Strengthening decision-making processes to promote water sustainability in the South African mining context: the role of good environmental governance and the law

This thesis examines whether the concept of good (environmental) governance provides a useful tool and legal base for the achievement of water sustainability in South Africa's mining sector. The thesis introduces water pollution as one sustainability challenge that South Africa is facing in its mining sector. The main question is how the legal framework should promote and guide water sustainability through good environmental governance. The question results from the fact that mining is a constant threat to water resources. Mining is one of the leading causes of water pollution which adversely affects human life among others when water contaminated with heavy metals is consumed. Farming, as an essential component of food security, is under constant threat in places like Mpumalanga as soils are rendered less productive by mine-contaminated water infiltrating from topsoil or rising from underground mines. Similarly, polluted water adversely affects biodiversity, thus, destroying ecosystems and vegetation which serve as livestock feed. The analysis of sustainability, governance and good governance theories and specific concepts underpinning them shows that they can inform water protection in the South African mining sector. Sustainability, found to be a broad and interdisciplinary concept, is a necessary guideline for the pursuit of water governance in the mining sector. Despite conflicting perceptions or facts regarding sustainability, it is evident that for water to be preserved, sustainable practices are essential. This requires mining activities to be conducted while always minimising the occurrence of water pollution to ensure water sustainability in the South African mining sector. The thesis also expounds that water sustainability pursued through governance practices is likely to be effective in alleviating or preventing water concerns. Thus, the concept of governance is presented as a tool with which individuals or organisations can achieve effective water sustainability, through decision-making, planning and law enforcement. Governance as a concept is complex, multifaceted and interdisciplinary, but can ensure water sustainability and the wellbeing of members of society who depend on the natural environment. The thesis further highlights that water sustainability is more likely when pursued through governance in its best possible form. The concept of good environmental governance is therefore explained as a theory that can guide effective decisionmaking and serve as a tool at the disposal of interested and affected parties to judge the performance of administrative officials. Effective decision-making processes and its elements are to be promoted through cooperative governance, accountability, transparency and public participation, for effective administrative action. The thesis then analyses the South African legal framework and establishes that water governance in the mining sector is extensively catered for therein. The Constitution sets the water sustainability mandate based on which legislation is enacted, both followed by legal interpretation in the courts. The analysis, however, show that there are various shortcomings relating to the implementation and enforcement of the law through administrative action. Nevertheless, the analysis remains hopeful that water sustainability can still be achieved in the mining sector. Despite the existence of environmental provisions and various attempts to achieve water sustainability, the current South African legal framework still fails to control water pollution effectively. The failure may be attributed to the shortcomings of the said framework, but it is, to a larger extent, a result of poor implementation and enforcement. One main reason is less effective administrative action due to inefficient decision-making processes, which implies that the quality of governance regarding water protection in the mining sector is inadequate. Such findings show that water sustainability could have been achieved or improved if decisionmakers had relied fully on good governance principles to implement and enforce provisions aimed at water protection in the mining sector. Hence, this thesis finds that no new regulation is required; rather it suggests a reform of various provisions within the existing legal framework to improve water sustainability. This is subject to improved implementation and enforcement mechanisms

Solution of the 2D Navier-Stokes equations by a new FE fractional step method.

In this work, a mathematical and numerical approach for the solution of the 2D Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible fluid flow problems is investigated. A new flux conservative technique for the solution of the elliptic part of the equations is formulated. In the new model, the non linear convective terms of the momentum equations are approximated by means of characteristics and the spatial approximations, of equal order, are obtained by polynomials of degree two. The advancing in time is afforded by a fractional step method combined with a suitable stabilization technique so that the Inf-Sup condition is respected. In order to keep down the computational cost, the algebraic systems are solved by an iterative solver (Bi-CGSTAB) preconditioned by means of Schwarz additive scalable preconditioners. The properties of the new method are verified carrying out several numerical tests. At first, some elliptic, parabolic and convective-diffusive problems are solved and discussed, then the results of some time dependent and stationary 2D Navier-Stokes problems (in particular the well known benchmark problem of the natural convection in a square cavity) are discussed and compared to those found in the literature. Another, potentially very important application of the numerical tools developed, regards the solution of 1D Shallow-Water equations. In fact the use of the fractional steps scheme for advancing in time and the finite elements (of different polynomial degrees) for the spatial approximation, makes the above mentioned approach computationally profitable and convenient for real applications. The efficiency and accuracy of the numerical model have been checked by solving a theoretical test. Finally, a brief description of the software suitably developed and used in the tests conclude the thesis

Solution of the 2D Navier-Stokes equations by a new FE fractional step method.

In this work, a mathematical and numerical approach for the solution of the 2D Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible fluid flow problems is investigated. A new flux conservative technique for the solution of the elliptic part of the equations is formulated. In the new model, the non linear convective terms of the momentum equations are approximated by means of characteristics and the spatial approximations, of equal order, are obtained by polynomials of degree two. The advancing in time is afforded by a fractional step method combined with a suitable stabilization technique so that the Inf-Sup condition is respected. In order to keep down the computational cost, the algebraic systems are solved by an iterative solver (Bi-CGSTAB) preconditioned by means of Schwarz additive scalable preconditioners. The properties of the new method are verified carrying out several numerical tests. At first, some elliptic, parabolic and convective-diffusive problems are solved and discussed, then the results of some time dependent and stationary 2D Navier-Stokes problems (in particular the well known benchmark problem of the natural convection in a square cavity) are discussed and compared to those found in the literature. Another, potentially very important application of the numerical tools developed, regards the solution of 1D Shallow-Water equations. In fact the use of the fractional steps scheme for advancing in time and the finite elements (of different polynomial degrees) for the spatial approximation, makes the above mentioned approach computationally profitable and convenient for real applications. The efficiency and accuracy of the numerical model have been checked by solving a theoretical test. Finally, a brief description of the software suitably developed and used in the tests conclude the thesis

An appraisal of factors affecting sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Cameroon

Microfinance was born with the aim of satisfying people excluded from traditional financial services. However, MFIs face a dual objective of serving the poor while remaining sustainable. Highlighting the determinants of the sustainability of MFIs in Cameroon through financial objectives is the subject of this article. Our study aims to answer the question of what are the criteria that allow a Cameroonian EMF to ensure its sustainability. The objective of this work is to understand the factors that are at the base of the lifespan of MFIs in Cameroon. Specifically, it is a question of making a connection between the lifespan of MFIs and their financial objectives. To answer the research question, we hypothesized that the financial goals of MFIs have an impact on their lifespan. Our study required the use of primary data. These data were collected in the field using a questionnaire. Our target population was made up of independent microfinance institutions. A sample of 35 MFIs was selected using the quota method, which consists of setting the desired proportions of companies based on available statistics on the population studied and questioning any company provided that the fixed proportions are respected. Given the small size of our sample and the qualitative nature of our variables, we deemed it necessary to use the chi-square test. This allowed us to arrive at the results according to which for Cameroonian MFIs to be sustainable, it is necessary to take into account financial objectives such as the turnover business, profits, dividends paid and shareholder satisfaction.     Classification JEL: G21, Q56 Paper Type: Empirical ResearchLa microfinance est née dans le but de satisfaire les personnes exclues des services financiers traditionnels. Cependant, les EMF sont confrontés à un double objectif de servir les pauvres tout en restant durables. La mise en lumière des déterminants de la pérennité des EMF au Cameroun à travers les objectifs financiers fait l'objet de cet article. Notre étude vise à répondre à la question de savoir quels sont les critères qui permettent à une EMF camerounais d'assurer sa pérennité. L'objectif de ce travail est de comprendre les facteurs qui sont à la base de la durée de vie des EMF au Cameroun. Concrètement, il s'agit de faire le lien entre la durée de vie des EMF et leurs objectifs financiers. Pour répondre à la question de recherche, nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les objectifs financiers des EMF ont un impact sur leur durée de vie. Notre étude a nécessité l'utilisation de données primaires. Ces données ont été recueillies sur le terrain à l'aide d'un questionnaire. Notre population cible était constituée d'institutions de microfinance indépendantes. Un échantillon de 35 EMF a été sélectionné selon la méthode des quotas qui consiste à fixer les proportions d'entreprises souhaitées en fonction des statistiques disponibles sur la population étudiée et à interroger toute entreprise à condition de respecter les proportions fixées. Compte tenu de la petite taille de notre échantillon et du caractère qualitatif de nos variables, nous avons jugé nécessaire d'utiliser le test du chi carré. Ceci nous a permis d'arriver aux résultats selon lesquels pour que les EMF camerounais soient pérennes, il faut tenir compte d'objectifs financiers tels que le chiffre d'affaires, les bénéfices, les dividendes versés et la satisfaction des actionnaires.     Classification JEL : G21, Q56 Type de papier : Recherche empiriqu

Safou (Dacryodes edulis)

Conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of priority food tree species in sub-Saharan AfricaConservation et utilisation durable des ressources génétiques des espèces ligneuses alimentaires prioritaires de l'Afrique subsaharienneLa publicación de esta hoja divulgativa ha sido financiada con la acción complementaria nº AC-2008-00050-00-00, titulada "Publicación de hojas divulgativas: Uso y gestión sostenible y conservación de especies forestales para la alimentación (ELA) en Africa Subsahariana" solicitada por el Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), investigador responsable: Eduardo Notivo

Pollination and yield responses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) to the foraging activity of Apis mellifera adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at Ngaoundéré (Cameroon)

To determine the apicultural value of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabaceae) and evaluate the Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) activity on its pod and seed yields, the bee foraging and pollinating activities were studied in Ngaoundéré. The experiment was carried out within the University of Ngaoundéré Campus on 210 flowers differentiated in two lots, based on the protection/ornot of plant inflorescences against insect visits. The bee’s seasonal rhythm of activity, its foraging behaviour on flowers, the fructification rate, the number and dry weight of seeds/pod, the percentage ofnormal seeds/pod, and the pod length were evaluated. Results show that A. m. adansonii foraged on plants throughout the whole blooming period. Worker bees intensively and preferably harvested nectar. The greatest mean number of workers foraging simultaneously was 500 per 1000 flowers. The mean foraging speed was 8.67 flowers/min. These findings allow the classification of V. unguiculata as a highly nectariferous bee plant. The number and dry weight of seed/pod, the pod length and thepercentage of normal seeds/pod from unprotected flowers were significantly higher than those of flowers protected from insects. The fructification rates were 62 and 48%, while the percentages ofhealthly seeds were 97.61 and 76.17%, respectively in unprotected and protected inflorescences. The installation of A. m. adansonii colonies close to V. unguiculata field could be recommended to improveits pods and seeds production in the region

Trade and environment: the environmental impacts of the agricultural sector in South Africa

Doctor Legum - LL

Rainfall Variability along the Southern Flank of the Bambouto Mountain(West-Cameroon)

This paper presents the rainfall variability along the southern flank of the Bambouto mountain. Data were collected from rain gauges, while spatial variability was estimated through daily recorded data. Monthly and annual data were used to draw isohyetes via the triangular method, with linear interpolations between observation points. Results show that rainfall is highly variable along the slope. Daily rainfall amounts range from 0.1 mm to 120 mm. Mean yearly rainfall is 1918.1 mm. Rainfall amount does not have a linear relationship with altitude. Dschang is characterised by abnormally high rainfall. Following a North-South direction, rainfall decreases from Dschang to a Melang-Loung-Djuttitsa axis. From this axis, the gradient reverses as rainfall increases rapidly towards the Mélétan mountain. The existence of the relatively dry zone within the hillside seems to be due to the influence of two air masses. The first is cold and very wet which moves from the Mamfe basin to the summit zone where it starts to warm up as it flows towards Melang and Loung where temperature increases. The second comes from the south to south-east monsoon which is also impoverished during the ascension to higher altitudes. It is also likely that a third air mass from the dry harmattan is involved depending on the position of the ITCZ

Studio e dimensionamento di massima dell’impianto elettrico di un agriturismo con generazione fotovoltaica e colonnine di ricarica per veicoli elettrici

Questa Tesi trae origine dallo stage presso lo Studio Tecnico Enargo di Bologna che ho svolto a partire dal 20 febbraio 2018, e che mi ha permesso di accrescere le mie conoscenze in merito al percorso formativo intrapreso. Enargo si occupa della consulenza energetica e della progettazione dei impianti energetici ed elettrici, nella loro sede ho potuto approfondire tali tematiche studiando le tecnologie attuali e le problematiche presentate da questi impianti. In particolare, ho seguito tutto il progetto presentato in questa Tesi, inerente la progettazione di un impianto elettrico con generazione fotovoltaica da 50 kWp collegato alla rete pubblica ed a quattro colonnine di ricarica per veicoli elettrici presso un agriturismo situato in provincia di Bologna

A cost-effective FE method for 2D Navier–Stokes equations

A cost-effective approach to the solution of 2D Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible fluid flow problems is presented. The aim is to reach a good compromise between numerical properties and computational efficiency. In order to achieve the set goal, the nonlinear convective terms are approximated by means of characteristics and spatial approximations of equal order are performed by polynomials of degree two. In this way, the computational kernels are reduced to elliptic ones for which solution very efficient techniques are available. The time-advancing is afforded by a fractional step method combined with a stabilization technique suitably simplified, so that the inf-sup condition is easily overcome. The algebraic systems generated by the new technique are solved by an iterative solver (Bi-CGSTAB), preconditioned by means of a suitable Schwarz additive scalable preconditioner. The properties of the new method have been confirmed from the comparison among the results obtained by it, and those obtained ..