Achieving sustainable corporate social responsibility outcomes: A multiple case study in the South African mining industry

Mining companies are responding to increasing pressure to conduct their operations responsibly by implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in their host communities. However, it has been argued that few of these projects result in sustainable outcomes. Stakeholder engagement should be inclusive to ensure CSR project sustainability. The purpose of this multiple-case study was to explore stakeholder engagement in achieving sustainable CSR outcomes in the South African mining industry. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with community development specialists from three South African mining companies. It was found that mining companies implement CSR projects intending to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability within their host communities. Stakeholders are actively engaged in project planning as their involvement in decision-making is critical for sustainable projects through obtaining stakeholder buy-in, collaboration and involvement. The study recommends that management balances diverse stakeholder expectations and educate stakeholders on corporate mining issues. Theoretically the study adds to the understanding of stakeholder engagement for sustainable CSR outcomes in the South African mining industry

A methodology for evaluating utilisation of mine planning software and consequent decision-making strategies in South Africa

Mine planning software has and continues to contribute to the development of the South African mining industry. As mine planning software usage continues to be more widespread, it is imperative that a methodology to evaluate mine planning software utilisation for enhanced decision-making strategies in South Africa is established. An existing online database available on the website link http://db.mining.wits.ac.za was developed prior to this study in September 2012 (initial data collection date). However, the database only acted as a snapshot of mine planning software data repository and lacked a framework to evaluate utilisation of mine planning software in the South African mining industry. In this thesis, a methodology was developed to measure the utilisation of mine planning software to enhance decision-making strategies in the South African mining industry. The methodology for the evaluation of utilisation of mine planning software in various commodity sectors was developed on the basis of three variables, namely, commodity, functionality, and time factor, as a key evaluation criteria. Even though the calculations can be done on any commodity in a similar manner, in this research, calculations were only performed on four different commodities, namely coal, diamond, gold and platinum group metals which are the most significant minerals in South Africa. Six functionalities namely Geological Data Management, Geological Modelling and Resource Estimation, Design and Layout, Scheduling, Financial Valuation and Optimisation were applied on the four different commodities using two different time-stamps (September 2012 and April 2014). The following software providers availed information that was used to populate the database: Geovia, MineRP Solutions, Sable, RungePincockMinarco, Maptek, Cyest Technology and CAE Mining. Note that the CAE Mining data was only made available in April 2014 (second data collection date). However, the results indicated that the market leaders in terms of mine planning software utilisation in South Africa differs, depending on the commodity that is being mined as well as the functionality that is being used. In addition, this thesis also proposed a framework to estimate the future use of mine planning software on an evolving dataset by considering the fact that the database will be continually updated in the future. By using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), specifically supervised learning, time-series analyses were performed. Results from the time-series analyses were used to establish the framework for estimating the future use of mine planning software utilisation in the South African mining industry. By using this newly developed framework, utilisation of the various mine planning software was measured leading to the formulation of different decision-making strategies for the various mine planning software stakeholders. By using this newly developed framework to estimate and measure mine planning software utilisation, and proposing a framework for time-series analyses on an evolving dataset, this thesis serves a number of beneficiaries; firstly, the South African mining industry to position themselves better by acquiring optimal combination of mine planning software that is being used in South Africa so that they can improve their production levels, secondly, tertiary education institutions and mining consulting firms which make use of mine planning software, and lastly, the aforementioned software providers by strategically positioning themselves in a limited mine planning software market. However, this newly developed framework could be used by involved parties for corporate strategic decision-making

The political economy of decarbonisation: exploring the dynamics of South Africa’s electricity sector

South Africa’s coal-dominated electricity sector, a key feature of the country’s minerals-energy complex, is in crisis and subject to change. This offers potential opportunities for decarbonisation. Despite positive examples of decarbonisation in South Africa’s electricity sector, such as a procurement programme for renewable energy, there are structural path dependencies linked to coal-fired generation and security of supply. Decarbonisation goes far beyond what is technologically or even economically feasible, to encompass a complexity of political, social and economic factors. Meanwhile, decision-making in electricity is highly politicised and lack of transparency and power struggles in the policy sphere pose key challenges. Such power struggles are reflected in national debates over which technologies should be prioritised and the institutional arrangements that should facilitate them

Commodities and Linkages: Meeting the Policy Challenge

The results of detailed empirical enquiry into the nature and determinants of the breadth and depth of linkages in and out of the commodities sector in eight SSA countries (Angola, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa Tanzania, and Zambia) and six sectors (copper, diamonds, gold, oil and gas, mining services and timber) has shown extensive scope for industrial development (MMCP DP 13, 2011). A primary conclusion of this research was that policy in both the private and public realm was a prime factor holding back the development of linkages. Addressing this problem requires the closing of three sets of misalignments between policy and practice – within the corporate sector, within the public sector, and between the public sector and other stakeholders involved in linkage development. In addition, specific policies need to be developed, monitored and implemented in relation to the three contextual drivers of linkages from the commodity sector – skills and capabilities, infrastructure and policies towards ownership

Commodities and Linkages: Industrialisation in Sub-Saharan Africa

In a complementary Discussion Paper (MMCP DP 12 2011) we set out the reasons why we believe that there is extensive scope for linkage development into and out of SSA’s commodities sectors. In this Discussion Paper, we present the findings of our detailed empirical enquiry into the determinants of the breadth and depth of linkages in eight SSA countries (Angola, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa Tanzania, and Zambia) and six sectors (copper, diamonds, gold, oil and gas, mining services and timber). We conclude from this detailed research that the extent of linkages varies as a consequence of four factors which intrinsically affect their progress – the passage of time, the complexity of the sector and the level of capabilities in the domestic economy. However, beyond this we identify three sets of related factors which determined the nature and pace of linkage development. The first is the structure of ownership, both in lead commodity producing firms and in their suppliers and domestic customers. The second is the nature and quality of both hard infrastructure (for example, roads and ports) and soft infrastructure (for example, the efficiency of customs clearance). The third is the availability of skills and the structure and orientation of the National System of Innovation in the domestic economy. The fourth, and overwhelmingly important contextual factor is policy. This reflects policy towards the commodity sector itself, and policy which affects the three contextual drivers, namely ownership, infrastructure and capabilities. As a result of this comparative analysis we provided an explanation of why linkage development was progressive in some economies (such as Botswana) and regressive in others (such as Tanzania). This cluster of factors also explains why the breadth and depth of linkages is relative advanced in some countries (such as South Africa), and at a very nascent stage in other countries (such as Angola)

Exploring potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on groundwater contamination in the Karoo: perspectives on institutional capabilities in water management in South Africa

A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Science. with Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, South Africa, (School of Geography, Archaeological and Environmental Science within the Faculty of Science) 2nd June 2017.Hydraulic fracturing in the Karoo is said to be a game changer of energy sector in South Africa, but it is said to pose potential groundwater contamination. Therefore the aim of the study was to investigate the extent to which current institutional set up in South Africa can deal and address potential environmental challenges that are associated to fracking. The study was particularly interested in investigating the institutional capabilities in the context of water management. The literature review of this study showed that water resource is a major environmental concern that revolves around hydraulic fracturing, including the water resources use and potential contamination. In addition, it should be considered that hydraulic fracturing is a new mining process in South Africa and Africa as a whole with controversial mining techniques and environmental impacts involved within this process. The review indicates that the biggest issue with proposed hydraulic fracking mining process in the Karoo is if the South African Government has taken into consideration the resources, infrastructures and skills to execute the process successfully. The literature asserts that even if proper enforcement of any regulations on this rapidly expanding industry will still be difficult as the regulation is insufficient due to certain explicit exemptions. In South Africa, the starting point for hydraulic fracturing and the associated regulations that governs fracking, is the recognition of an argument that South Africa does not possess any fracking specific laws, guidelines or even polices. Research participants were asked to give their views on the research topic by answering the semi structured interview questions. Data from the semi-structured interviews and literature review was analysed and discussed to address the research questions. The results of the investigation confirmed that there was no any legislation in place to govern this mining process in South Africa. Currently there are legislations which are under review and development to also address hydraulic fracking and the protection of water resources. The government should also involve other research institutes in the drafting and decision making of the legal institute governing hydraulic fracking to ensure that all gaps are identified before fracking can be permitted in the Karoo.MT 201

No. 03: Making Up the Numbers: Measuring “Illegal Immigration” to South Africa

The extent of South Africa’s “illegal immigrant” problem continues to confound. Numbers in the millions continue to be casually thrown around by officials, politicians, and the local and foreign press. The study on which these millionaire estimates are based has been widely discredited. But those who are critical of the study and skeptical of the inflated numbers are unable to come up with alternative numbers. Their response is usually that the extent of undocumented migration is, by definition, unknowable. True as it might be, this response unfortunately does not help very much. In this paper, the author attempts to break down the various categories of irregular migration and employment in South Africa and to assess what is and what is not known statistically about each. The paper also attempts to develop a defensible set of estimates about the extent of undocumented migration

No. 23: Labour Migration Trends and Policies in Southern Africa

Since 1990, there have been major changes to longstanding patterns of intra-regional labour migration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). At the same time, new channels of migration to and from the region have opened. Labour migration is now more voluminous, dynamic and complex than it has ever been. This presents policy-makers with considerable opportunities and challenges. In order to understand the exact nature of these challenges, it is important to have a good grasp of current labour migration characteristics and trends. Unfortunately, reliable, accurate and comprehensive data on labour migration is not available. The quality and currency of data varies considerably from country to country. A regional labour migration observatory would make the future writing of an overview of migration trends a much easier task. The primary objectives of this overview of labour migration trends and policy implications is fourfold: (a) to review recent characteristics and trends in labour migration within and from the SADC region. Official statistics as well as recent survey data are drawn on to generate an overall picture of current characteristics and trends in the region; (b) to highlight some of the critical and urgent issues pertaining to labour migration in the region; (c) to discuss the main features of labour migration strategies and policies and legislative and regulatory frameworks in countries covered by the Southern African Development Community (SADC); and (d) to review the prospects for the freer circulation of migrant labour in the Southern African region. This brief focuses primarily on the period since 1990 and restructuring of labour migration in the wake of the collapse of apartheid, new global migration forces, the end of the wars in Mozambique and Angola and the current economic and political situation in Zimbabwe. Although the brief provides an overview of the region as a whole, the report concentrates on the major labour migration channels in the region (from countries such as Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to South Africa). The report also considers the nature and implications of new migrant movements to and from SADC

On maximizing third world benefits from mineral resources

Draft copy of a paper presented at the International Symposium "Strategies for Exploitation of Mineral Resources in Developing Countries", organised by the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, from 6 to 8 November 1986 on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Diamond Mining Industry on the West Coast of South Africa

the study was aimed at seeing how communities benefit from minin