The resource curse, also known as the “paradox of plenty”, basically states that countries that have natural resources in abundance, particularly in terms of non-renewable resources such as oil and gas and minerals, in the long run tend to have less economic growth and prosperity, than countries with relatively lesser endowments of natural resources. This research investigates the case of the Chilean economy; its erstwhile saltpeter mining industry and current copper mining industry. The study attempts to answer the research question of whether Chile is still under the resource curse. Through the facts of the case study, semi-structured formal and informal interviews and extensive literature review, the researcher identified four main outcomes of the resource curse which are true to the Chilean history and current events; plundering of national wealth by political leaders, weak policy enforcements and military challenges to the government and the subsequent threats to the country’s democracy. The results of the case study suggest that, Chile is indeed still under the resource curse. The researcher draws on economic theory by Joseph Schumpeter in his most celebrated publication, “The theory of Economic Development” to gain understanding into the Chilean reality of economic under development and any other possible factors besides the resource curse, mainly lack of entrepreneurial ambitions by the human capital of the economy. The study contrasts, Schumpeter’s economic theory to Marxist economic theory of total control of nation states’ resources by governments and the Keynesian economic theory of government intervention aimed at supporting growth.

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<p>Vibrating screens are mechanical machines used to sort granulated materials based on their particle size. Utilized in the mining industry, these machines can sort tonnes of materials per hour. In the past, McMaster University developed sensor devices that measure and transmit vibration data of these machines to a central data acquisition unit for analysis, tuning, and maintenance purposes. In this thesis, I present the development of two new software systems that are used to process, manage, and present the information gained from these measurements. The first system, the offline vibration analysis software, is used to analyze the vibration data in both time and frequency domain, and presents the measured and calculated data in textual and graphical forms. The second system, the online vibration analysis software, is used by vibrating screens manufacturers and their customers to gather and manage vibration data collected from their vibrating screens by utilizing a central storage. The development process of these systems followed an iterative and incremental approach with continuous feedback from stakeholders. It included extensive requirements gathering to define a model, in terms of data representation, that captures the business logic and practices of the industry. Furthermore, it used standard architectures such as Model View Controller (MVC) and advanced technologies such as Object Relationship Mapping (ORM) for data access to increase flexibility and maintainability. Finally, comprehensive unit testing and thorough security risks evaluation were conducted in order to ensure that these systems are secure and bug free.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The Arbitration Review Board existed in the bituminous coal industry from 1974 to 1981. Established during the 1974 contract negotiations between the Bituminous Coal Operators Association and the United Mine Workers of America, the ARB represented an effort to obtain consistency in arbitration decisions. The ARB operated as an industry appellate board designed to hear appeals of arbitration awards, and the decisions of the ARB were contractually mandated as industry precedents requiring arbitrator compliance. Although the parties terminated the ARB in 1981, they have continued to incorporate the precedent decisions in subsequent contracts. This study utilizes both a qualitative assessment and an empirical analysis of arbitration decisions to determine the impact of the ARB on the arbitration process in the coal industry. Structured interviews were conducted with former ARB members, arbitrators, management representatives, and union representatives to gather information with which to construct a complete historical perspective of the ARB's inception, operation, and termination. A total of 44 individuals were interviewed. The empirical assessment involved a content analysis of 300 arbitration decisions to determine the extent to which arbitrators have adhered to the ARB precedents. Conclusions of the research suggest that the ARB has had a profound impact on coal industry arbitration. Arbitrators increasingly adhered to ARB decisions during its existence, and have continued to exhibit a high degree of adherence following the ARB's termination. The difficulties encountered in implementing the ARB and the factors contributing to its termination are discussed. / Ph. D.

M. Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / This study explored the implementation of green supply chain with regard to minimizing environmental risk in the South African manganese and phosphate mining industries. A qualitative research paradigm methodology was used. Theoretical assumptions were utilized. References by other researchers in the green supply chain and mining supply chain were also used to broaden the knowledge horizons for the study. A total number of twelve supply chain and environmental professionals from the key role players in the South African manganese and phosphate mining industries were interviewed and provided valuable input to the study. The study determined lack of information sharing between the role players in the supply chain that lead to the discovery of themes and sub–themes. The study identified seven main themes and eleven sub-themes as challenges in the implementation of green supply chain. Recommendations to address the challenges areoutlined and include the introduction of cleaner production practices by using cleaner technologies, inclusion of environmental aspects in the sourcing strategy, among others. The achievement of all these will ensure sustainable development. Originating from the study are research recommendations for the South African manganese and phosphate mining industries. The recommendations include further research to establish a green supply chain model as well as perception and expectations of policy makers in the industries.

The main question posed in this study is: How do black mineworkers in the goldmining industry conceptualise and experience fatherhood in present-day South Africa? The following four subsidiary research questions were formulated to address this: * How do the respondents characterise fatherhood? * What are the respondents' own recollections of being fathered? * How do migrant and resident respondents' experiences of fatherhood differ? * What influence do biological mothers or female partners have on father-child relationships as described by the respondents? The scripting perspective chosen underscores this study because it is a multilevel approach that takes the fathers' social milieu into account without ignoring their agency. This perspective focuses on three levels - cultural scenarios, interpersonal and intrapsychic scripting. During 2002 a qualitative study was undertaken by way of in-depth interviews conducted with 30 respondents, with ten being re-interviewed in 2003. These interviews were augmented with general observations and fact-finding interviews conducted with key informants. In terms of the first research question regarding the way in which the respondents characterise fatherhood, it was found that the breadwinner role is salient. However, traces of patriarchy and the so-called "new fatherhood" are often intertwined with the economic aspect of fatherhood. The respondents' own recollections of being fathered were found to include a stern disciplinarian pattern ("father is like a lion"), a "bad fatherhood" pattern and a "good fatherhood" pattern. Resident respondents related more involvement with their children compared with migrant respondents, although varying degrees of distant and involved fatherhood could be detected amongst the migrant respondents. Resident respondents conveyed active involvement in father-child activities such as giving guidance to children and playing with them. Some respondents have little contact with those children they fathered with a woman other than their current partner. Female partners tend to hinder any type of relationship with children born as a result of adulterous relationships but children born from previous relationships may be taken care of. However, respondents who openly stated double standards regarding sexual practices for men and women tend to take care of all their biological children and show little concern for their wives' views. / Sociology / D. Litt et Phil (Sociology)

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African Mining industry has had a poor safety performance over the past couple of years, which led to a lot of questions being asked about how effective mining operations are managed. Numerous concerns and opinions have been raised on the reasons why no improvement is seen in organisations’ safety trends. The general concern in the mining industry is that safety and operations are managed as separate entities and not as an integrated unit. Besides the perception of operational issues that are managed more diligently than safety issues, the associated competency levels of line personnel are also questioned. Safety management systems in mining organisations are also under the spotlight in respect of quality, effective application and a positive contribution in preventing accidents and incidents. A more intensified focus on safety is required by the respective mining houses. The main contributing factors that lead to accidents and incidents need to be determined. The possible reasons for the unsatisfactory safety results can be divided into controllable and uncontrollable elements when seen from a safety perspective. The controllable elements are all possible reasons for why a safety management system is not working. There might also be different contributors to poor safety performance but these are definitely underlying to the main reasons identified. The influence of human behaviour on accidents as well as the considered organisation safety system is essential in safety management. Human behaviour is a function of the characteristics of both the person and the environment. Individuals bring elements to the organisational setting, including abilities, personal beliefs, expectations and past experiences. The environment provided by an organisation has a number of features: jobs, relationships between people, work that needs to be done, rewards available to individuals, and so on. Behaviour results from the interaction of individual and organisational characteristics. The behaviour of humans and the understanding thereof will be a science in its own right. To prevent incidents, one should know their causes. As Louis Pasteur put it, over 100 years ago: “All things are hidden obscure and debatable if the cause of the phenomena be unknown, but everything is clear if the cause be known.” / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse mynboubedryf presteer die afgelope aantal jaar swak wat betref veiligheidsbestuur en ʼn hele aantal vrae word gevra oor hoe effektief mynbouoperasies bestuur word. Verskeie besorgdhede en opinies is gelug oor die moontlike redes waarom daar geen verbetering in ondernemings se veiligheidsindekse ervaar word nie. Die algemene bekommernis in die mynboubedryf is dat veiligheid en operasionele verantwoordelikhede afsonderlik bestuur word en nie as ʼn geïntegreerde eenheid nie. Afgesien van die persepsie dat operasionele uitdagings meer doelgerig bestuur word as veiligheid, word die gepaardgaande bevoegdheidsvlakke van lynpersoneel ook bevraagteken. Veiligheidsbestuurstelsels in mynbouondernemings is ook onder verdenking wat betref gehalte, effektiewe toepassing en ’n positiewe bydrae ten opsigte van ondersteuning en voorkoming van insidente en ongelukke. ʼn Meer intense fokus op veiligheid word benodig by die onderskeie mynhuise. Die belangrikste bydraende faktore wat tot ongelukke en insidente lei, moet bepaal word. Die moontlike redes vir onbevredigende veiligheidsresultate kan verdeel word in beheerbare en onbeheerbare elemente wanneer gesien vanuit ʼn veiligheidsperspektief. Die beheerbare elemente is moontlike redes waarom ʼn veiligheidbestuurstelsel nie werk nie. Daar kan moontlik ook ander bydraende faktore wees tot ʼn swak veiligheidsprestasie maar dit is definitief onderliggend tot die hoofredes soos geïdentifiseer. Die invloed van menslike gedrag op ongelukke sowel as die inaggenome veiligheidstelsel van die organisasie is essensieel by veiligheidsbestuur. Menslike gedrag is ʼn funksie van die eienskappe van beide die persoon en die omgewing. Individue bring sekere elemente na die organisatoriese opset wat vermoëns, persoonlike oortuigings, verwagtings en ondervinding insluit. Die omgewing geskep deur organisasies behels ʼn aantal elemente: werksomskrywing, verhoudings tussen mense, werk wat gedoen moet word, vergoeding van individue, ens. Gedrag is die resultaat van die interaksie tussen individue en die kenmerke van die organisasie. Die gedrag van mense en begrip daarvan sal ʼn wetenskap in eie reg bly. Om insidente te verhoed, moet die oorsake bekend wees. Soos Louis Pasteur dit meer as 100 jaar gelede gestel het: “All things are hidden obscure and debatable if the cause of the phenomena be unknown, but everything is clear if the cause be known.”

M. Tech. (Cost and Management Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / Statistics in South Africa show that the fatality and injury rates within the mining industry have dropped since the end of the apartheid era. Regardless of the drop the fact remains that the mine workers, who are often the breadwinners, are still dying in the country’s mines leaving their families behind without any source of income. If they do not die they may suffer crippling injuries due to mine accidents making it impossible for them to perform their daily duties at work which results in the loss of income, loss of quality of life and this produces a humanitarian and a socio-economic problem. Mining companies incur enormous costs due to fatalities and injuries. Hence a target for zero fatalities was set in the mining industry for 2013. However, the industry has failed to reach this target that it set for itself and it is therefore of the utmost importance to encourage mining companies to invest more than they do currently in safety in order to prevent these fatal and crippling injuries due to mine accidents. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the requirements of safety legislation are observed and complied with by a single Colliery in South Africa that was selected for this study. The study also sought to investigate whether or not the employees of this mine observe the safety regulations to ensure safety and to maintain an accident free working environment. An analysis of organizational safety control mechanisms and production cost was conducted through the use of a structured questionnaire, completed by 151 participants. Descriptive statistics, frequency tables, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were utilized to analyse the data. The results indicate that the Colliery was compliant with the safety legislations, a positive employee safety attitude had been cultivated and there was provision of adequate safety facilities through safety investments. Cost reduction due to the application of safety controls was also established, yet it was found necessary for the Colliery to enforce and encourage the application of safety measures to reduce the costs that are still incurred as it is evident that the application of safety controls results in reduced costs. Although the Colliery was considered compliant, with its employees showing a positive attitude towards safety controls, and with safety investments made and cost reduction achieved due to safety measures, ANOVA revealed different perceptions based on the departments in which the employees work, years of experience, English proficiency and qualifications. However, no differences were found in relation to gender and designation.

A exploração de itabirito do minério de ferro para a indústria siderúrgica gera, entre outros, milhares de toneladas diárias de resíduo de arenoso. As características físicas e químicas homogêneas deste material, o faz atraente como matéria-prima para diversas indústrias, incluindo a fabricação de artefatos de cimento. Um aspecto importante para a sustentabilidade deste segmento é o uso racional dos recursos naturais e o aumento da durabilidade do produto final. Este trabalho visa o desenvolvimento e o estudo comparativo das propriedades de argamassas contendo resíduo arenoso do itabirito e areia natural. Inicialmente o resíduo arenoso foi analisado, caracterizado e, de acordo com normas ambientais, classificado como inerte (Classe II B). Argamassas foram feitas usando a areia natural e resíduo de arenoso, seguindo o planejamento fatorial 23 para o estudo dos agregados, e 2x4 para o estudo dos fluidificantes. Os fatores estudados foram a relação água / cimento (a / c), o tipo de cimento e o proporção cimento:agregado. Os testes foram realizados, nas argamassas frescas e endurecidas, para determinar propriedades como viscosidade, tempo de pega, porosidade, densidade, resistência à compressão, etc. Estas propriedades foram analisadas em relação aos fatores definidos, utilizando ferramentas estatísticos ANOVA e t-student com amostras emparelhadas. A relação entre estas propriedades foi verificada através de um estudo realizado correlacionando-as duas a duas. Em alguns casos os resultados usando o resíduo arenoso não seguiram a tendência esperada, de acordo com a literatura para as argamassas com areia natural. Os dados do teste de carbonatação indicaram que as argamassas com resíduo arenoso devem ser preferencialmente utilizadas em estruturas não armadas, por exemplo, em calçadas. A partir da análise dos resultados de todas as propriedades, a formulação com cimento CP V, proporção cimento:resíduo = 1:2 e relação água / cimento = 0,80 apresentou boa trabalhabilidade e tempo de pega adequado, sendo selecionada como base para os testes em escala piloto. Além disso, a densidade, 2,05 g.cm-3, e a resistência à compressão, 19,2 MPa, dos produtos sugerem a sua utilização como artefatos para construção. Testes com 300 dias de alguns espécimes evidenciaram a estabilidade do produto final. Finalmente, com este trabalho construiu-se a base para os estudos de demonstração em escala piloto e de viabilidade econômica da cimentação deste resíduo. / The exploitation of itabirite from iron ore for the steel industry generates about thousands of tons daily of sandy waste, among others. The homogeneous physical and chemical characteristics of this material make it attractive as a raw material for different industries, including the cement artifact manufacture. An important aspect for the sustainability of this segment is the rational use of natural resources and the increase of product durability. This work aims the development and the comparative study of mortars properties containing sandy waste from itabirite and natural sand. Initially the sandy waste was analyzed, characterized and, according to environmental standards, classified as inert (Class IIB). Mortar was made using the natural sand and the sandy waste, following the 23 factorial design for the aggregate study, and 2x4 for the admixture study. The factors studied were the water / cement ratio (a / c), the type of cement and the cement:aggregate proportion. Tests were performed in fresh and hardened mortar to determine properties such as viscosity, setting time, porosity, density, compressive strength etc. These properties were analyzed in relation to the defined factors, using statistical tools ANOVA and t-student. The relationship between these properties was verified through a study carried out correlating them two by two. In some cases the results from using sandy waste did not follow the expected trend that was presented in the literature for the mortar using natural sand. The data from carbonation test showed that mortar with sandy waste should be preferably used in structures without steel, for example, in sidewalks. From the analysis of the results of all properties, the Formulation with the cement CP V, cement: waste proportion = 1:2, and water / cement ratio = 0.80 showed good workability and setting time appropriate, therefore it was selected as basis for tests in pilot scale. Additionally, the density, 2.05 g.cm-3, and compressive strength 19.2 MPa of the final product are suitable for their use as artifacts to construction. Tests for 300 days of some specimens evidenced the stability of the final products. Finally this work has built the base for the studies of pilot plant scale and the economical viability of the waste sandy cementation process.

This study investigates how risk management in general, and hedging in specific is used  in industries that produce and sell raw materials. We investigated the hedging strategies in the Swedish mining industry. We gathered data for this study from five interviews with CFO’s and Head of treasury’s from five different Swedish mining companies in order to get their  expertise and opinions of hedging. We found that companies only hedged their commodity prices if they were forced by circumstances outside of their control. We also found interesting similarities and differences between state-owned and publicly traded companies.