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By J. Arzuúa, U. Castro-Filgueira, L. R. Alejano, F. Malan

"Pillar design for underground mining is typically done using empirical formulae or numerical modelling. Practical experience and recent literature, nevertheless, illustrate the shortcomings of these design approaches. Ongoing monitoring of pillars is therefore recommended to minimize the risk associated with these designs.In a mine where a large number of pillars are cut, different pillar strengths can be expected owing to variations in rock mass strength from area to area. This problem is compounded by the fact that in mining environments the pillars are not always cut according to the prescribed dimensions. Although the original design using either empirical methods or modelling may predict stable pillars, unstable pillars will be encountered in reality. Very conservative designs with large factors of safety may circumvent this problem, but this approach is uneconomical.A possible solution to localized stability problems may be to enhance the strength of a few unstable pillars. It may even be hypothesized that reinforcing a few critical pillars may prevent ‘pillar runs’ on a much larger scale. Rockbolting, strapping of pillars, and pillar shotcreting have occasionally been used in the past as possible solutions. It appears that these have not been successful in all cases and large collapses have occurred in spite of the pillar remedial work.The authors investigated the strapping of pillars by conducting laboratory tests on cabled rock specimens. The results were qualitatively compared to actual attempts of pillar reinforcement available in the literature, as well as additional observations in an old haematite roomand- pillar mine in Spain. Based on these results, the value of steel cabling and mesh wrapped around pillars to improve stability is demonstrated. Some cases where this approach will not be successful are also discussed."

Jan 1, 2017

The AMIRA Code of Practice and Guidelines for Metal Accounting was developed in response to demand from a number of sponsor companies, including one major platinum producer. Since its publication in 2007, the Code has become widely accepted in the mining industry world-wide as a guide for best practice in metal accounting. With the changes in the structure of the platinum mining industry in South Africa over the last 10 ? 15 years, in particular, the starting up of a number of small platinum producers who must have their concentrate smelted and the contained valuable metals refined by third parties, the need for metal accounting systems that are accurate and have an acceptable level of precision has become even more critical to the success of a platinum-producing operation. The current state of metal accounting in the industry is discussed and possible areas for improved accounting and associated metallurgical efficiencies are identified.

Jan 1, 2012

By D. A. Hayman, N. Rambuda, N. A. Sithole, C. Hockaday, J. D. Steenkamp

"Mogale Alloys operates two alternating current (AC) submerged arc furnaces (SAFs), and two direct current (DC) open bath furnaces. These furnaces are capable of producing two products, silicomanganese (SiMn) and ferrochrome (FeCr), with a total production capacity of 110 000 t/a. This paper focuses on the silicomanganese process specific to Mogale Alloys, with a two-furnace operation facility that produces 55 000 t of SiMn per annum.IntroductionMogale Alloys is situated in Krugersdorp in the West Rand District Municipality in South Africa’s Gauteng Province. The Krugersdorp facilities were initiated by Palmiet Chrome Corporation in February 1963 to produce charge chrome (Basson, Curr, and Gericke, 2007). Mogale Alloys bought the Palmiet Chrome facilities in 2005 from Samancor Chrome. The Afarak Group currently owns 90% of Mogale Alloys.SiMn is produced in two 20 MVA submerged arc furnaces (SAFs), which were originally built for chromite processing, and ferrochromium (FeCr) in two DC open bath furnaces rated at 40 MVA and 10 MVA. When this paper was compiled, the 10 MVA furnace was not operational due to the high cost of production, and one of the 20 MVA SAFs was recently converted to produce FeCr due to market constraints. Mogale Alloys has 290 permanent employees with four contracting companies on site. The paper presented here focuses on the production of SiMn at Mogale Alloys.The high-level process flow at Mogale Alloys is summarized in Figure 1, which details the raw material input and the products produced by the two 20 MVA furnaces. SiMn is produced by carbothermic reduction of manganese-bearing raw materials from four different sources, namely Wessels, Mamatwan, and UMK ores, and BHP sinter feed. The carbon sources are bituminous coal from Forzando and Msobo, local suppliers in Mpumalanga."

Nov 1, 2018

By Dick Minnitt

Large-scale variability in process plants and process control can be identified and controlled through disaggregating the overall variability in a process stream. Conventional statistics and Statistical Process Control (SPC) fail to address the concept of stream heterogeneity, therefore fail to identify and distinguish between the various sources of variability in a process stream. A modified set of 445 data from a process plant is used as an example to explain the benefits of variography in process control. Large-scale variability, usually in the form of product composition cycles and chemical cyclic variations may be manifest throughout a sampling system or a process plant, but this type of variability is most easily discernable in one-dimensional process streams. The Moving Average is a powerful tool for identifying large and small scale variability and cyclical behaviour in process streams, while the variogram is a custom built tool that allows the components of variability to be identified and resolved. The positions in the variogram at which the different variance can be read and the nomenclature of these types of variability is described. The transfer of variances converted to standard deviations to the Control Charts, allows an operator to appreciate the appropriateness of Upper and Lower control and specification limits. The overall contribution of the various sources of variability is represented in a pie diagram.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Kauchali

"Underground coal gasification (UCG) is recognized as an efficient mining technique capable of chemically converting the coal from deep coal seams into synthesis gas. Depending on the main constituents of the synthesis gas, chemicals, electricity, or heat can be produced at the surface. This paper provides a high-level graphical method to assist practitioners in developing preliminary gasification processes and experimental programmes prior to detailed designs or field trials. The graphical method identifies theoretical limits of operation for sensible gasification within a thermally balanced region, based primarily on the basic coal chemistry. The analyses of the theoretical outputs are compared to actual field trials from sites in the USA and Australia, with very favourable results. A South African coal is studied to determine the possible synthesis gas outputs achievable using various UCG techniques: controlled retractable injection point (CRIP) and linked vertical wells (LVW). For CRIP techniques, an important result suggests that pyrolysis, and subsequent char production, are important intermediate phenomena allowing for increased thermal efficiencies of UCG. The conclusion is that South African coals need to be studied for pyrolysis-char behaviour as part of any future UCG programme. The results also suggest that UCG with CRIP would be a preferred technology choice for Bosjesspruit coal where pyrolysis dynamics are important. Lastly, the use of CO2 as oxidant in the gasification process is shown to produce syngas with significant higher heating value. Introduction and literature surveyCoal is a commonly utilized fossil fuel, providing over 40% of global electricity demand and about 90% of South Africa’s primary energy needs. However, less than 20% of the known world resources are suitable for possible extraction using conventional surface and underground mining techniques (Andrianopolous,, Korre, and Durucan, 2015). Underground coal gasification (UCG) has the potential to recover the energy stored in coal in an environmentally responsible manner by exploiting seams that are deemed unmineable by traditional methods. The UCG process, if successfully developed, can increase coal reserves substantially. For example, in the Limpopo region of South Africa alone, the estimated potential for UCG gas, based on existing geological records, is over 400 trillion cubic feet (TCF) natural gas equivalent – this is about a hundred times more gas than the existing 4-TCF Pande-Temane natural gas field reserve in Mozambique (de Pontes, Mocumbi, and Sangweni, 2014)."

Oct 1, 2018

By P. O. Akinseye, F. T. Cawood

Mineral royalties are one of the oldest forms of mining taxation, and were initially introduced to extract economic rents from mining. Over time, the royalty regime has become more complex as it was identified as an important policy instrument that can achieve more multi-faceted outcomes. Such a multi-tiered approach in the use of the royalty instrument is also the case with South Africa. With South Africa’s new mineral royalty regime now in place for ten years, it is perhaps time to assess its impact and effectiveness. To carry out this assessment, an econometric evaluative study was undertaken using four major commodities in South Africa, namely gold, platinum, iron ore, and coal. The study explored five different policy options for government to consider and tested them to determine the most favourable one that will realize the regime’s policy objectives. After the assessment, two major options stood out. Hence, this paper seeks to highlight which of the two options is the most favourable for consideration by policymakers. Based on that study, we find that the current structure is effective, but also recommend that the factors in the formula for refined minerals be ‘modified’ to reduce the capped profitability ratio from the current 60% to 30% and the maximum royalty rate for refined minerals from 5% to 3%. The minimum rate of 0.5% during times of depressed mineral prices and no or low profitability will not be affected.

Dec 1, 2021

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 T. M. Chagwedera, A. E. Lewis, J. Chivavava

Eutectic freeze crystallisation is a novel separation technique that can be applied to treat brine solutions such as reverse osmosis retentates, which are often a mixture of different inorganic salts. The treatment of calcium sulphate-rich brine solutions through eutectic freeze crystallisation has resulted in gypsum scale formation on the walls of the crystallisers and ancillary equipment. In order to prevent gypsum scaling on equipment surfaces, it is essential to understand the mechanism of gypsum scaling on cold surfaces. This paper focused on the interaction between gypsum crystallisation in the bulk solution and scaling on the crystalliser walls in the presence of gypsum seeds. A cooled, U-shaped stainless-steel tube suspended in the saturated solution was employed as the scaling surface. Preliminary results showed that the scale layer was predominantly composed of needle-type and hexagonal prismatic crystals. The rate of scale deposition was highest during the first 24 hours, thereafter it decreased. A thin scale layer was observed to have coated the tube within the first hour of the experiment. Seeding, using reagent grade gypsum crystals, was effective in reducing scale layer formation through providing a surface for growth. The highest scale reduction, 81%, was realised at a seed loading of 0.50 g/L. At a high seed loading of 4.01 g/L, the seed material adhered to the tube. Keywords: Gypsum, eutectic freeze crystallization, seeding, scaling, cooling crystallisation

Jan 1, 2020

By S. Gan, E. van Niekerk, L. Birrell, D. Robbertze, L. Ncubi, B. Zhao

Quality assurance and quality control (or QAQC) plays a key role in safeguarding the level of confidence of the data generated during mineral exploration and mine development, and is also part of the reporting code requirements for resource estimation and reporting, as well as mining investment. Implementation of good policies and working protocols in quality management will result in the generation of reliable information, which is critical for decision-making on the future of the mining project. The use of certified reference materials, i.e., standard, blank, and duplicate samples, proves effective and efficient for ensuring the level of data confidence in terms of precision, accuracy, and sample contamination. This is well demonstrated by the practice of QC in the exploration programme for the chrysotile tailings storage facilities of Havelock Mine, using 1254 samples from 53 drill-holes. Different statistical tools were applied to analyse the assay results from these samples. The outcome substantiates that the QC practice established during the Havelock exploration project is aligned to best practice guidelines in the industry. The resource delineated indicates that the tailings material at Havelock could potentially become a significant source of supply to the global magnesium market.

Jul 2, 2022

By B. P. Watson, T. J. Maphosa, D. P. Roberts, L. J. Gardner

The results of FLAC3D modelling on chromitite Upper Group 2 Reef pillars from the Bushveld Complex of South Africa are described. The model input parameters were determined from laboratory triaxial tests with post-failure measurements. These geomechanical tests were performed on rock materials within the pillars and the immediate pillar foundations. In the models, postfailure behaviour was simulated using the concept of cohesion softening. Models were built to determine the strength and behaviour of pillars with a width-to-height ratio of approximately two. The original research aimed to find a suitable depth below the surface where Impala Platinum Ltd could safely introduce crush pillars; however, the paper only describes the model results: the ideal depth of the crush pillar introduction is not discussed. The results of the modelling are compared with the PlatMine formula for peak pillar strength and with an underground instrumented pillar located elsewhere on the same reef. Some insight into the effects of grid size on strength is also provided. Further underground measurements are recommended to verify the model results

Sep 9, 2024

By D. van der Westhuizen, H. Krieg, M. Kruger

In the field of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts, cobalt, platinum, and aluminium are the primary metal constituents of the conventionally used cobalt catalyst. While platinum recovery remains a focal point in this field, a recent endeavour by a South African company emerged, which aimed to recover cobalt and aluminium from spent Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts for potential use in the agricultural sector. This study aimed to optimally separate cobalt and aluminium from spent Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst for this purpose. It further leverages the OLI database to predict metal speciation during solvent extraction to aid with experimental planning. Shake-out tests were conducted to determine optimal separation. conditions, which were validated using three distinct methods: (i) evaluating the experimental error, (ii) comparing results with similar research, and (iii) validating results against the OLI database. The investigation revealed the pivotal role of the aqueous pH yielding effective separation at pH 3.13 ([H2SO4] = 2.5 × 10−4 M) when using 20 vol.% CYANEX 272 and 50 mol.% pre-neutralisation. Effective cobalt scrubbing was achieved with 50 g/L Al at pH 2.8, while successful stripping required 1 M H2SO4. Competitive interactions between complexing aluminium and cobalt species were observed when contacting with CYANEX 272 at a pH < 4. Equipment design analysis for a targeted separation efficiency of 87% dictated the necessity of two mixer stages and a settler measuring 1.5 m × 1.5 m × 6.0 m (height × width × length). This settler would ensure sufficient residence time for gravity separation at a flow rate of 10 m3/h.

May 27, 2025

By V. Velicka, J. Ptacek, R. Snuparek, P. Konecny, G. Takla

Coal mining in Ostrava-Karvina coalfield is being accompanied by rockbursts. 82 rockbursts occurred within the period between 1990 and 2002. Natural and technological factors from these rockbursts were collected and analysed. They confirmed that rockbursts are complex geomechanical events and that the relations between co-acting technological and natural factors are very complicated. Der Abbau in dem Ostrava-Karvina Steinkohlenrevier wurde von Anfang an durch Gebirgsschläge begleitet. 82 Gebirgsschläge in dem Zeitabshnitt von 1990 bis 2002 erfolgten. Die Angaben über natürliche und technische Faktoren der Gebirgsschläge wurden gesammelt und analysiert. Es wurde bestätigt, dass die Gebirgsschläge komplexe geomechanische Phänomene sind und dass die Beziehungen zwischen den zusammenwirkenden Faktoren sehr kompliziert sind. L´abattage d´houille dans le Bassin houiller d´Ostrava-Karvina est accompagnée par les coups de terrains. 82 coups de terrains s´étaient produit dans la période entre 1990-2002. Les données sur les facteurs naturels et techniques ont été ramassées et analysées. Les résultats ont corroboré que les coups de terrains sont des phénomènes géoméchaniques complexes. Les relations entre les facteurs techniques et naturels coopérants sont très compliqués.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. K. Mutinda, D. K. Maina, R. M. Kasomo, B. O. Alunda

Assessment of blast fragment size distribution is critical in mining operations because it is the initial step towards mineral extraction. Different empirical models and techniques are available for predicting and investigating the consequences of blasting, one of which is the Kuznetsov Cunningham-Ouchterlony (KCO) model. In this paper we summarize the advances in the empirical models from inception until now, and explore the improvements that have been made so far with particular emphasis is on the most recent KCO model. Utilization of the model and the errors that arise between expected and the actual outcomes are analysed. The results indicate that the KCO model remains useful for predicting the blast fragmentation at limestone mine sites, despite the availability of other advanced prediction models. It is also a valuable instrument for pre-surveying the impact of varying certain parameters of a blast plan.

Mar 1, 2021

By T. Fraszczak, U. A. Peuker, T. Mütze, O. Ortlepp

Dolomite is a calcium carbonate sedimentary rock that can be found all over the world. In its calcined form it is employed for water treatment or as an additive in iron production. Calcined dolomite is produced at the Wünschendorfer Dolomitwerk GmbH in shaft furnaces (kilns). Because of an expansion of the mined deposit, significantly higher extraction costs were expected. Therefore, the existing upgrading processes for the kiln stone fraction had to be adapted and improved. This paper presents a process optimisation which allows for an increase of the yield of calcined dolomite by 10 % due to a redesign of the crusher circuit and by an additional 5 % due to a comprehensive characterisation of the kiln stone fraction itself. Here the interdependency between the pressure drop in the furnace during calcination and the size distribution of furnace stones was used to increase the amount of fine size fractions in the furnace feed without deterioration of the calcination process. Keywords: Dolomite, crushing circuits, kiln stone production, flowability, calcination

Jan 1, 2020

INTRODUCTION This paper was originally presented at the Platinum Adding Value Conference, held at Sun City from the 4th to 6th October 2004. Narrow reef mining may not be applicable to the base metal operations in Zambia, however, it is considered that the methodology used is equally appropriate to the development of technology and mining methods in mining environments other than narrow reef mining. The purpose of this paper is to explore the integration of technology and stoping systems. For the last hundred years the South African narrow reef mining industry has battled to control working costs in a labour intensive industry. It is only through the application of appropriate technology that change will occur. Stoping systems, because it is the stoping method and methodology that is at the heart of the mining system. Introduce a different technology that results in a more efficient stoping system and the mining system will look after itself. The technology applied to stoping in narrow reef mining, over the last 100 years, can be categorised as follows: ? The introduction of pneumatic rockdrills early this century. The cumbersome rig mounted units being replaced by smaller, lighter, hand held units that were then made easier to use with the addition of an air leg. (The so called Swedish method of mining.) As late as the early 1970s some drilling was still being carried out without the assistance of an air leg. ? Scraper winches to replace gravity and shovels to move rock both in the face and the gullies were first introduced in the late 1920s. ? Hydraulic props installed close to the face and capable of applying force against the hangingwall as well as yielding in a controlled manner under dynamic load arrived in the 1960s. In many instances these have now been replaced by yielding elongates fitted with water hydraulic tensioning devices. ? Some people argue that the introduction of tungsten carbide inserts, to improve drilling, was equally important.

Jan 1, 2005

By S. Chatterjee, F. Suparno, A. Paithankar

Estimating reserves and quantifying resources stand as pivotal and intricate endeavours within the realm of coal mining operations. Intricate geological formations compound the challenges in resource estimation, thereby complicating reserve calculations. The uncertainties tied to geological attributes of coal, encompassing parameters like tonnage and coal quality, wield significant sway over resource and reserve computations within coal mines. This research delves into the domain of geological uncertainties, with a specific focus on calorific value, aiming to numerically characterise resources and reserves within an open-pit coal mine situated in Indonesia. To quantify resources, the coal seam geometry underwent simulation via a multipoint geostatistical technique known as single normal equation simulation. A geologically established coal seam served as the training image for generating 20 equiprobable coal models. To simulate CV, 50 realisations were generated for each simulated coal seam, utilising sequential Gaussian simulation. Deviations of the simulated coal seams ranged from -0.07% to 5.48% in comparison to the training image. The CV simulation yielded an average value of 5,920.29 kcal/kg, accompanied by a standard deviation of 586.54 kcal/kg. However, the average CV spanned from 5,305.26 kcal/kg to 6,526.55 kcal/kg across diverse simulations. For reserve calculation within the context of geological uncertainties, an algorithm rooted in maximum flow graph theory was employed to construct the ultimate pit for the coal mine. Within this final pit, the average stripping ratio was 1.62, coupled with a CV value of 6,019.66 kcal/kg. When juxtaposed with the deterministic model, the findings underscore that the stochastic ultimate pit delineates a more expansive excavation, accompanied by a heightened undiscounted cash flow.

Oct 2, 2025

By B. I. Matshediso, J. Kaavera, E. Shemang, T. K. Dintwe, L. S. Teseletso, K. Fichani

The minerals sector continues to draw attention from policy makers who would want to see both old and new mineral projects add value to the minerals in the host country. The current technological development in the leaching of manganese oxide ores to produce a high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate, a compound that is used in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles or long-life storage cells for the renewable energy market, has led to junior mining companies spearheading this technology in new projects across the globe. In this paper, we researched the high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate project pipeline and used projected production volumes and C1 cash costs to construct the industry supply curve for six projects, including the K.Hill project owned by Giyani Metals Corporation near Kanye, in the southern part of Botswana. The aim was to determine the ideal conditions that would provide a comparative advantage for further local value addition to high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate and to the end user product. The results showed that while the estimated C1 cash costs would place the K.Hill project as the second highest cost producer from among five projects, it would nonetheless have healthy profit margins due to the high projected price of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate. The study recommended policy options, which, if implemented, could further encourage the exploitation and value addition of battery metals in Botswana.

May 27, 2025

By I. O. Ondicho, E. K. Mutinda, B. O. Alunda, E. Agyekum

Driven by the necessity to improve blast performance regarding fragment size distribution in limestone mines, this paper introduces the prediction and measurement of blast fragmentation distribution through the modified Kuz-Ram (MKR) and Kuznetsov-Cunningham-Ouchterlony (KCO) models. Precise prediction and measurement of rock fragmentation resulting from blasting play a critical role in hard rock ore extraction. This is due to the substantial influence of post-blast ore size distribution on the efficiency of all subsequent downstream rock handling and processing operations. Additionally, employing secondary breakage of boulders, when necessary, leads to an unjustified rise in production costs. In this paper, the MKR and KCO models were utilised to identify the most appropriate model for application in Bisil and Simba quarries situated in Kajiado County, Kenya. Split-Desktop was used for blast fragment measurement by processing digital images obtained after blasting and computing the fragment size distribution of the blasted rock. As per the investigation, the recorded percentages of boulders generated at the sites ranged from 7% to 12.3% for the Simba quarry and from 11.2% to 23.9% for the Bisil quarry, respectively. Regression, correlation, and root mean square error (RMSE) were employed as the primary performance indicators. The study concluded that KCO outperformed MKR in accurately predicting blast fragment sizes in the examined quarries.

Mar 5, 2025

By M. Tangstad, J. D. Steenkamp

In April 2013 a 48 MVA submerged arc furnace producing silicomanganese was excavated in South Africa. Since the high shell temperatures recorded in the tap-hole area resulted in the furnace being switched out for relining, the tap-hole area was excavated systematically. A refractory wear profile of the tap-hole area with affected hearth and sidewall refractory was obtained in elevation. The carbon ramming paste in front of, above, andbelow the tap-hole was worn, as was the SiC with which the tap-hole was built. A clay mushroom formed but was detached from the refractories. Thermodynamic and mass-transfer calculations were conducted to quantify the potential for wear by chemical reaction between refractory and slag and refractory and metal in the tap-hole area. It was found that chemical reaction between refractory and slag or metal could offer only a partial explanation for the wear observed; erosion is expected to contribute significantly to wear.

Jan 1, 2015

By E. C. de Beer

"SynopsisA number of important areas in nuclear fuel cycle, at both the front end and back end, offer ideal opportunities for the application of non-destructive evaluation techniques. These techniques do not only provide opportunities for non-invasive testing of e.g. irradiated materials, but also play an important role in the development of new materials in the nuclear sector. The advantage of penetrating radiation used as probe in the investigation and testing of nuclear materials makes X-ray and neutron radiography (2D) and tomography (3D) suitable for various applications in the total nuclear fuel cycle. The unique and different interaction modes of the two radiation probes with materials provide several opportunities. Their complementary nature and non-destructive character makes them most suitable for nuclear material analyses, analytical method development, and the evaluation of the performance of existing nuclear material compositions. This article gives an overview of the X-ray and neutron radiography/tomography applications in the field of nuclear material testing, and highlights a few of the success stories. Several selected areas of application in the nuclear fuel cycle are discussed to illustrate the complementary nature of these techniques as applied to nuclear materials.IntroductionDuring the development of new materials for the nuclear industry, materials testing and characterization are of the outmost importance to maintain safety standards and reliability. No compromise on safety in the workplace in any area within the total nuclear fuel cycle can be tolerated, and therefore most in-situ material characterization and testing is conducted by certified and qualified personnel schooled in destructive and non-destructive testing (DT and NDT) methods. Certification and qualification in NDT can be obtained through many training centres in South Africa in accordance with European, American, and other international standards (SGS, n.d.; SAIW, n.d.; African NTD Centre, n.d.)."

Jan 1, 2015