UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Professor Richard Minnitt

Professor Richard Minnitt
Phone:27( 11) 717 7416
Email:richard.minnitt@wits.ac.za
Organizational Unit:School of Mining Engineering
Room:CM4.431
 

Research Interests

-A consistent focus on sampling of broken ores over the past five years has led to a large area of research endeavour
-Process control in hydrometallurgical plants and the analysis of time series process data using variography and variographic techniques
-Ongoing investigation of sampling parameters and the sampling of Wits-type conglomerate ores
-The influence of geological characteristics on production capacity and their relation to costs and profitability of mining operations
-The nature of linkages between ore reserve estimates and financial valuation of mining projects, and
-Assessing the impact of mineral projects on the economy of developing countries (input - output analyses).

 

Publications

Over the last 10 years
Publications and Book Reviews in peer reviewed journals
Minnitt, R.C.A. and Reimold, W.U. and Colliston, W.P. (1994). The Geology of the Greenlands Complex and selected granite terrains in the southeastern quadrant of the Vredefort Dome: Econ. Geol. Res. Unit, Inf. Circ. 281, Univ. Witwatersrand: 46pp

Minnitt, R.C.A. and Reimold, W.U. (1995). The Greenlands Greenstone Complex. Contribution to the Catalogue of Lithostratigraphic Descriptions, Publ. Council of Geoscience, Pretoria, (in press).

Reimold, W.U. and Minnitt, R.C.A. (1995). Impact-induced shatter cones or sedimentary percussion features in the Klapperkop Formation of the Eastern Transv l S. Afr. J. Geol., revised version submitted September 1995.
Minnitt, R.C.A. and Reimold, W.U. (1995). Impact-produced shatter cones or sedimentary percussion marks Centennial Geocongress 95, Geol. Soc. S. Afr., April 1995, 577-580.

Minnitt, R.C.A. and Cronje, A.P. (1998). Practical implementation of a minerals promotion strategy. A paper presented at Geocongress 1998. 10th July, 1998.

Cawood, F.T. and Minnitt, R.C.A. (1998). Mineral Rights: Information as an alternative to taxation. A paper presented at Geocongress 1998. 10th July, 1998.

Minnitt, R.C.A. (2000). Book Review of Sustainable Development and the Future of Mineral Investment by James Otto and John Cordes: Resources Policy. 26 (2000) 241-243.

Minnitt, R.C.A. (2000). Book Review of South African Minerals Review 1998-1999 by Mineral Energy and Policy Centre: Resources Policy. 26 (2000) 239-241.

Stilwell, L. C. and Minnitt, R. C. A. (2000). Input-output analysis: Its potential application to the mining industry: Jour. S. A. Inst. Min. Metall: Vol 100, No 7. November/December 2000.

L. C. Stilwell, Minnitt, R. C. A., Monson, T. D., and Kuhn, G. (2000). An Input-Output analysis of the impact of mining on the South African economy: Resources Policy Vol. 26 (1), March 2000: 17-30.

Cawood, F. T. and Minnitt, R. C. A. (2001). A new royalty for South African mineral resources: Jour. S. A. Inst. Min. Metall., Volume 101, No 2: March/April 2001: 91-95.

Campbell, G. and Minnitt R.C.A. (2001). Economic Trends in the Platinum-Group Metals Market: Minerals and Energy Volume 16 No 4: 3-12.

Minnitt, R.C.A. (2001). Book Review of World Silver Survey 2000 produced by Gold Fields Mineral Services for the Silver Institute: Resources Policy. 27 (2001) 56-57.

Lilford, E. and Minnitt, R.C.A., 2002. Methodologies in the evaluation of mineral rights: Journal of the South African Institute Mining and Metallurgy, October 2002: 369-384.

Musingwini, C., Minnitt, R.C.A., Phuti, D., and Makwara, F. 2003. Just-in-time development model for a sub-level caving underground mine in Zimbabwe: Journal of the South African Institute Mining and Metallurgy, April 2003: 187-191.

Minnitt, R.C.A., 2003. Cut-off grade determination for the maximum value of a small Wits-type gold mining operation: In: F. Camisani, (Editor) Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Minerals Industries, South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, May 2003: 415-421.

Minnitt, R.C.A. and Assiby-Bonsu, W. 2003. Keynote Address: A tribute to Prof DG Krige for his contributions over a period of more than half a century: In: F. Camisani, (Editor) Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Minerals Industries, South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, May 2003: 405-407.

Musingwini, C., Minnitt, R.C.A., Phuti, D., and Makwara, F. 2003. Just-in-time development model for a sub-level caving underground mine in Zimbabwe: Journal of the South African Institute Mining and Metallurgy, April 2003: 187-191.

Tyler, RM and Minnitt, RCA. 2004. A review of sub-Saharan heavy mineral sands deposits: implications for new projects in southern Africa. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, March, 2004: 89-99.

Lana, C, Gibson, RL, Reimold, WU and Minnitt, RCA. 2004. Geology and geochemistry of a granite-greenstone association in the south-eastern Vredefort dome, South Africa: South African Journal of Geology, Vol. 106, No.4. December 2003: 291-314.

Minnitt, RCA. 2004. Cut-off grade determination for the maximum value of a small Wits-type gold mining operation. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, June, 2004: 227-283.

Lilford, EV and Minnitt, RCA. 2004. A Comparative Study of Valuation Methodologies for Mineral Developments. Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Volume 105, No.1 January 2005: 29-41.

Minnitt, RCA. 2005. An empirical assessment of Gy's Sampling Constants K and Alpha using a broken Rock Model. In: Proceedings of the Exploration, Mine, Met and Environmental Sampling, EMMES 2005. 17p.

Gluck, T., Minnitt, R.C.A., Bothma, C. and Savage, P.V. 2005. Chemical measurement system analysis for a manganese metal production process. In: Proceedings of the Exploration, Mine, Met and Environmental Sampling, EMMES 2005. 19p

Rungan, S V., Cawood FT and Minnitt, RCA. 2005. IN PRESS. Incorporating BEE into the new mineral law framework for the South African mining industry. SAIMM, Volume 105, No. 10 November 2005: 735-744. Kasatuka, C and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2006. Investment and non-commercial risks in developing countries, Journal of SAIMM Volume 106, No 12 December 2006. 845-856.

Minnitt, R.C.A. 2006. Sampling: Impact on Costs and Decision Making. In: Analytical Challenges in Metallurgy- Workshop. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the South African Spectroscopic Society. 23-24 November 2006. 17pp.

Mtegha, H.D., Cawood, F.T. and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2006 National minerals policies and stakeholder participation for broad based development in the southern African development community (SADC). Resources Policy 31 (2006) 231-238.

Minnitt, R.C.A., Goodwin, N., and Stacey, G.G. 2007. Hedging gold production: an analysis of historical South African gains and losses. Journal of SAIMM Volume 107, No. 5. 323-334.

Minnitt, R.C.A. 2007 Sampling: The impact on costs and decision making. Journal of SAIMM, Volume 107, No. 7, July 2007. 451-462.

Minnitt, R.C.A. 2007. Applications of variography to process control. In: Colloquium Proceedings, Mineral Resource Management 2007. South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, held at the South African National Museum of Military history, Saxonwold, 29th-30th March, 2007. 18pp.

De Jager, C. and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2007 Unlocking value in projects through mining economic principles. In: Colloquium Proceedings, Mineral Resource Management 2007. South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, held at the South African National Museum of Military history, Saxonwold, 29th-30th March, 2007. 16pp.

Minnitt, R.C.A., Rice, P.M. and Spangenberg, C. 2007. Part 1: Understanding the Components of the Fundamental Sampling Error: A Key to Good Sampling Practice. In Press. To be published in the School of Mining Engineering issue of the Journal of the SAIMM, 2007.

Minnitt, R.C.A., Rice, P.M. and Spangenberg, C. 2007. Part 2: Experimental Calibration of Sampling Parameters K and Alpha for Gy's Formula by the Sampling Tree Method. In Press. To be published in the School of Mining Engineering issue of the Journal of the SAIMM, 2007.

Minnitt, RCA, Collins, D., Whitten. W., Gay, S., Louwrens, E. and Morrison, R. 2007. Comparison of the liberation size determined by different methods. In Press: to appear in the Proceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Sampling and Blending, Port Alegro, Brazil, October, 2007.

Minnitt, R.C.A. 2007. A simulated broken rock model for sampling parameters k and alpha. In Press: to appear in the Proceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Sampling and Blending, Port Alegro, Brazil, October, 2007.

Minnitt, R.C.A. and Pitard, F.F. 2008. Application of variography to the control of species in material process streams: an iron ore product. Journal of SAIMM Volume 108, No. 2. 109-122.

Minnitt, R. C. A. and Gluck, T. 2008. A chronostatistical approach to hydrometallurgical plant process control. In: Sampling 2008 Conference, The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Publication Series No 4/2008 and CSIRO. 97-112.

Musingwini, C. and Minnitt, R. C. A. 2008. Ranking the efficiency of selected platinum mining methods using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Proceedings of the Third International Platinum Conference: Platinum in Transformation, Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, October 2008. Symposium Series S52. 319-326.

Mtegha, H.D., Cawood, F.T. and Minnitt, R.C.A. (In Press).Comparison of the processes used during the development of the national mineral policies of Tanzania and Namibia. Resource Policy, Submitted in June 2008.

Supervision of Postgraduate Students 1998 to 2008
PhD Studies Malcolm Thurston. 1998. The quantification of uncertainty attached to selected sampling protocols in a kimberlite using a discrete simulation method. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand, pp171. (Thesis was almost completed when I took over the supervision).

Stilwell, L.C., 1999. The impact of mining on the South African economy: An empirical review. Unpublished PhD thesis. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand.241p.

Cawood, F. T. 1999. Determining the optimal rent for South African mineral resources. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand. 221p.

Handley, John. 2000. World gold resources: a global review in space and time. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand. 241p.

Russell, Clarence, Stuart. 2001. A mineral economic study into the optimal utilization of defunct quarries and closure in the Durban metropolitan area. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand. 200p.

Marion Walker. 2003. Sustaining Comparative Advantages: The Role of the Mining Inputs Cluster in the Future Economic Growth and Development of South Africa. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand, pp255.

Lilford, Eric Vernon. 2004. Advanced Considerations, Applications And Methodologies In The Valuation Of Mineral Properties. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand, pp306.

Seeger, Mike. (2008). Development of a Game Plan for African based Mining Ventures. PhD Thesis University of the Witwatersrand. P/T PhD. Completed early 2008, passed and graduated.

Ramontja, Thebedi. (2008). Impact and Management of Downscaling at South Africa's Gold Mining Industry. P/T PhD. Completed mid-2007 passed, graduation in December 2008.

Musingwini, Cuthbert. (2008). Determining economically optimal inter-level and raise spacing for shallow-dipping tabular gold reefs. P/T PhD. In progress.

Ian Robinson 2006. The demise of the Mining House system and the globalization of the South African mining industry. P/T PhD. In progress.

MSc Studies Ramontja, Thibedi. 1996. Trends and developments in South African dimension stone industry. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp 121.

Grobler, Francois. 1997. The increasing role of direct reduced iron (DRI) in global steelmaking. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp 113.

Amponsah-Dacosta, Francis, 1997. Cost-Effective Strategies for Dust Control in Open-Cast Coal Mines. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp 116.

Chitseke, Tichafa. 1998. A mineral rights policy framework for promotion of the small-scale mining industry in South Africa. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp 87.

Oncel, Ozkan, 1998. Reformation of the gold sector in the Turkish economy. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp116.

Seeger, Michael. 1999. Identification, quantification and simulation of risks facing greenfields mining projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, 191p.

Woodhall, Mike. 1999. Managing the mining life cycle: Mineral resource management in deep level gold mining. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp65.

Mahomed, Shiraz. 1999. A techno-economic study of different comminution circuits for processing various ore types of a nickel ore deposit : a comparative approach. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, pp212.

Kemp, Gerard. 2000 Benchmarking: A quantitative approach to improving productivity in South African gold mines. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, 83p.

Mauve, Anton. 2000. The platinum market: fundamentals affecting supply and demand. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, 134p.

Stewart, A. D.H. 2001. The use of computer simulation as a tool for managing design risk in mining projects. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, 103p.

O'Brein, Michael. 2001. Geology and economic geology of the Rietkuil Syncline. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, 84p.

Engelbrecht, N. A. 2001 Deregulating S A deep level gold mines. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, pp 122.

Lilford, Eric. 2002. Methodologies in the valuation of mineral rights. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp 140..

Woodhall, Mike. 2002. Managing the mining life cycle: Mineral resource management in deep level gold mining. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp79.

Ghoussias, Dino. 2003. A pre-feasibility study of the Kloof Eastern Boundary area project, Kloof Gold Mine. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp100.

Valenzuela, Pedro. 2004. Analyses of Heterotopic Sampling Campaigns for the Global Estimation of a Gold Deposit. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp103.

Wimberger, Manfred. 2004. Determining the breakeven extraction factor on the Merensky Reef at varying cut-off grades a manageable factor. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp 104.

De Jager, Carel. (2005). Risk identification, quantification, mitigation and control through good Minerals Resource Management and Mining and Minerals Economics. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp186.

Visser, Jurgens. 2005. Ore body optimisation of deep level gold mines. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp101.

Damarupurshad, Ashok. 2002. Fundamental changes in the diamond industry and an analysis of the policy, economic, technological, and social factors that are shaping the future of the industry. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp239.

Erasmus, Johannes Francois. 2002. A perspective on the South African export coal industry: A comparative cost analysis for the period 1984 to 1996. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp113.

Morgan, Craig. (2005). Analyzing Spatial Data via Geostatistical Methods. MSc by Research Co-supervisor with Paul Fatti. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp279.

Kasatuka, Celestin. (2005). Resolution of post-investment conflicts between Government and Investors in term of political or policy Risk in South African mining Industry. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand Pp159. Robins, Steven. 2006. The Quantification of grade Uncertainty and associated risk and their influence on pit optimisation for the Sadiola Deep sulphide prefeasibility project. MSc, Thesis. University of the Witwatersrand, Pp139.

Tshisekedi, Jean. 2007. Energy Consumption Standards and Costs in the South African Mining Industry. F/T MSc, Completed, passed will graduate in December 2008.

Investigational Topics
Andre Johnson, (2004). An investigation into possible errors in some variables affecting Gold Called For (GCF) on a South African Gold Mine and some possible solutions to these errors. MEng.

Carl Rose (2004). A study of the ndenk reef and its association with other reefs at Beatrix 3 shaft. MEng.

Karel de Lange, (2004). Quantification of Platinum Group Metal enrichment in the fines associated with platinum mining. MEng.

Nick Horswell, (2004). The Effect of the proposed Revenue-based Mineral Royalty on exploitation of South African Nickel/PGM and Iron ore deposits. MEng.

Olugbenga Ojo, (2004). A Comparison of Mineral Based and Non-Mineral Based Economy in the SADC Region from 1990 - 2000. MEng.

Mpumzi Bonga, (2004). An over view of South African ferrous minerals with specific reference to steel iron and manganese. MEng.

Logan Nair. 2007. Restart mining for shaft on care and maintenance. 60pp.

Edson Machado. 2007 The definition and characterization of ore domains for blasting and blending designs at Venetia mine. 164pp.

Isaka Jacob 2007. Geological modeling and resource estimation for Mabe Prospects, Geita Gold Mine, Tanzania. 44pp.

Terry Adam. 2007. Ore body modeling of the V l and Mizpah Reefs at Moab Khotsong Mine. 46pp.

Thabo Balopi. 2007. Kriging versus inverse distance weighting of grade control data at Phoenix Mine, Tati Nickel Mining Company, Botswana. 30pp.

Edwin Goagoseb. 2007. Estimating U3O8 in the Central Zone of the Rossing deposit by constraining interpolation to granite intrusion. 37pp.

Segran Pillay. 2007 How Mineral Economics derives company strategy: The case of the South African platinum sector. 30pp.

Thompson, C.O., 1995. The consumption of inorganic pigments by the South African paint industry an overview. Unpublished MSc thesis. 77p.

Ramontja, T., 1996. Trends and developments in South African dimension stone industry. Unpublished MSc thesis.121p.

Chitseke T., 1998. A policy framework for the small-scale mining sector: mineral rights. Unpublished MSc thesis. 87p.

Andre Johnson, (2004). An investigation into possible errors in some variables affecting Gold Called For (GCF) on a South African Gold Mine and some possible solutions to these errors. MEng.

Rose, Carl. (2004). A study of the ndenk reef and its association with other reefs at Beatrix 3 shaft. MEng.

de Lange, Karel. (2004). Quantification of Platinum Group Metal enrichment in the fines associated with platinum mining. MEng.

Horswell, Nick. (2004). The Effect of the proposed Revenue-based Mineral Royalty on exploitation of South African Nickel/PGM and Iron ore deposits. MEng.

Ojo, Olugbenga. (2004). A Comparison of Mineral Based and Non-Mineral Based Economy in the SADC Region from 1990 - 2000. MEng.

Bonga, Mpumzi. (2004). An over view of South African ferrous minerals with specific reference to steel iron and manganese. MEng.

Mobwano, MS. Maximizing the value of the Waterberg Coalfield

Kruger, HA. Optimisation of a deep level gold mine.

Smoak, JO. The anatomy and development of the Western deep Levels Mine: An empirical study on the nature and behaviour of mine development.

Chtoki Mohanlal, K. Rustenburg Merensky Resources.

Robertson, KP. Economic viability of 10-Shaft Driefontein

Tjaritje, B. Minerals and Metals Trading: A mine to market approach.

Projects or consulting engineering work over the last 5 years
Consulting for the Makonjw n-Imperial Mining Company (Pty) Limited on a small open cast gold mine in the Barberton Mountain Land. Work involved statistical analysis of sample data, block model of ore body, ore reserve calculations, structural interpretation of ore body, and financial valuation of heap-leach operation to run concurrently with milling operations.

Assessment of mineral rights in the SA LANDS portfolio and their valuation. Report prepared for Kalahari Exploration, Gaborone.

Potential for open-cast gold mining in the Wedza greenstone belt, Eastern Zimbabwe

The geology of the Lobatse Volcanic Group, South East Districts, Republic of Botswana. A report prepared for Kalahari Exploration, Gaborone.

A Technical Report in respect of Rovic Diamonds (Pty) Limited, prepared for Botswana Diamondfields Incorporated

Due Diligence Review and Valuation Study of the Mineral Assets of Messina Investments Limited, a report prepared for Becksham Corporation.

Independent Consultant Report on Keygold, a report prepared for Simmer and Jack mines, Limited.

An assessment of the AVGOLD BUSINESS PLAN (September 1997) for Eastern Transv l Consolidated Mines Limited.

Mineral Rights Valuation over Certain Portions of Elandsfontein 108 IR, Airport Park Township. A report prepared for the Greater Johannesburg Transitional Metropolitan Council.

A Valuation of Mines in the Corsyn Group, Zimbabwe. A report prepared for Lonrho South Africa Limited.

Transv l Gold Mining Estates (Pty) Limited. Competent Persons Report prepared for Simmer and Jack Mines Limited.

Impact of the Volume Variance Effect at the Mazoe Mine, Zimbabwe.

Presenter at course entitled South African Mineral Resources, through Centre for Mining and Energy.

Provision of expert opinion on the Governments proposed developments in the Manganese industry for BHP Billiton.

Compilation of a report entitled Mining and Minerals White Paper for the Namibian Government for Minerals and Energy Policy Centre.

Compilation of a report entitled A Comparison of the belt Cut and Hammer sampling techniques at Sasol Coal for SASOL.

Compilation of report on Research Topic 5. Mining Minerals and Sustainable Development for MMSD South Africa.

A Statistical Analysis Of Borehole Data From The South Gold Project for Mr John Cruise, South Gold Project.

ElCaravan open pit optimisation study for Zaruma (Pty) Limited

Competent Persons Letter Audit of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for Simmer and Jack Mines for Cheston Minerals (Pty) Limited.

Preparation of a report entitled Sampling procedures and manganese grade variability for Manganese Metal Corporation, Nelspruit.

Sampling Nomograms for the Lily and TGME Gold Mines for Cheston Minerals (Pty) Limited, Nelspruit.

Calibration of Manganese Ores and Evaluation of the Current Sampling Protocol at the Wessels Mine, Hotazel for Manganese Metal Corporation, Nelspruit.

Competent persons report on mineral resource and mineral reserve statement for Eastern Goldfields Limited

Analysis of micro-diamonds in the Kao diamond pipe, Lesotho for Mr G Potgieter, Seriousview Trading (Pty) Limited, PO Box 136, Melrose Arch. 2076. Johannesburg. South Africa.

Compilation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Statement for Eastern Goldfields Limited, for Eastern Goldfields Limited

An analysis of two data sets from the Uramin Uranium Project, Namibia for Mr Geoff Campbell Consulting Geophysicist, GAP Geophysics (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 2347, Saxonwold 2132 Compilation of a report entitled An Assessment of the Mineral Resources in the Puma Project Area and a report entitled An Assessment of the Mineral Resources in the High Grade Zone within the Puma Project, an Addendum to the first report for Puma Gold Pty Limited

Compilation of two reports entitled Application of Variography to Understanding and Controlling Variability in Process Operations and Short-Range Variography as a Method of Understanding and Controlling Variability in Process Operations (An Addendum To a Report Entitled Application of Variography to Understanding and Controlling Variability in Process Operations) for Manganese Metal Company, Nelspruit. Review of Sampling Practice at RBM with an Appendix: Applications of Variography to Fe(t) Chloride Slag for Richards Bay Minerals.