers

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a technology that has been utilized for more than 50 years in the oil industry. It was originally used for stimulating hard, brittle formations which typically exhibit low permeabilities and roughly linear elastic behavior. Nonetheless, an increasingly important segment of the industry is currently stimulating very soft and poorly consolidated formations; where the assumptions of ideal elasticity and relatively small fluid leakoff fail to hold (e.g. Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Alaska, East China). In these rocks, hydraulic fracturing stimulation has been used for several years to control and solve critical production problems such as sanding and formation damage (caused during completion and drilling operations). Although successful1, the application of this method has not been accompanied by robust fracturing modeling techniques. In addition, long term production increases were often not materialized. In other words, engineers have been able, via trial-and-error, to avoid major ‘operational’ problems but with no optimization of such treatments. Thus, most hydraulic fracturing projects carried out in poorly consolidated rocks render unexpected results. A recent worldwide survey on net pressures by the Delft Fracturing Consortium (Papanastasiou, 1997) indicated that net pressures encountered in the field are 50% to 100% higher than the net pressures predicted by conventional fracturing simulators. The difference is yet higher for the case of poorly consolidated formations (Pak, 1997). The theory for the construction of a fully coupled elastoplastic three-dimensional hydrofrac simulator, specifically conceived for unconsolidated rocks, is presented in this paper. This novel model calculates the dimensions and changes in shape of the fracture(s) being created during hydraulic fracturing operations. No assumptions are made regarding either shape or geometry of the crack(s). Three main failure criteria are used simultaneously in this model: tensile and shear stresses, and volumetric strain. Incremental forms of the governing equations of equilibrium and fluid flow are presented. The scheme chosen for solving this problem is the finite elements method, which allows both equations to be solved simultaneously at any instant in time. Résumé La fracturation hydraulique est une technologie qu’a été utilisé pour plus que 50 ans dans l'industrie pétrolière. Elle a été utilisée au début pour stimuler les formations dure et fragile que typiquement ont des perméabilités basses et un comportement élastique à peu près linéaire. Néanmoins, un segment plus important de l'industrie stimule actuellement des formations mal consolidées; où les suppositions d'élasticité idéale et de relativement petite fuite de fluide ne se tiennent pas raison (par exemple le Golfe de Mexique, l'Afrique d'ouest, Alaska, la Chine de l'est). Dans ces roches, la stimulation avec fracturation hydraulique a été utilisée pour plusieurs années pour contrôler et résoudre les problèmes critiques de production comme les dommages de formation et d’ensablement (causé pendant les opérations de l'accomplissement et forage). Bien que prospère, l'application de cette méthode n'a pas été accompagnée de techniques robustes pour le modelage de fractures. En outre, les augmentations à long terme de production n'ont pas été souvent concrétisées. En d'autre termes, les ingénieurs ont pu, via le procès et l’erreur, éviter les majeur problèmes ‘opérationnel’ mais avec aucune optimisation de tels traitements. Ainsi, la plupart des projets de fracturation hydraulique ont été exécuté dans des roches mal consolidées et ont rendu résultat totalement inattendu. Une récente étude mondiale sur les pressions nettes par le Consortium Delft pour Fracturer (Papanastasiou, 1997) a indiqué que les pressions nettes qu’ont été rencontré dans le champ sont environ 50% à 100% plus hautes que les pressions nettes prédites par les simulateurs fracturant conventionnels. La différence est pourtant plus importante pour le cas de formations mal consolidées (Pak, 1997). La théorie de construction d'un simulateur elastoplastic d’hydrofrac à trois dimensions entièrement couplé, en particulier conçu pour les roches non consolidés, est présentée dans ce papier. Ce nouveau modèle calcule les dimensions et les changements dans la forme de(s) fracture(s) étant créé pendant les opérations de fracturation hydraulique. Aucune supposition n’a été faites en ce que concernant la forme ou la géométrie

Jan 1, 2003

[Ferro Alloys Producers Association The South Africa Institute of Mining and Metallurgy www.saimm.co.za Mintek www.mintek.co.za Eskom www.eskom.co.za ]

Jan 1, 2004

By L. Jurca, C. Gligor

After 1990, a great process of re-organisation and economic reform has occurred in the Romanian mining sector and especially in the pitcoal mining in the Jiu Valley. This process has included both legislation and the main aspects for getting an economic efficiency in the environment issues and for dealing the problems with social impact. Accordingly, starting with the year 1993 a new mining method has been introduced to turn efficient the pitcoal mining, and we speak about mining with caved in bed. This method has two variants: - with transverse strips and caved in bed; - with long face and caved in bed. Each of the above-mentioned variants has in turn several subdivisions, depending on how the longwall is prepared and on other characteristics. By using this method, the output has increased compared to other mining methods. The main safety aspects concerning caved in mining refer to: - great emissions of methane; - technical aspects (a mining method system, supports, discharging process); - pressure driving (analysed for the case of mining with long face, with transverse strips as well for the case of transverse strips when mining a subsequent sublevel).

Jan 1, 2003

By M. G. Wimberger

The Merensky Reef zone, as developed on Impala Platinum?s Rustenburg Operations, displays a gradational mineralized zone, with grades decreasing from the Merensky Pegmatoid Unit into the footwall and hanging wall. A system of identifying a manageable method of defining the mining cut is introduced, termed the grade profile attenuation cut-off grade. Although horizontal grade selectivity is not applied in the mining of the Merensky Reef zone, low extraction of the orebody, due to manageable and non-manageable factors, can contribute to a reduction in revenue, even losses, due to fixed cost contributions in the mining and beneficiation of the ore. A model is proposed that integrates all variables affecting the revenue of the mining operation, including the grade profile attenuation cut-off grade, the extraction factors, commodity prices and exchange rates, utilizing numerical simulation techniques in a PC-based environment. A breakeven extraction factor for a specific cut-off grade is delivered for a range of market conditions. The breakeven extraction factor is a useful guide when designing mining layouts in structurally complex and low metal content areas. Incorporating distribution functions for individual commodity prices and exchange rates into the model provides mineral resource managers with a risk profile for individual mining areas. Shaft areas have varying grade profiles and each area should have individual models run, to prevent generalizations being made about acceptable risk levels on mining areas.

Jan 1, 2004

By I T. Tshabalala

In typical conventional narrow vein stoping operations, the use of temporary support components to offer some support to workers, whilst the permanent and generally more elaborate support system gets installed or constructed, still results in injuries to people. The authors wishes to explore the probability and practicality of making use of new generation support products to make the support operations safer as well as enhance productivity in the stope face. This paper will examine the use of Autorock Drills as a means to drill roof support holes and install appropriate support components into these holes, as well as the application of ?Thin Spray Liners?, commonly called TSL?s as an additional means of creating a safer operating environment. The installation of netting as a means of roof protection and other support aspects such as cemented roof-bolts will also be explored. These proposed items are envisaged to improve the safety of our people and reduce production down time and increase production and productivity.

Jan 1, 2008

By S. G. Gendler

One of the ways of trauma and occupational diseases level reduction is noted to be the improvement of the labour protection measures planning. As an indicator for prospective trends determination in the labour protection planning improvement sphere economic risk has been proposed to be used. The trauma and occupational diseases analysis based on the correlative and regressive methods has been carried out for the “Vorgashorskaya” mine of Pechora coal basin. Trauma and occupational diseases occurrences frequency and economic losses value have been estimated. Trauma and occupational diseases economic risk distribution analysis has been presented in respect to the different subdivisions and occupational groups of “Vorgashorskaya” mine.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. E. Olsen, T. Færden, G. Tranell, T. Lindstad, J. Lubetsky

The authors are lead authors for chapter 4.3 ?Emissions from Ferroalloy Production? in ?2006 IPCC Guide-lines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Volume 3?. The paper discusses the methods to calculate and report emissions from the production of ferrosilicon, silicon-metal, ferromanganese, silicomanganese and ferrochromium alloys, as well as the basis for the methods and choice of emission factors. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas emission from ferroalloy production, accounting for about 95 % of the total CO2-equivalents. The most accurate method of determining emissions is to base the calculations on reported amounts and analyses of reducing agents and carbonate ores used in the process. If analyses are not available, typical CO2 emission factors for the different reducing agents are recommended. If neither reliable amounts nor analyses of all reducing agents are known, default generic CO2 emission factors for the type of ferroalloy multiplied with amount produced, can be used. The CO2 produced from bio-carbon (charcoal and wood chips) should be reported but will not be accounted for in national emissions. If any bio-carbon is used, the default generic CO2 emission factors cannot be applied. CH4 accounts for less than 1 % of the total emission of CO2-equivalents. Default emissions factors for CH4 are given for the production in open or semi-closed furnaces of silicon-metal and ferrosilicon. In the production of FeMn, SiMn and FeCr in closed furnaces the gas containing CO,CO2 and volatiles can be combusted in boilers and N2O may be formed. While reporting is not required, IPCC Guidelines recommend that the N2O-content in the off-gas is measured.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. W. Latilla, J. J. van Wijk

A running facebreak ahead of the powered support units occurred on the number 4 seam at Matla Coal’s number 3 shaft (Matla 3) in April and May 2002.Very difficult mining conditions were experienced for a distance of some 150 m in the tailgate and to a lesser extent on the face itself. The paper analyses the main causes for the high stress conditions leading to the facebreak, namely, the existence of a >20 m dolerite sill close to surface and the effect of stopping longwalling on the overlying 5 seam. Difficulties experienced during the facebreak are discussed, including, pillar and roof collapses in the tailgate, high stress areas ahead of the face causing roof and sidewall stability problems, flushing of broken rock into the face area at the tailgate, secondary mid-face breaks, and the availability of critical support units. Successful rock engineering interventions and learning points were that, a goaf angle of 14.6° was found to be more realistic than the previously used 20 to 25° in predicting dolerite sill behaviour in this area, pre-split blasting of the sill significantly reduced stress on the face and tailgate allowing re-support work to proceed, varying pillar support types were analysed and rated, the need to always have a ground control “First Aid” kit available was recognised and a strategy for subsequent panels beneath the sill was developed. Numerous support units were used and the performance of the more suitable types is briefly discussed. A running facebreak ahead of the powered support units occurred on the number 4 seam at Matla Coal’s number 3 shaft (Matla 3) in April and May 2002.Very difficult mining conditions were experienced for a distance of some 150 m in the tailgate and to a lesser extent on the face itself. The paper analyses the main causes for the high stress conditions leading to the facebreak, namely, the existence of a >20 m dolerite sill close to surface and the effect of stopping longwalling on the overlying 5 seam. Difficulties experienced during the facebreak are discussed, including, pillar and roof collapses in the tailgate, high stress areas ahead of the face causing roof and sidewall stability problems, flushing of broken rock into the face area at the tailgate, secondary mid-face breaks, and the availability of critical support units. Successful rock engineering interventions and learning points were that, a goaf angle of 14.6° was found to be more realistic than the previously used 20 to 25° in predicting dolerite sill behaviour in this area, pre-split blasting of the sill significantly reduced stress on the face and tailgate allowing re-support work to proceed, varying pillar support types were analysed and rated, the need to always have a ground control “First Aid” kit available was recognised and a strategy for subsequent panels beneath the sill was developed. Numerous support units were used and the performance of the more suitable types is briefly discussed. Une cassure de taille en avant des unités de soutènement s’est produise sur la veine numéro 4 dans le puits numéro 3 (Matla 3) de la mine Matla Coal en avril et mai 2002. Les conditions d’extraction étaient extrêmement difficiles sur une distance d’environ 150 m dans la voie de tête et, en moindre mesure, sur le front de taille lui-même. L’étude présente analyse les raison majeures pour les conditions de grandes contraintes qui ont conduit à la cassure de taille, à savoir l’existence d’un mur de dolérite de >20m proche de la surface et l’effet d’arrêter la longue taille sur la veine 5 superposée. Les difficultés rencontrées pendant la cassure de taille sont rapportées, y compris les effondrements de piliers et toit dans la voie de tête, les aires de grandes contraintes en avant du front de taille causant des problèmes de stabilité pour le toit et les parois latérales, l’injection de roches cassées dans la taille en voie de tête, les cassures secondaires à mi-taille, et la disponibilité d’unités de soutènement critiques. Interventions minières réussies et leçons apprises furent : un angle de remblai de 14.6° était plus réaliste que celui de 20 à 25° utilisé auparavant pour prédire la conduite du mur de dolérite dans cet endroit ; tir à deux temps du mur a réduit considérablement les contraintes sur la taille et la voie de tête, ce qui a permis un travail de support complémentaire ; des types variés de support de piliers furent analysés et évalués ; la nécessité d’avoir toujours une trousse de première urgence disponible fut reconnue ; et finalement une stratégie pour les panneaux en dessous du mur fut

Jan 1, 2003

Mr Colin M. Spence took office as President of The Federation of Societies of Professional Engineers on 1st July, 1984. Colin Maynard Spence was born in November 1921, and was educated at the Durban Preparatory and High Schools, in both of which he was a Dux Scholar. He graduated from the University of Natal in 1942 with a B.Sc. degree in civil engineering. In 1958 he received a Diploma in Town Planning from the same university. Cessation of Membership In accordance with Clauses 7.6.1 and 12.1 of the Institute's Constitution, Rules and Policy, the following members have been struck off the Membership list.

Jan 1, 1984

By Dolly Chakraborty, S. Ranganathan, S. N. Sinha

Experiments were conducted to study the influence of temperature, particle size and ore/coke ratio on the kinetics of reduction. The rate of reduction increased with temperature. The reduction of iron was completed at shorter time intervals at temperature above 1000ºC. Usually the reduction of chromium commenced after the reduction of iron was almost complete. Reduction was controlled by diffusion at low temperatures and by chemical reaction at higher temperatures. The nature of the reducing agent had a very significant influence on the rate of reduction. The study showed that chromium was converted into the carbide during reduction. Increasing the size of the reducing agent increased the rate of reduction initially. After a critical size, the rate of reduction decreased. However, increasing the size of the ore particle decreased the rate of reduction, initially. Beyond a critical size, it increased. An optimum particle size of the chromite ore and that of coke must be chosen, particularly in the production of agglomerates to achieve maximum degree of reduction.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. Peake

Background The CSIR Division of Mining Technology assumed responsibility for the operations of the Hoist Rope and Mechanical Test Laboratories at Cottesloe in April 1999. The laboratories were previously the responsibility of the CSIR’s Division of Manufacturing and Materials Technology, before which they fell under the National Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (also of CSIR). As the focus of this conference is on safety in mines research institutes, it was thought appropriate that this paper should review some of the activities at Cottesloe and its role in supporting mine safety strategies.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. G. Hulbert, D. J. Oosthuizen, D. de V. van der Spuy

Expert Online, as a software system, is aimed at providing plant operators in the minerals industry with effective training and on-the-job assistance. It incorporates a number of features to achieve this goal, of which the most important is its ability to explain the dynamics of the plant and control system in simple language, mimicking an informed plant expert who has online access to the inner workings of the plant and control system. This is made possible by a novel form of Artificial Intelligence, called the Interpreting Expert System. Previous implementations of the IES were only capable of explaining controller actions. Expert Online will extend this capability to also perform the more difficult task of explaining process behaviour. Expert Online will implement three main processes, namely the accumulation of data from the controllers and plant models, the interpretation, processing and filtering of that data and lastly communicating the relevant information to the user, both as written messages and in other audio-visual forms. Although Expert Online is aimed at the operator, other plant personnel, like supervisors and plant managers, will also benefit from it. This paper focuses on the structural and functional design of Expert Online for implementation on the latest version of Mintek’s open control platform, PlantStar, highlighting advances and additions since the previous implementations of the Interpreting Expert System and concluding with an example illustrating some of the principles.

Jan 1, 2003

By Jack Levin

Dr Laurence AlIison Bushel, a former President of the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa, now The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, was born in Queenstown on 20th June, 1910, and died in Johannesburg on 4th November, 1991. There were three distinct periods in the career of Laurie Bushel, each enlivened by some special interests or achievements.

Jan 1, 1991

By Willem Le Roux

The common law requires an employer to take reasonable steps for the safety of employees. In general, the duty of care means that the employer, acting personally or through its employees or agents, must take reasonable care for the safety of its employees (Van Deventer v Workmen?s Compensation Commissioner; 1962 (4) SA 28 T; Oosthuizen v Homegas (Pty) Ltd 1992 (3) SA 463 T).The duty of care includes the provision of safe premises, safe machinery and tools and a safe system of work. The obligation is not an absolute one, but is restricted by the concept of reasonableness. The common law duty may, in certain cases, include the assessment of hazards and risks. 2 International law Great emphasis has been placed in the Western world on the prevention of occupational diseases and injuries. Detailed statutes and regulations govern specific industries in many countries. See, e.g. the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations of the United Kingdom and various regulations applicable to the use of asbestos and lead, fire protection, mines and quarries, petroleum, etc. Risk management is an important part of managing health and safety. In the United Kingdom, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, 1999, require every employer to make a ?suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work?. The particularity of the assessment is determined by the risk in question.

Jan 1, 2011

By Didier Kasongo NYEMBWE

The paper circumscribes the base metal casting industry in Southern Africa. It essentially consists in the founding of copper and zinc alloys. The challenge related to the scarcity and the unaffordable quality patterns and dies faced by the industry is discussed. New manufacturing technologies for foundry tooling called Rapid Prototyping that can possibly be used to alleviate the above mentioned challenge are then presented and their benefits assessed.

Jan 1, 2007