Research has shown that students have difficulties in understanding topographic maps and landforms associated with contour patterns and therefore have problems in reading and interpreting topographic maps and relating these 2-dimensional representa-tions to a real 3-dimensional environment. However, maps are a fundamental tool for understanding geographical concepts and solving geographical problems. Current research indicates that this is not uniquely a South African problem and various at-tempts have been made to address this problem such as the use of videos, models and fieldtrips – each with their own limita-tions and difficulties. Nevertheless, the ability to visualize in 3-dimensions from a 2-dimensional representation is an essential skill in understanding and interpreting topographical maps. To address the problem of 3-D visualisation, an augmented reality sandbox (AR-Sandbox) was introduced to a Geography classroom, to Grade 11 students at a Secondary school in Johannes-burg, South Africa. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of using the AR-Sandbox to enhance the learning of – and improve the learner's performance – in mapwork, and thereby address the problems experienced with 3-D visualisation. The results of the pre-test and post-intervention test are presented and show that the AR-Sandbox is an effective tool for en-hancing an understanding of landscapes rather an improving performance in the construction of cross-sectional profiles.
For underground mining, efficient groundwater management is one of the critical mining economics components. The region of interest, known as Tharisa Mine, is situated on the western limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, which is home to South Africa’s premier platinum-group metal resources. This work aimed to provide the findings from the investigation and imaging of the near-subsurface hydrogeological architecture in a shallow profile using stable isotopes of water (18O and 2H) and radioactive water isotopes (3H). Regarding isotope data, 18O varied from −3.5 to 1.5‰; 2H from −24 to 4.7‰; and 3H from 2.0 to 3.4 T.U. Utilizing combined geophysical techniques, the results were verified. Additionally, the geophysical methods, including seismic refraction tomography, multichannel analysis of surface waves, electrical resistivity tomography, and magnetics, helped identify the fluid’s pathways and lineaments during migration to verify the isotope results. The groundwater inflow volumes into the open pit were initially determined by integrating the following findings: the delineation of fracture systems/zones and fluid migration pathways; mining activities enhance the storage and transmission ability of the aquifer; and the main sources of water in the mine include mixing of surface and deep water sources, recycling of water possibly via lineaments, and tailings dam seepages.
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