Mphaphuli Mavhungu investigates how rock properties influence drillability across South African platinum and gold-mining lithologies. The study continues the RAMMS-University of Venda collaboration and focuses its current case work on rock from Modikwa Platinum Mine.
Linking properties to drilling performance
The experimental programme considers hardness, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, point-load strength and quartz content. Analysing these properties together can show which combination best explains changes in penetration and drilling response.
That relationship can inform equipment and tooling choices and help avoid treating nominal rock type as a complete description of drillability. It also complements the programme’s UG2 cutting and brittleness studies by approaching the rock-machine interface from a drilling perspective.
Experimental progress
When the planned tests could not be completed at the University of Pretoria, the programme arranged laboratory work through SoilLab. Testing was complete by mid-2026 and most data had been analysed; Mphaphuli was interpreting the results and writing the dissertation.
The MSc is supervised at the University of Venda by Prof Milton Kataka, with graduation anticipated toward the end of 2026 at the latest reporting date.