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Theophilus Clavell Davies
Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001 Nsukka, Nigeria

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Journal article
Published: 10 February 2020 in Minerals
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The Mintails Mogale Gold (MMG) and the Rand Uranium (RU) are two large-scale mining consortiums active in re-mining old tailings dams and dumps in Krugersdorp and are a source of mine discharge feed into the Krugersdorp Game Reserve (KGR). This has resulted in a noticeable accumulation of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) over a number of years. Efforts were implemented to interpret the concentration levels of PHEs in soils of the study areas of which a total of 36 georeferenced soil samples were collected (in triplicate) from the MMG, RU and KGR, including samples from farmlands and waterways adjacent to the mining sites. Samples were then analysed by both inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for 36 elements. From the 36 elements of this study, detailed evaluations of the occurrence of 12 selected elements were discussed. The geochemical landscape at the KGR is shown to be in flux. The major mediating influences on the behaviour of As, Co, Cu, Hg and Pb, as they enter the KGR largely in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD), are the geological substrate (mostly in carbonate form). Analysis of the soils showed high levels of contamination for As and Co in ppm. The mean maximum of As ranged from (5.00–170.30) with the highest level found in the Krugersdorp site. The mean maximum of Co ranged from (46.00–102.30) with the highest level found in MMG. All of these values were well above the recommended maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) values, i.e., As (15–20) and Co (20–50). The mean maximum values for Pb (12.40–92.30); Cu (18.50–115.30) and Hg (12.40–92.30) content in surface soils of all four segments studied falls well within the MAC range for agricultural soils i.e., Cu (60–150); Hg (0.5–5) and Pb (20–300).

ACS Style

Michael Shapi; Maryam Amra Jordaan; Devandren Subramoney Nadasan; Theophilus C. Davies; Emmanuel Chirenje; Mpumelelo Dube; Mammusa R. Lekoa. Analysis of the Distribution of Some Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa. Minerals 2020, 10, 151 .

AMA Style

Michael Shapi, Maryam Amra Jordaan, Devandren Subramoney Nadasan, Theophilus C. Davies, Emmanuel Chirenje, Mpumelelo Dube, Mammusa R. Lekoa. Analysis of the Distribution of Some Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa. Minerals. 2020; 10 (2):151.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michael Shapi; Maryam Amra Jordaan; Devandren Subramoney Nadasan; Theophilus C. Davies; Emmanuel Chirenje; Mpumelelo Dube; Mammusa R. Lekoa. 2020. "Analysis of the Distribution of Some Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa." Minerals 10, no. 2: 151.

Short communication
Published: 05 September 2019 in Scientific African
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Medical Geology is an emerging interdisciplinary study on the connection between geological materials and processes and the health of man and animals. In this science, the principal aim of a formal curriculum would be to equip students with knowledge and skills on the interpretation of the geological impact on geographical distribution of diseases in the environment, and on human and animal health. Such knowledge would no doubt contribute immensely towards better diagnoses and therapy for many environmental health related issues that continue to plague the African people. Africa's unique geoenvironmental and pedological condition gives added relevance to such studies, underlining the need for geoscience and public health students in Africa to apprise themselves with the principles and applications of this study in their pre-professional training. In this paper, robust curricular M.Sc. programmes in Medical Geology are proposed for African geoscience institutions. A field based and project oriented curriculum format is advocated for each programme, with the objective of providing a vibrant learning environment that would enhance student development. But the design is also flexible, rendering the programmes adaptable to various didactic circumstances, such as the specific scientific backgrounds of candidates to be admitted into each programme, and the potential employment situation likely to be encountered upon graduation. It is recognised that to maximise the benefits of such programmes, entering students must have a background in the natural sciences, including basic knowledge of geological materials and geological processes; and if necessary, undertake at least a solid semester of elementary geochemistry (theory and laboratory work), since this discipline embodies the very foundations upon which the subject of Medical Geology is built. The modules provide extended enquiry-based investigations that employ real geochemical data sets, epidemiological records, public health statistics and visualisations, as well as performance assessments that provide evidence of Medical Geology knowledge and enquiry strategies seldom captured in traditional curriculum formats. At a time when African universities and research institutions are encouraging interdisciplinary studies, and new correlations between the geological environment and health continue to be discovered and interpreted around the Continent, the introduction of graduate programmes in Medical Geology seems all too appropriate and timely.

ACS Style

T.C. Davies. A Medical Geology curriculum for African geoscience institutions. Scientific African 2019, 6, e00131 .

AMA Style

T.C. Davies. A Medical Geology curriculum for African geoscience institutions. Scientific African. 2019; 6 ():e00131.

Chicago/Turabian Style

T.C. Davies. 2019. "A Medical Geology curriculum for African geoscience institutions." Scientific African 6, no. : e00131.

Review
Published: 12 October 2017 in Geosciences
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It is well recognized that the mining industry in South Africa is highly rated for its substantial contribution to the country’s economic growth, including employment and infrastructural development. It is also known that mining and ore processing activities potentially pose a severe threat to public health and environmental well-being, in the way operations are carried out, mine wastes are disposed of (in dumps), local communities are relocated, mine management and the mining community, in general, perceive established environmental standards and etiquette. This paper examines ethical practices and norms in the South African mining industry, with particular reference to the management of tailings dams. We analyse the modes of articulation of the country’s regulatory instruments for tailings management, and review the corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach of leading mining companies. Despite decades of research and resulting recommendations on tailings management, it is concluded that the current legislations are largely ineffective, that the level of adherence by mine management and the mining community is low, and that the mechanisms for compliance monitoring is weak. New perspectives on legislative issues for unsolved problems in tailings handling are put forward, and directions for future research, indicated.

ACS Style

Tobius Thobile Poswa; Theophilus Clavell Davies. The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa. Geosciences 2017, 7, 101 .

AMA Style

Tobius Thobile Poswa, Theophilus Clavell Davies. The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa. Geosciences. 2017; 7 (4):101.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tobius Thobile Poswa; Theophilus Clavell Davies. 2017. "The Nature and Articulation of Ethical Codes on Tailings Management in South Africa." Geosciences 7, no. 4: 101.

Journal article
Published: 16 April 2016 in Journal of the Geological Society of India
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Mining activities have been undertaken for over 95 years in Enyigba area of southeastern Nigeria. In this area, thirty-six (36) trace metals including those that are essential for plant and animal nutrition have been analyzed from forty-nine (49) soil samples that were collected from three Pb-Zn mines. The aim of the analysis is to assess the level of contamination of the soils caused by mining activities. Potentially harmful elements which are commonly associated with Pb-Zn mines were of special interest. Such elements included Pb, Zn, As, Cd, Mn, Fe, Se, Sb, Cu and Bi. Generally, the samples analyzed showed elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and Cr when compared with concentrations documented in the international agricultural soil standards. Geo-accumulation indices of soils that occur closer to the mines indicate moderate to extreme level of contamination in Pb and moderate levels in Cd. Enrichment factor (EF) showed very high enrichment to extremely high enrichment in Pb. Cd and Zn enrichment were found to be significant and moderate respectively. Conversely, the geo-accumulation indices for soil samples located away from the mines indicate moderate to heavy contamination in Pb but had moderate to significant enrichment in Cd and moderate in Bi and Cr. In general, soil quality all around the mines were found to have deteriorated as revealed by the pollution load index. Thus the results of this study call for immediate remedial measures to be initiated. In addition, miners and local communities living around the mines need to be enlightened about the dangers of exposure to these heavy metal contaminants.

ACS Style

Smart C. Obiora; Anthony Chukwu; Sadrack F. Toteu; Theophilus C. Davies. Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils around lead (Pb)-zinc (Zn) mining areas in Enyigba, southeastern Nigeria. Journal of the Geological Society of India 2016, 87, 453 -462.

AMA Style

Smart C. Obiora, Anthony Chukwu, Sadrack F. Toteu, Theophilus C. Davies. Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils around lead (Pb)-zinc (Zn) mining areas in Enyigba, southeastern Nigeria. Journal of the Geological Society of India. 2016; 87 (4):453-462.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Smart C. Obiora; Anthony Chukwu; Sadrack F. Toteu; Theophilus C. Davies. 2016. "Assessment of heavy metal contamination in soils around lead (Pb)-zinc (Zn) mining areas in Enyigba, southeastern Nigeria." Journal of the Geological Society of India 87, no. 4: 453-462.