Tunnelling projects in Southern Africa.

179 tunnels have been built in South Africa since 1970: 47 water tunnels, 56 associated with dams and pumped storage schemes, 3 road tunnels, 55 railway tunnels and 18 service tunnels. Some of the larger projects are the Orange-Fish, Jonkershoek, Steenbras, Palmiet, Huguenot and Hex River tunnels in Cape Province, the Inanda Wiggins, Drakensburg and Blackhill to Richards Bay tunnels in Natal and the Lesotho highlands water project. Most tunnels have been driven using tunnel boring machines, with shield driving equipment only being necessary for 8 tunnels. Future tunnelling will probably be limited mainly to water resource development projects. Tables are presented giving details of existing and planned tunnels in South Africa.
179 tunnels have been built in South Africa since 1970: 47 water tunnels, 56 associated with dams and pumped storage schemes, 3 road tunnels, 55 railway tunnels and 18 service tunnels. Some of the larger projects are the Orange-Fish, Jonkershoek, Steenbras, Palmiet, Huguenot and Hex River tunnels in Cape Province, the Inanda Wiggins, Drakensburg and Blackhill to Richards Bay tunnels in Natal and the Lesotho highlands water project. Most tunnels have been driven using tunnel boring machines, with shield driving equipment only being necessary for 8 tunnels. Future tunnelling will probably be limited mainly to water resource development projects. Tables are presented giving details of existing and planned tunnels in South Africa.