Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: De Beers Marine (Ply) Limited (DBM) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the De Beers group of companies. DBM initially operated as an exploration company, but was pressunsed to transform from a explorative venture to a sustainable and profitable company. This involves operating diamond mining vessels at an unprecedented scale. Project management techniques are used to design, construct and commission these vessels. The problem that DBM is presented with is that its projects are often completed late or under immense pressure to be completed within the allocated time. This study focuses on the performance of these projects from the perspective of scope management to analyse its effect on the outcome of the projects. Literature on project scope management was studied to determine what effective scope management processes should be in place to facilitate a project's success. DBM project data was studied to determine which scope management processes had an effect on DBM project success. The data showed that for the projects that had both quantitative and qualitative information, scope management was highlighted as instrumental in both successful and less successful projects, i.e. in DBM effective scope management contributes to project success. A lack of scope management increases the chances of a project not meeting its required project management parameters. The conclusion is that for DBM projects, there must be a strong focus on upfront scope management processes of initiation, planning and definition. The processes of verification and change control must also be in place and managed well to support the upfront processes.

This memorandum outlines the role of De Beers and its leading position in the international diamond industry. It is designed to give a brief overview of the “diamond pipeline” that leads from prospecting and mining of diamonds in remote parts of Africa and elsewhere to glamorous jewellers’ shops the world oven It looks particularly at the unique and important role South Africa plays in the diamond pipeline.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

The purpose of the study was to critically analyse sections 15 and 36 of the South African Income Tax Act which deals with capital allowances for mining taxpayers from an alluvial diamond miners’ perspective. The South African analysis was also compared to that of Canada and Namibia. In the analysis it was found that the ring fencing provisos in section 36 is unfair towards the alluvial diamond mine due to the potential loss of capital cost allowances and that there are grey areas in this proviso that may lead to disputes between SARS and the taxpayer. It was also found that the cross over from prospecting to mining activities in relation to alluvial diamond mining presents a grey area which might lead to disputes between the tax payer and SARS. It was also found that there is no case law, SARS interpretation notes or practise notes on the application of these sections to provide certainty as to the tax payers’ position. It was recommended that SARS and treasury evaluate and address the identified grey areas and short comings in the current legislation and practises to ensure a fair and equitable tax dispensation for the alluvial diamond miners. Copyright / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Taxation / unrestricted

Industries with conservative mindsets are known for being reluctant toward adoption of new technologies and resistant to change. The diamond business is one of those examples that encounter challenges in implementing disruptive innovations like blockchain technology despite its potential benefits. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the antecedents influencing adoption of disruptive innovations in conservative industries, with a particular emphasis on benefits and challenges of embracing blockchain technology in the diamond industry. Employing a qualitative research approach, this thesis utilizes semi-structured interviews with the four industry experts from different companies. The empirical data is analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model, the Innovation Diffusion Theory frameworks, and contextual data.Findings reveal that most of the antecedents are not favorable to the adoption of disruptive innovations in traditional sectors. Competition was found to enhance the adoption process, while resistance to change, industry heritage, uncertainty, and dependency on industry leaders have unfavorable effects. Transparency, customer trust/pressure were found to have both positive and negative impacts. Findings show that benefits of blockchain technology implementation outweigh its challenges for the diamond industry, however, its observability, and complexity, hinder the adoption due to the fact blockchain is a relatively new technology that is still hard to grasp for most industry professionals. This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge by linking findings to the Technology Acceptance Model and Innovation Diffusion Theory frameworks, exploring deeply conservatism within industries, and identifying antecedents as obstacles and opportunities to widespread blockchain acceptance. Additionally, the researchers provide a solution for observability in the form of an in-depth marketing strategy, which aims at creating a differentiation between ‘blockchain diamonds’ and naturally mined diamonds.

Between 1991 and 2000, Sierra Leone experienced massive state and economic decline amidst a brutal civil war. In a country that is minerally wealthy, but ruled by a corrupt and predatory government, a `revolutionary¿ movement known as the RUF emerged, terrorising the civilian population and profiting from the unsecured diamond industry. The classic causes given for Sierra Leone¿s state collapse and consequent civil war have in large centred around the adverse effects of colonialism, civil unrest due to rampant governmental kleptocracy, and regional conflict spillover. However, the multiplicity of actors in Sierra Leone and the complexity of the environment demonstrate that the ten year civil war revolved predominantly around the country¿s highly lucrative diamonds. Indoctrinated in Qadafi¿s Libya and trained by Taylor¿s NPFL rebels in Liberia, the RUF insurgency created links through Charles Taylor to international criminals such as weapon¿s dealer Victor Bout, and international terrorists including al Qaeda. In just a few years Sierra Leone attained the dubious distinction of being one of the most globalised informal and illegal economies in the world. To the backdrop of Sierra Leone¿s collapsed state, economic vacuum and brutal civil war, and within the context of contemporary economic globalisation and an international `War on Terror¿, this paper discusses the local, regional and international levels of economic exploitation throughout the wartime period, and highlights how informal economies are inherently prone to large scale criminal predation.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: The onset of globalisation has brought major shifts in business conduct where stakeholder expectations and business priorities and obligation are concerned, bringing a whole new meaning to the issue of sustainable development. In the past, sustainable development essentially concerned the environment, particularly the safeguarding of ecological interests through more responsible business practices. However, over the years, this perspective has evolved to give equal priority to economic, ecological, as well as social interests. The shift in business priorities and obligation has increased the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), or the discretionary contribution of corporate resources towards social, environmental and economic development, as defined by the study. The practice of CSR, too, has evolved over time – from being mostly once-off, random philanthropic donations, to a more strategic approach that aligns CSR initiatives with national and corporate objectives. Today, CSR has become an item on many corporate agendas worldwide and hence, the study seeks to explore the concept of corporate social responsibility to gain a deeper understanding of the issue. The aims of the study are to gain an understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility and its dynamics, to establish the nature and scope of CSR at NAMDEB Diamond Corporation, and to establish how CSR at NAMDEB aligns with current global approaches and practices. These will be achieved through an analytical study of CSR literature, an exploration of Government’s expectations of the private sector with regard to CSR, and by exploring NAMDEB’s CSR initiatives and practices. In Chapter 2, the meaning of CSR is explored and defined, followed by a discussion of the history, trends, approaches and practices in CSR. The chapter also presents global initiatives relevant to sustainable development and CSR. Following the literature review, Chapter 3 explores the Government’s expectations of the private sector in terms of its support and involvement in socioeconomic development in Namibia. NAMDEB Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd was selected for the case study, being a leading mining company in Namibia. The Company is the second-largest employer in Namibia, only second to Government, and the country’s largest single taxpayer. In Chapter 4, the study explores the Company’s CSR initiatives and practices to establish the scope and nature of CSR at NAMDEB. The study then seeks to determine the approach adopted by the Company in implementing CSR, and how it aligns with global approaches and practices. The main conclusions of the study and recommendations to the Company are laid down in Chapter 5. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die aanvang van globalisering het ‘n groot verskuiwing veroorsaak aangaande die besigheidspraktyk van belangstellendes, hul besigheidsprioriteite, verantwoordelikhede en ‘n heel nuwe betekenis vir volhoubare ontwikkeling. In die verlede was volhoubare ontwikkeling meer gemoeid met die omgewing, veral die beskerming van sekere ekologiese belange deur middel van meer verantwoordelike besigheidspraktyke. Oor die jare het die konsep van volhoubare ontwikkeling soveel verander en gee nou ook gelyke aandag aan ekonomiese, ekologiese sowel as sosiale belange. Die verskuiwing in besigheidsprioriteite en verantwoordelikhede het die belang van korporatiewe-sosiale verantwoordelikhede (KSV) verhoog, of te wel die oordeelkundige bydrae van korporatiewe hulpbronne vir sosiale-, omgewings en ekonomiese ontwikkeling, soos deur die studie gedefineer. Die praktyk van KSV het ook mettertyd ontwikkel – van eenmalige, willekeurige filantrofiese donasies, na ‘n meer strategiese benadering wat nasionale sowel as korporatiewe objektiewe met KSV inisiatiewe inskakel. Deesdae is KSV ‘n item op agendas van baie wêreldwye korporasies, en gevolglik is die studie se doel om die konsep van KSV te eksploreer en te ontleed om sodoende dit beter te verstaan. Die doel van die studie is om KSV en sy dinamika beter te verstaan asook die omvang van KSV te NAMDEB Diamand Korporasie, en om vas te stel hoe KSV te NAMDEB met huidige wêreldwye benaderings en uitvoerings inskakel. Dié word bereik met ‘n analitiese studie van KSV literatuur, ‘n eksplorasie van die regering se verwagting van die private sektor aangaande KSV, en met die ondersoek van NAMDEB se KSV inisiatiewe en praktyke. In Hoofstuk 2 word die betekenis van KSV eksploreer en gedefineer. Hierop volg ‘n bespreking oor die geskiedenis, tendens, benaderings en uitvoering van KSV. Die hoofstuk beeld ook wêreldwye inisiatiewe wat relevant is tot KSV en volhoubare ontwikkeling. Die literatuur oorsig word deur Hoofstuk 3 gevolg, wat die regering se verwagting van die private sektor in terme van dié se ondersteuning en betrokkenheid by die sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling in Namibie eksploreer. NAMDEB is vir hierdie gevalstudie geselekteer omdat dit ‘n leidende korporasie in die mynwese van Namibia is. Die Maatskappy is die tweede grootste werkverskaffer in Namibie, naas die regering, en is ook die grootste enkel belastingbetaler in die land. Hoofstuk 4 kyk na die Maatskappy se KSV inisiatiewe en praktyke om sodoende die omvang en natuur van KSV té NAMDEB te bepaal. Die studie probeer verder om die benadering wat deur NAMDEB aangeneem is met die implementering van KSV te bepaal en hoe dit met wêreldwye benaderings en praktyke inskakel. Die hoofafleidings van die studie en voorstelle oor KSV aan die Maatskappy word in Hoofstuk 5 bespreek.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Revenue derived from the sales of diamonds contributes significantly towards economic growth, with a GDP share of about 10 per cent. A significant decline in diamond revenue will therefore affect economic growth and contributes negatively to the socio-economic upliftment of the Namibian nation. A case in point was the effects of the global financial crisis on the diamond industry. This study aims to analyse the impact of the global financial crisis on the diamond industry supply chain in the Namibian context. The supply chain analysis involves the studying of the whole chain from the mining of the ore into the chain to the delivering of the rough diamond to the cutting and polishing factories. The main sectors involved in the supply chain are the supply sector which is involved in the extracting of the ore from open-cast, underground, alluvial and sea-bed mines, processing the ore into rough diamonds ready for sorting. The processing sector is involved with maximising the value by undertaking valuations and sorting, which determine the price that is paid for the stones and the presentation sorting which is the process whereby diamonds are prepared for sale in line with clients’ polished requirements. The demand sector is involved in the sales and marketing of the rough diamonds. The following areas have been focused on to analyse the sectors: 1. The market competitiveness, using Porter’s 5-force analysis. 2. A SWOT analysis to determine internal and external environments of the respective sectors. 3. Trend reviews of the activity in each sector for the years 2000–2009. 4. The causes and the responses to the impact of the global financial crisis on each of the sectors. The aim of the analysis is to create a deeper insight into the forces and the impact these forces are having on the rough diamond supply chain. The research revealed that the 2007–2009 global financial crisis had a negative impact on the levels of diamond production in Namibia and also on the economic growth and the living standards of a number of retrenched workers. The study further reveals that despite the negative effects of the global financial crisis, there are positive signs of economic recovery and employment creation.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Diamond mining started in Kimberley in the early 1870s following the discovery of the various diamond bearing kimberlite pipes. Initial open pit mining was replaced by underground mining as the pits went deeper and the last underground mining eventually ceased in 2005 as a result of economic reasons. The mining of these primary resources created a number of tailing resources (previously called dumps) that are scattered all over Kimberley. These resources still contain diamonds as a result of historical inefficient processing technologies. However, each of these resources have unique geological and metallurgical properties because of the differences in the original kimberlites and the different treatment technologies that were used when the tailing resources were deposited. The tailing resources are mined by a fleet of earthmoving equipment and delivered to one of Kimberley Mines‟ five treatment plants for diamond recovery. Each plant is different in terms of treatment capacity, technologies utilised and overall efficiencies. These differences, combined with the geo-metallurgical properties of each individual resource and the hauling distance from the resource to the plant, determine if the specific resource can be treated profitably through that plant. With this array of resources available, Kimberley Mines is in the fortunate position of having flexibility to maximise the Net Present Value (NPV) of the operation. Unfortunately this flexibility also increases the complexity of finding the optimal solution. Mine Planning is currently conducted with a spreadsheet based input – output model but this model is not able to match the resource properties with the plant parameters and this method results in a plan that may be neither practical nor optimal. The model is also very time-consuming and scenario analyses are therefore very limited. This report presents the development of a mixed integer linear programming model to assist with the development of a practical, optimal mine plan. The model is roughly based on a generic model that addresses facility location and processing plant problems as developed by Barbaro & Ramani (1986); however, the model presented in this report includes a more detailed mass balance within the plant and models how the metallurgical properties of the resources affect the mass balances and overall throughputs. The results of the project indicate that the current spreadsheet based Mine Plan is not practical since it violates two mass balance constraints within the Combined Treatment Plant. The newly developed system is used to generate a mining schedule that does not violate any constraints while still delivering the same net present value and overall throughput. The system also illustrates that the plant can improve the annual throughput by 18.2% by changing one screen size. The system also illustrates that only two of the five plants add value and supports management‟s recent decision that the production through the other plants should cease. In summary: The newly developed system generates an optimal, practical mine plan in less than a tenth of the time required for the old spreadsheet based model. The new system can also do various what-if scenarios which the previous model could not answer. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontginning van diamante in Kimberley het in die vroeë 1870s begin na die ontdekking van verskeie diamanthoudende kimberlietpype. Aanvanklike oopgroefmynbou is later vervang deur ondergrondse metodes soos die myne dieper geword het. Die laaste ondergrondse myne het in 2005 produksie gestaak as gevolg van ekonomiese redes. Die ontginning van hierdie primêre reserwes het gelei tot die ontstaan van verskeie uitskotreserwes (voorheen genoem afvalhope) verspreid oor Kimberley. Hierdie reserwes bevat steeds diamante as gevolg van die historiese oneffektiewe aanlegte. Die reserwes het elkeen egter verskillende geologiese en metallurgiese eienskappe as gevolg van die verskille in die oorspronklike kimberliete en die verskillende herwinningstegnologieë wat in gebruik was toe die uitskotreserwes gegenereer is. Die uitskotreserwes word gemyn deur ‟n vloot grondverskuiwingstoerusting en word afgelewer by een van Kimberley Myne se vyf aanlegte vir diamantherwinning. Elke aanleg is uniek in terme van kapasiteit, tegnologieë in gebruik en algehele effektiwiteit. Hierdie verskille, tesame met die geo-metallurgiese eienskappe van elke reserwe en die vervoerafstand van die reserwe na die aanleg bepaal of die spesifieke reserwe winsgewend deur daardie aanleg geprosesseer kan word. Bogenoemde verskeidenheid van hulpbronne gee aan Kimberley Myne die voordeel van buigsaamheid om die Netto Huidige Waarde (NHW) van die myn te maksimeer. Hierdie buigsaamheid vergroot egter die kompleksiteit om die optimale antwoord te vind. Beplanning word tans met ‟n sigblad gebasseerde invoer – uitvoer model gedoen, maar hierdie model is nie in staat om die reserwes se eienskappe by die aanlegte se parameters aan te pas nie. Hierdie metode genereer dus ‟n plan wat moontlik nie prakties of optimaal is nie. Die model is ook tydrowend en scenario analises is dus baie beperk. Hierdie verslag beskryf die ontwikkeling van ‟n gemengde heeltallige lineêre programmeringsmodel vir die ontwikkeling van ‟n praktiese, optimale produksieplan. Die model is losweg gegrond op ‟n generiese model van Barbaro & Ramani (1986) wat fasiliteit posisionering en aanlegprobleme aanspreek. Die model in hierdie verslag bevat egter ‟n meer gedetailleerde massabalans binne die aanleg en modelleer hoe die metallurgiese eienskappe van die reserwes die massabalanse en die algehele kapasiteite beïnvloed. Die resultate van die projek dui daarop dat die huidige sigblad produksieplan nie prakties is nie aangesien dit twee massabalansbeperkings in die Combined Treatment Plant oorskry. Die nuwe stelsel is gebruik om ‟n produksieskedule te genereer wat nie enige beperkings verbreek nie en wat terselfdertyd die aanvanklike netto huidige waarde en totale produksie ewenaar. Die stelsel wys ook dat die jaarlikse kapasiteit met 18.2% verhoog kan word deur een van die sif-groottes te verander. Die stelsel demonstreer ook dat slegs twee van die vyf aanlegte waarde toevoeg en ondersteun bestuur se onlangse besluit dat die produksie deur die ander aanlegte gestaak behoort te word. Ter samevatting: Die nuwe stelsel genereer ‟n optimale, praktiese produksieplan in minder as ‟n tiende van die tyd benodig vir die ou sigblad model. Die nuwe stelsel kan ook verskeie “Wat sal gebeur indien…” scenario‟s hanteer wat die vorige model nie kon beantwoord nie.

Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The tensions in the definition and practical implementation of sustainable development are clear. A number of international codes outline the principles that are considered as good corporate citizenship, but are often based on the priorities of the developed ‘North’. Africa calls for a more development-orientated approach to sustainable development. The subject of this study, Angola, is emerging from a history of slavery, colonialism and civil war. Although richly endowed with natural resources and exemplifying one of the world’s fastest growing economies, Angola scores near the bottom of the Human Development and Corruption Perceptions Indices, thereby typifying the Natural Resource Curse. Understanding sustainable development in this context, multinational corporations involved in exploiting these natural resources, are able to contribute to the sustainable development of Angola through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. An extensive review of the literature, augmented by the author’s experiences (including a recent visit to Angola) as a participant in De Beers’ exploration process allows a number of observations to be made regarding the contribution De Beers can make to the sustainable development of Angola. De Beers, a world leader in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Recently De Beers has resumed exploration activities in Angola and is in a position, and perhaps has an obligation, to play a part in Angola’s reconstruction. This would obviously also have business benefits. As exploration is not an income generating activity the initial contribution will need to focus on conducting exploration activities in a responsible manner through identifying opportunities to collaborate with local communities and institutions on issues of common concern for mutual benefit. Focusing corporate social responsibility actions on core business activities within De Beers’ sphere of influence; linking with existing initiatives and prioritizing a specific sector or geographical area will have a meaningful and lasting impact. Legal compliance and supporting government institutions in their effort to regulate have also been identified as important opportunities. The most significant contribution that De Beers can make through their exploration activities is to the social and human capital of the areas in which they operate. The exploration CSR activities should lay the foundations for a possible future mine, which has the potential to add significantly to the manufactured and financial capital of Angola.