Orientation: The level of CEO compensation and its relationship with organisational performance has generated considerable interest worldwide. In light of compromised mining productivity as a result of the recent labour unrest in South African, some commentators have questioned the justification of certain CEO compensation in the country’s mining industry. Research purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between CEO compensation and organisation performance in the South African mining industry. Motivation for the study: A deeper understanding of the relationship would enhance knowledge when developing optimal CEO reward systems to ensure sustainability of the mining industry within the South African context. Research design, approach and method: The research was a quantitative, archival study involving 30 mining companies over a five year period. The statistical analysis techniques used in the study included analysis of normality variance and multivariate regression. Main findings/results: The main finding of the research was that there was a moderate to strong relationship between CEO compensation and organisational performance in the South African mining industry. However, operating expenses have progressively increased, putting performance under pressure. Furthermore, it was also found that company size plays an influential role in CEO compensation levels. Practical/managerial implications: While the CEO compensation appears to be generally aligned with the organisational performance, the findings suggest that boards of directors should focus on structuring reward systems more optimally to mitigate managerial rent seeking in large companies and unsustainability in smaller companies. Contribution/value-add: This study has contributed to the body of existing knowledge on executive pay for performance in the context of the South African mining industry. In addition, the study has demonstrated that the other non-performance related measures need to be considered in executive compensation design. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / A global prospecting and mining leader recognizes HIV/AIDS as a threat to the company and its employees. The management has committed them to have a proactive approach trying to minimize the impact of this killing disease by putting in place effective workplace programmes. However, programmes can only be successful if the employees’ needs regarding knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices have been thoroughly researched identified. The aim of this study was to do an explorative descriptive study of the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and behaviours of the employees of a mining company in Namibia on HIV/AIDS. The objectives were: diams; To measure the overall knowledge levels as well as attitudes and sexual practices of DBMN employees on HIV and STD's. diams; To determine whether there was a difference in the knowledge levels, attitudes and sexual practices of employees in different job categories, age groups, marital status, religion and education level. diams; To measure risky sexual behaviours of participants. All employees (550) of this mining company were invited to participate in the survey and 226 employees responded. A self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect data administered in a group setting. The questionnaire was regarded as having content validity and the SPSS program was be utilized for descriptive statistics. Utilizing the ratio data developed through the indexes, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine significant difference between the means of the groups in comparison. Because multiple comparisons were done, a post hoc test (Fisher LSD) was used to determine significant differences between group means. / South Africa

There are different views about the availability of non-renewable resources in the long run. Hotelling’s (1931) seminal model of exhaustible resources greatly influenced subsequent studies. Hotelling’s and related fixed-stock models imply decreasing availability and increasing real prices of non-renewable resources in the long run. However, most of the empirical evidence does not support the prediction of higher real price trends. Hotelling’s model has been criticised for ignoring certain factors relevant to the discovery and innovation-driven creation of additional non-renewable reserves. Contrary to Hotelling’s fixed-stock assumption, this may expand the total stock of non-renewable resources available for profitable extraction. The main research objective of this study is to address this problem by identifying a broader range of factors to be used when constructing models of the availability of non-renewable resources. This was done by means of an extensive literature survey of both historic and more contemporary thought in this regard. This study shows the evolution of thinking and reasons behind the diversity of views on the availability of non-renewable resources. Thirty core facts were identified and a broad research framework formulated, including policies and methods to mitigate resource depletion and ensure availability both at national and global levels. A key finding is that improvements in various productivity-enhancing technologies have, thus far, delayed the onset of decreased availability and higher real price trends implied by Hotelling’s and other fixed-stock models. / Economics / M. Com. (Economics)

Thesis (MBA.) --University of Limpopo, 2019 / The mining industry plays a positive strategic role in the South African economy. However, this industry is plagued by many socio-economic challenges. It continues to face an uncertain future due to, amongst other factors, the escalating overhead mining costs, labour protests and community unrests. Among these challenges, dissatisfied and disgruntled mining communities remain the most unmitigated threat to the sustainability of mining worldwide. Mining companies continue to be under immense pressure to effectively address the socio-economic needs of communities affected by their operations. The increased levels of poverty and unemployment have resulted in the relationship between host communities and mining companies being increasingly strained. Their relationship is characterised by deep resentment, suspicion and mistrust. The tension stems from the fact that despite mining companies being present and operating in their areas, host communities are not benefiting meaningfully from the mining activities. The study seeks to examine host communities’ perceptions about mining companies operating within Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. The study employed the qualitative research method and endeavoured to obtain first hand evidence or lived experiences narrated by host communities. The researcher used purposive sampling to choose the respondents who were deemed to possess intimate knowledge and the history of the state of relations between host communities and mining companies operating within Govan Mbeki municipal area. This paper reports the findings of a study undertaken to assess the socioeconomic impact of mining activities and the communities’ perceptions on these activities within Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. Mining companies are perceived as the main contributors to social, environmental, health and infrastructure destruction. In addition to sampling community perceptions on mining activities, the study prescribes interventions that can assist in mitigating the negative perceptions of mining companies

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Environmental Science). Johannesburg, 2017. / South Africa’s SDFIs have potential to play a critical role in fostering environmental compliance in the mining industry. Their role is particularly important in the small-scale and junior mining sector which is usually shunned by private finance institutions because of high environmental credit risk. Equipped with knowledge and experience of working with clients across different sectors and their potential leadership role in technology transfer, SDFIs can leverage their position in acting as trusted third party environmental regulation enforcers. Financial institutions have long been criticised for showing little interest in environmental impacts of their clients while concentrating on profit maximisation. This study sought to investigate the response by financial institutions to this criticism through evaluating the role of SDFIs in fostering environmental compliance by small-scale and junior mining companies which are generally viewed as having a poor environmental compliance record. Through the twin qualitative research methods of interviews and document analysis, the role of three state-owned development finance institutions in fostering environmental regulation compliance by small-scale mining enterprises in South Africa was evaluated. The study revealed that SDFIs explicitly and implicitly provide a wide range of products and services which help small-scale and junior miners in complying with environmental regulations. The study also found that, while SDFIs are beginning to adopt market-based mechanisms to encourage environmental compliance, they still heavily rely on command and control mechanisms as a way of mitigating environmentally related risks arising from financing mining companies. / LG2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering / The purpose of this research is to provide a comprehensive understanding of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and its impact on the mining sector of a developing economy. The ideology and principles discussed aim to assist economists, investors and governments in understanding the need for FDI and how to set up a viable and conducive framework. The research links development economics to FDI as a means to creating and sustaining economic growth.The results of the analysis indicated that there is a direct relationship between development economics and FDI. Political, social and economic risks pose a direct threat to the levels of FDI that a country attracts. A study performed in this research revealed that the higher the perceived risk level, the lower the investment levels. Africa is a resource rich continent; however it ranks low on the investor attractiveness scale. This is due to authoritative political leaders that control corporate and fiscal regimes, ethnic unrest between local tribes and political warfare that is played out in the media. Despite these drawbacks certain African countries are taking steps to improve their attractiveness. Ethiopia is one of them and was selected as the main case study for this research. A benchmark acid test was performed on the policies implemented by government. The Growth Transformation Plan (GTP) I and II (plans set by the government to transform Ethiopia) were reviewed and analysed for feasibility due to the Ethiopian government setting ambitious growth targets. The results of the analysis reveal that investors were attracted to Ethiopia through policies that safeguarded investors’ interests, geological attractiveness, afforded tax and duty havens and allow for the repatriation of profits. The research also highlights the negative impact that social unrest and political violence had on mining FDI. The research concludes on its findings that government policies play a key role in attracting investment. Monetary and fiscal policies must be set to alleviate poverty and create economic growth through the attraction of foreign investment. / NG (2020)

Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The mining industry plays a positive strategic role in the South African economy. However, this industry is plagued by many socio-economic challenges. It continues to face an uncertain future due to, amongst other factors, the escalating overhead mining costs, labour protests and community unrests. Among these challenges, dissatisfied and disgruntled mining communities remain the most unmitigated threat to the sustainability of mining worldwide. Mining companies continue to be under immense pressure to effectively address the socio-economic needs of communities affected by their operations. The increased levels of poverty and unemployment have resulted in the relationship between host communities and mining companies being increasingly strained. Their relationship is characterised by deep resentment, suspicion and mistrust. The tension stems from the fact that despite mining companies being present and operating in their areas, host communities are not benefiting meaningfully from the mining activities. The study seeks to examine host communities’ perceptions about mining companies operating within Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. The study employed the qualitative research method and endeavoured to obtain first hand evidence or lived experiences narrated by host communities. The researcher used purposive sampling to choose the respondents who were deemed to possess intimate knowledge and the history of the state of relations between host communities and mining companies operating within Govan Mbeki municipal area. This paper reports the findings of a study undertaken to assess the socioeconomic impact of mining activities and the communities’ perceptions on these activities within Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Province. Mining companies are perceived as the main contributors to social, environmental, health and infrastructure destruction. In addition to sampling community perceptions on mining activities, the study prescribes interventions that can assist in mitigating the negative perceptions of mining companies

Historically, the decision on whether to mine by underground or surface methods has been based on mining and economic considerations. This is rapidly changing since the environmental imperatives that have evolved over the past two decades are now a critical part of the decision process. As a result, quarry operations are increasingly considering the option of going underground. This research was carried out to identify the factors which would cause a surface quarry operator to consider the transition to underground mining. To identify the major incentives for going underground, primary factors influencing the decision for selecting underground mining over continued quarrying were investigated. Analysis of the literature and data gathered from site visits showed that significant benefits could be gained from mining underground, with respect to selected economic factors, environmental permitting and legal compliance, and post-production site usage for continued income. To determine mining characteristics of the typical surface quarry, data on the production phase (mining sequence) and environmental problems was collected from 18 quarries at various stages of their operating life spans. The data was obtained from sites in the Appalachian region of four states: Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Tennessee. Corresponding data was also gathered from successful underground operations to determine the values for a typical underground mine. Comparisons of this information indicated that the biggest differences between surface and underground operations existed in: the drilling and blasting phase, and in the haulage phase of the mining sequence; the size of the equipment; the extent of environmental concerns; and the potential for post-production income from the site. The process of environmental risk assessment was reviewed as a supporting tool to aid in the selection of underground over surface mining. By assigning probabilities of failure to specific, independent, environmental hazards, an operator can evaluate and compare the likelihood of success or failure operating as a quarry or underground mine. A case study from the data collected was used as an example to show how the procedure can be practically implemented. / Master of Science

Adequate supply and availability of nitrogen (N) is a major factor hindering successful revegetation of reclaimed surface mines. Because topsoils are often unrecoverable, “topsoil substitutes”, made up of overburden materials devoid of N, are often used on reclaimed surfaces. Four replications of seven surface treatments were applied to 12 m² plots of 2:1 sandstone:siltstone material on a reclaimed coal surface mine in Wise Co., VA: 1) fertilizer (168 kg/ha N, 147 kg/ha P, and 139 kg/ha K), 2) limed (7.8 Mg/ha), fertilized topsoil (30 cm deep), 3) 112 Mg/ha sawdust + fertilizer + 336 kg/ha slow-release N, and 4-7) lime-treated municipal sewage sludge at rates of 22, 56, 112, and 224 Mg/ha. Nitrogen availability after 40 mo (as determined by aerobic and anaerobic incubations) in sawdust- and sludge-amended soils was two to 20 times higher than in fertilized and topsoil-amended soils. Moisture holding capacity was nearly twice as high in sawdust-amended soils as in all other treatments. Soil nitrate (NO₃⁻) levels (0-20 cm layer) in excess of 75 μg/g were detected in the 112 and 224 Mg/ha sludge plots 28 mo after application. Stem volumes of three-year-old pitch X loblolly pines (<i>Pinus rigida</i> X <i>taeda</i>) were four times larger in soils amended with sawdust + slow-release N and were twice as large in soils amended with 22 and 56 Mg/ha sludge compared to fertilized-only seedlings. Increased seedling mortality was observed in the 112 and 224 Mg/ha sludge treatments, possibly due to high soluble salt levels and/or manganese deficiencies. The availability of N from sawdust + slow-release N or sludge (≤ 56 Mg/ha) is better than that of inorganic fertilizer for sustained tree growth. These amendments are recommended for reclamation to the extent that they are economically available. / M.S.

Natural soils in the Appalachian coal mining region occur on steep slopes and are often thin, rocky, acidic, and/or infertile. This often makes use of natural topsoil for surface coal mine reclamation impractical. Sandstone (SS) and siltstone (SiS) topsoil substitute materials in mixed and pure treatments were compared to ascertain their effects on soil genesis and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schrab.) growth in a rock mix study. A second surface amendment experiment with similar objectives was established and contained treatments of sawdust, topsoil, a control, and four rates of sewage sludge. Soil pH, extractable P, and coarse fragment contents decreased at the soil surface from 1982 to 1984. The CEC decreased from 1982 to 1983 due to leaching of cations solubilized from carbonates, but stabilized by 1984. Soil total-N and water availability increased from 1982 to 1984. Particle size distributions changed as sand and >2 mm sized materials weathered into silt and clay sized particles. As sand contents decreased over time, silt contents increased. Morphologically distinct A horizons developed in these soils rapidly and were formed primarily by plant rooting and organic matter additions. Treatment application, topsoil substitute placement, and grading also created morphologically distinct horizons. Fescue biomass production indicates topsoil substitutes support more vigorous vegetative growth than topsoil, especially when topsoils are mixtures of subsoil and A horizons. Biomass production was primarily limited by N, P, and water availability. Blended rock mixes consistently supported higher biomass production than pure SS and SiS treatments. Municipal sewage sludge applied at rates-56 Mg/ha equaled or exceeded inorganic fertilization for establishment and maintenance of tall fescue stands, and did not cause heavy metal phytotoxicity. / M.S.