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Thovhedzo Gcuda
Lecturer, Geotechnical and Rock Engineering| University of the Witwatersrand
Presentation:
Optimized Waste Dump Design: A Dual Strategy for Reducing Rehabilitation Costs and Deterring Illegal Mining
- Integrated Design Principles: What specific geotechnical and design parameters are most critical in an “optimized” waste dump for achieving both long-term stability and cost-effective rehabilitation?
- Designing for Deterrence: Beyond physical barriers, what specific design features can render a waste dump inherently unattractive or unfeasible for illegal miners?
- Regulatory Alignment & Social License: How can these advanced design concepts be effectively communicated to regulators to streamline approvals? How do they contribute to a stronger social license to operate within local communities?
- Technology & Future Innovations: What emerging technologies can further enhance the design process to better achieve these dual objectives of cost reduction and security?
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speaker profile
Thovhedzo Gcuda
Lecturer, Geotechnical and Rock Engineering | University of the Witwatersrand
- Integrated Design Principles: What specific geotechnical and design parameters are most critical in an “optimized” waste dump for achieving both long-term stability and cost-effective rehabilitation?
- Designing for Deterrence: Beyond physical barriers, what specific design features can render a waste dump inherently unattractive or unfeasible for illegal miners?
- Regulatory Alignment & Social License: How can these advanced design concepts be effectively communicated to regulators to streamline approvals? How do they contribute to a stronger social license to operate within local communities
- Technology & Future Innovations: What emerging technologies can further enhance the design process to better achieve these dual objectives of cost reduction and security?
about
Thovhedzo Gcuda
Thovhedzo is a seasoned Professional Geotechnical and Rock Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the Mining and Minerals Industry for Platinum and coal. She is the founder of DRT Global Geotechnical Consultants and serves as a Lecturer at Wits University. Her expertise encompasses the design, implementation, and management of underground tunnel support systems and geotechnical waste rock dump slopes.
Thovhedzo’s technical proficiency is evident in her practical application of advanced research and design principles.She is deeply passionate about youth development and education, dedicating her efforts to empowering young people with essential skills and knowledge. Thovhedzo actively inspires and nurtures future generations through her multiple professional roles: as a Lecturer at Wits University, a National Council Member for SANIRE, and a member of the SAIMM Young Professionals Council (YPC) graduate program sub-committee. Her current research focuses on two critical areas: how optimized waste dump design can reduce rehabilitation costs and deter associated illegal mining, and the optimization of cable bolt support by determining appropriate pretension for different ground conditions to prevent
massive falls of ground, thereby saving lives and protecting infrastructure.
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