Over the past decade, there has been a substantial decline in the standard of research papers produced by South African scientists on mine water management matters, asserts Tshwane University of Technology mine water management research chair Dr Chris Wolkersdorfer.

He says that research papers often lack the chemical, physical and hydrogeochemical background required by international research standards.

Wolkersdorfer therefore calls on South African scientific researchers to conduct proper literature studies and improve the overall standard of their research on mine water management matters.

“This tendency is not a South African problem only. However, taking into consideration the weakness of the economy at present, it is critical to build a highly effective and knowledgeable group of mine water experts in South Africa to ensure that expert knowledge does not have to be imported at great cost from the US, Australia or Europe,” he contends.

Wolkersdorfer also notes that sampling procedures often fall short of international standards with regard to the preservation, filtering, storage or simultaneous on-site measurement of relevant parameters.

“Very often, the interpretation of the researchers’ data is basic, if the data is even interpreted at all,” he adds.

Wolkersdorfer comments that many papers published and reports submitted by researchers use inadequate multivariate statistical methods or chemical-thermodynamic modelling to interpret the data.

He further states that comprehensive literature studies, including international papers and books, are often omitted from these local studies.

Wolkersdorfer remarks that this has all resulted in the creation of misconceptions about mine water in South Africa, which results in inappropriate and unsatisfactory remediation or treatment of mine water.

He stresses that, to deal with these challenges, the education and training of students and researchers have to be improved dramatically and a core group of genuine mine water experts has to be formed to correctly advise students and researchers to ensure they are provided with accurate information and that the correct scientific terms are used in academic papers and forums.