Quantitative evaluation of minerals in coal deposits in the Witbank and Highveld Coalfields, and the potential impact on acid mine drainage

Pinetown, Kaydy; Ward, Colin R.; Westhuizen, W.A. van der

doi:10.1016/j.coal.2006.02.013

Cited by 71 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The inferred chemical composition of the feed coal ash, interpreted from the XRD data [31], is also shown in Table 3. As with other studies of South African coals using these techniques [27,28], the inferred composition is close to that obtained by actual ash analysis, confirming the validity of the quantitative XRD data.…”

Section: Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristicssupporting

confidence: 71%

“…As discussed more fully in the literature [1,26], the bassanite (CaSO 4 .½H 2 O) in the LTA is thought to be the product of interaction between organicallyassociated Ca and S in the coal during the low-temperature ashing process. Similar mineralogy has been found in a number of other coals from the Witbank and Highveld coalfields [27,28]. The presence of up to around 0.1% Ca, up to 0.6% Ti and possibly traces of Mg is also indicated in the macerals, especially the vitrinite macerals, of similar South African coals from light-element electron microprobe studies of the individual organic components [28], using techniques first described by Bustin et al [29,30].…”

Section: Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Mineralogical and chemical studies of such materials associated with Highveld and Witbank coals show a wide range of variation, depending on lithology. For example, Pinetown et al [27] show quartz ranging from 30% to 80%, 5 to 25% feldspar (mainly the K-feldspar mineral microcline), 5 to 50% kaolinite and up to 15% illite and illite/smectite in such rocks, together with minor proportions of calcite, dolomite, siderite and pyrite.…”

Section: Modes Of Mineral Occurrencementioning

confidence: 99%

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Behaviour of coal mineral matter in sintering and slagging of ash during the gasification process

Matjie

French

Ward

et al. 2011

Fuel Processing Technology

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The mineral matter in typical feed coals used in South African gasification processes and the ash derived from gasifying such coals have been investigated using a variety of mineralogical, chemical and electron microscope techniques. The mineral matter in the feed coals consists mainly of kaolinite, with minor proportions of quartz, illite, dolomite, calcite and pyrite plus traces of rutile and phosphate minerals. The calcite and dolomite occur in veins within the vitrinite macerals, and are concentrated in the floats fraction after density separation. Some Ca and Ti also appear to be present as inorganic elements associated with the organic matter. Electron microscope studies show that the gasification ash is typically made up of partly altered fragments of non-coal rock, bonded together by a slag-like material containing anorthite and mullite crystals and iron oxide particles, with interstitial vesicular glass of calcic to iron-rich composition. Ash formation and characteristics thus appear to be controlled by reactions at the particle scale, allowing the different types of particles within the feed coal to interact with each other in a manner controlled mainly by the modes of mineral occurrence. Integration of such techniques provides an improved basis for evaluating ash-forming processes, based on quantitative phase identification, bulk and particle chemistry, and the geometric forms in which the different phases occur.

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Section: Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristicssupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Mineralogical and Chemical Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Modes Of Mineral Occurrencementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Behaviour of coal mineral matter in sintering and slagging of ash during the gasification process

Matjie

French

Ward

et al. 2011

Fuel Processing Technology

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“…1) coals, provide a good indication of the likely concentrations of the trace elements in South African coals. Pinetown et al (2007) investigated the quantitative evaluation of mineral matter in coal deposits in the Witbank and Highveld coalfields, and linked this data to the potential for acid mine drainage generation. Malaza (2013) discusses the trace element geochemistry of coals of the Soutpansberg and Limpopo coalfields (Fig.…”

Section: Trace Element Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

South Africa's coalfields — A 2014 perspective

Hancox

Götz

2014

International Journal of Coal Geology

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Highlights• South Africa's Coalfields are presented.• The role of Gondwanan coals as palaeoclimate archives is stated.• Future research fields include palynology, sequence stratigraphy, basin fill. AbstractFor well over a century and a half coal has played a vital role in South Africa's economy and currently bituminous coal is the primary energy source for domestic electricity generation, as well as being the feedstock for the production of a substantial percentage of the country's liquid fuels. It furthermore provides a considerable source of foreign revenue from exports.Based on geographic considerations, and variations in the sedimentation, origin, formation, distribution and quality of the coals, 19 coalfields are generally recognised in South Africa. This paper provides an updated review of their exploration and exploitation histories, general geology, and coal seam nomenclature and coal qualities. Within the various coalfields autocyclic variability is the norm rather than the exception, whereas allocyclic variability is much less so, and allows for the correlation of genetically related sequences. During the mid-Jurassic break up of Gondwana most of the coals bearing successions were intruded by dolerite. These intrusions are important as they may cause devolatilisation and burning of the coal, create structural disturbances and related seam correlation problems, and difficulties in mining operations.Whilst many of the coalfields have been extensively explored and exploited, those in the north of the country have until recently received much less attention. Four coalfields occur partly or wholly within the Limpopo Province of South Africa and these may contain as much as 70% of South Africa's remaining coal resources. These coalfields in particular have been the focus of recent exploration due to the presence of large coking and thermal coal resources, as well as for their coal bed methane potential, resources that need to be unlocked regards to maximum benefit and minimal environmental degradation. South Africa's coals have been also recently addressed as palaeoclimate archives recording Gondwana's postglacial climate amelioration by major changes in land plant communities, and proving high-resolution palyno-stratigraphy as a crucial tool to decipher climate change during the Permo-Carboniferous. This aspect of the coals of South Africa is also reviewed.

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“…These circumstances explain the very shallow position of the coal seams along the northern margin of this coalfield, their depth increasing southward in congruence with a slight southerly dip. Up to five separate bituminous coal seams are present, of which all but the lower two are potentially acid generating (Pinetown et al, 2007).…”

Section: Coal Miningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of Environmental Impacts from Coal Mining in the Upper Olifants River Catchment as a Function of Age and Scale

Hobbs

Oelofse

Rascher

2008

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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Effective water resource governance in a water scarce environment such as South Africa is a strategic issue in national sustainable development priorities. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the largest liabilities of the mining industry due to its inherent threat to water resources, human health and the environment. Against the background of evolving water governance in South Africa, three examples are explored to reflect the management of AMD in the upper Olifants River catchment. The Brugspruit Water Pollution Control Works shows the scale of historic liabilities faced by the state, as well as the challenge of effectively addressing AMD within a resource-poor environment. The Controlled Discharge Scheme takes advantage of the natural assimilative capacity of the upper Olifants River system during high flow conditions to effect the controlled discharge of AMD. The Emalahleni Water Reclamation Plant exemplifies the successful initiative by large and well-resourced mining houses to achieve engineered sustainable mine water management.

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Quantitative evaluation of minerals in coal deposits in the Witbank and Highveld Coalfields, and the potential impact on acid mine drainage

Cited by 71 publications

References 13 publications

Behaviour of coal mineral matter in sintering and slagging of ash during the gasification process

Behaviour of coal mineral matter in sintering and slagging of ash during the gasification process

South Africa's coalfields — A 2014 perspective

Management of Environmental Impacts from Coal Mining in the Upper Olifants River Catchment as a Function of Age and Scale

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