This article discusses the many aspects and meanings of the term “asset management,” including the importance of considering people (water industry employees) as assets, evaluating and repairing system infrastructure, managing meters to collect revenues, water pressure management to prolong system life, maintaining storage facilities, building new structures, and implementing increased security measures.

A combination of numerical and empirical design methods are employed for geotechnical input to mine design at Bulyanhulu, a narrow vein underground mining operation in Tanzania. Longhole open stoping, drift-and-fill, and Alimak stoping methods are currently in use. Geotechnical design methods for longhole open stoping were refined and documented in a procedure to achieve a standardised approach. The procedure incorporates streamlined methods for data collection to make the best use of diamond drill hole logging, geological, and geotechnical mapping. Methods of back-analysis are also incorporated in the geotechnical designs. In order to be effective, the procedure was implemented concurrently with a broader improvement project that focused on all aspects of the geotechnical engineering systems and processes. The project aimed to improve and streamline all geotechnical functions, to develop sustainable work processes within the geotechnical group and integration with other technical groups. This paper discusses the implementation of the improvement programme and the impact on the success of geotechnical designs. The programme addresses group organisation, procedures and management plans, geotechnical analysis, reporting, and the implementation of geotechnical design into mine planning. A discussion is included on the measurement of geotechnical designs using monitoring and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).

This article discusses how asset management plays a large part in the ability to respond to all types of emergencies. The importance of utility resources to respond to an emergency are discussed, along with an Emergency Response Plan for the utility, a good public relations program with the customers, and a strong relationship with the local media. Nurturing human assets is also discussed.

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