TY - GEN
T1 - Ground instability and formation of sinkholes in the post mining of gold operations
AU - Phogole, K. S.
AU - Mulaba-Bafubiandi, A. F.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The discovery of gold at Langlaagte led to the development of gold mining in the Far West Rand in 1934. When the mines cease operating, re-watering of the dolomitic compartments will occur as a natural consequence. When water comes to within six metres of the roof of the aquifer, ground instability which will result in the formation of dolines and sinkholes will occur. This will threaten the rail link between Pretoria and Cape Town, as well as the N12 between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom, and also the R28 to the Vaal Industrial area. Dewatering caused the soil which formed the roof of the aquifers to dry. Re-watering will cause this dry, stable roof to become wet and unstable as it already happened in the past when mines were not coping with water abstraction during rainy seasons. If re-watering is not carefully managed the rising water table will undoubtedly trigger sinkholes, with catastrophic consequences.
AB - The discovery of gold at Langlaagte led to the development of gold mining in the Far West Rand in 1934. When the mines cease operating, re-watering of the dolomitic compartments will occur as a natural consequence. When water comes to within six metres of the roof of the aquifer, ground instability which will result in the formation of dolines and sinkholes will occur. This will threaten the rail link between Pretoria and Cape Town, as well as the N12 between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom, and also the R28 to the Vaal Industrial area. Dewatering caused the soil which formed the roof of the aquifers to dry. Re-watering will cause this dry, stable roof to become wet and unstable as it already happened in the past when mines were not coping with water abstraction during rainy seasons. If re-watering is not carefully managed the rising water table will undoubtedly trigger sinkholes, with catastrophic consequences.
KW - Far west rand South Africa
KW - Gold operations
KW - Sinkholes
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901849526&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84901849526
SN - 9781632662989
T3 - 23rd International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey, IMCET 2013
SP - 2089
EP - 2094
BT - 23rd International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey, IMCET 2013
PB - Chamber of Mining Engineers of Turkey
T2 - 23rd International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey, IMCET 2013
Y2 - 16 April 2013 through 19 April 2013
ER -