South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. However, biodiversity is suffering under the huge demand for natural resources and the increasing dependence of rural communities on these same resources. It has also become apparent that an alarming number of species are threatened, endangered or even destroyed. Surveys have revealed that 34% of the country’s 440 terrestrial ecosystems are threatened. The three severest threats to biodiversity are overexploitation, overgrazing and mining. There is however a range of international, regional, national and local laws and best practice guidelines that aim to protect and preserve the natural faunal and floral diversity of the various rural areas and regions. The prescription of sustainable practices enables communities that depend on the services of ecosystem in their area, to utilise without depleting the resources provided by nature. South Africa is a signing party to more than seven conventions and treaties that either protect or govern biodiversity. In addition to this, the South African government has promulgated eighteen pieces of legislation and guidelines to protect and govern the use of biodiversity. The focus of this study was on the impacts platinum mining have on biodiversity and how effectively these impacts are managed. Data for the case study was obtained from Impala Platinum. Impala leases its land from the Royal Bafokeng Nation and inter alia shares it with the people who use the areas in between for grazing and other subsistence activities. The aim of the study was, in the first place to identify how Impala Platinum’s Environmental Management Plans (EMP’s) and Closure Plan (which manages current and post mining activities and their impacts) are aligned with the various international, national and local requirements for biodiversity management, and secondly to evaluate the effectiveness of the current management measures put in place, which regulates activities impacting on biodiversity. To give effect to the above outcome it was necessary to first identify the various international, national and local treaties, legislature and guidelines. Secondly, an environmental risk assessment was conducted where the current management measure were weighed against the various international, national and local requirements in order to deduce the level of effectiveness of the current EMP’s and Closure plan. It was found that the majority of the EMP’s compiled under the Environmental Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989 (ECA) lack substantive management and preventative measures. It was only in the later EMP’s (between the years 2000 - 2004) that the prescribed management measures improved and became more effective. This was because the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process had matured in South Africa and an entire new regime of more descriptive EIA regulations had been promulgated under the National Environmental Act No. 107 of 1998, which repealed the majority of the outdated ECA regulations. It was also found that the environmental standards, management objectives and priorities that were developed in the EMP’s did not contingently and specifically reflect the conditions in relation to the environmental, developmental and biodiversity contexts to which they apply. The Closure plan on the other hand, was a regurgitation of the same unimaginative objectives focusing on remedying past legacies instead of providing a lasting solution to sustain and improve the environmental conditions left by the mine, and most importantly it does not address the social issues that result from mine closure. For example, the overexploitation and overgrazing of the areas in between the various mining operations by the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s people is a crucial aspect that has not been thoroughly addressed in the respective documents. Habitat disturbance, which was not addressed for instance, requires a wide range of actions e.g. educating local communities on pasture management, post–rehabilitation monitoring, amelioration etc. To improve compliance with current legislation and adherence to the guidelines proposed by best practice initiatives, various recommendations are put forward to control both the negative activities brought on by the Royal Bafokeng and Impala Platinum. These include the implementation of: Biodiversity (inclusive) impact assessment, good environmental governance, the precautionary approach, the ecosystems approach, sustainable biodiversity management practices through conservation planning, biodiversity action plans, stewardship and land care tools, conservation plans, biodiversity offsets, effective mine closure planning and the forming of a Biodiversity Action Steering Committee (BASC). Finally, an eight step model is proposed as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of specifically the platinum mine’s EMP’s and Closure plans to manage activities affecting biodiversity. The model is based on the concepts of direct and indirect drivers of change and the Deming cycle and is an elaboration of the model proposed by UNEP and the International Association of Impact Assessment. The model focuses on both the natural and anthropogenic drivers that may affect biodiversity and will aid the management of a mine to supplement the shortcomings of these documents. As an indirect outcome the model may possibly even improve, the relationship between the specific company and the communities with which it shares its land. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. However, biodiversity is suffering under the huge demand for natural resources and the increasing dependence of rural communities on these same resources. It has also become apparent that an alarming number of species are threatened, endangered or even destroyed. Surveys have revealed that 34% of the country’s 440 terrestrial ecosystems are threatened. The three severest threats to biodiversity are overexploitation, overgrazing and mining. There is however a range of international, regional, national and local laws and best practice guidelines that aim to protect and preserve the natural faunal and floral diversity of the various rural areas and regions. The prescription of sustainable practices enables communities that depend on the services of ecosystem in their area, to utilise without depleting the resources provided by nature. South Africa is a signing party to more than seven conventions and treaties that either protect or govern biodiversity. In addition to this, the South African government has promulgated eighteen pieces of legislation and guidelines to protect and govern the use of biodiversity. The focus of this study was on the impacts platinum mining have on biodiversity and how effectively these impacts are managed. Data for the case study was obtained from Impala Platinum. Impala leases its land from the Royal Bafokeng Nation and inter alia shares it with the people who use the areas in between for grazing and other subsistence activities. The aim of the study was, in the first place to identify how Impala Platinum’s Environmental Management Plans (EMP’s) and Closure Plan (which manages current and post mining activities and their impacts) are aligned with the various international, national and local requirements for biodiversity management, and secondly to evaluate the effectiveness of the current management measures put in place, which regulates activities impacting on biodiversity. To give effect to the above outcome it was necessary to first identify the various international, national and local treaties, legislature and guidelines. Secondly, an environmental risk assessment was conducted where the current management measure were weighed against the various international, national and local requirements in order to deduce the level of effectiveness of the current EMP’s and Closure plan. It was found that the majority of the EMP’s compiled under the Environmental Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989 (ECA) lack substantive management and preventative measures. It was only in the later EMP’s (between the years 2000 - 2004) that the prescribed management measures improved and became more effective. This was because the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process had matured in South Africa and an entire new regime of more descriptive EIA regulations had been promulgated under the National Environmental Act No. 107 of 1998, which repealed the majority of the outdated ECA regulations. It was also found that the environmental standards, management objectives and priorities that were developed in the EMP’s did not contingently and specifically reflect the conditions in relation to the environmental, developmental and biodiversity contexts to which they apply. The Closure plan on the other hand, was a regurgitation of the same unimaginative objectives focusing on remedying past legacies instead of providing a lasting solution to sustain and improve the environmental conditions left by the mine, and most importantly it does not address the social issues that result from mine closure. For example, the overexploitation and overgrazing of the areas in between the various mining operations by the Royal Bafokeng Nation’s people is a crucial aspect that has not been thoroughly addressed in the respective documents. Habitat disturbance, which was not addressed for instance, requires a wide range of actions e.g. educating local communities on pasture management, post–rehabilitation monitoring, amelioration etc. To improve compliance with current legislation and adherence to the guidelines proposed by best practice initiatives, various recommendations are put forward to control both the negative activities brought on by the Royal Bafokeng and Impala Platinum. These include the implementation of: Biodiversity (inclusive) impact assessment, good environmental governance, the precautionary approach, the ecosystems approach, sustainable biodiversity management practices through conservation planning, biodiversity action plans, stewardship and land care tools, conservation plans, biodiversity offsets, effective mine closure planning and the forming of a Biodiversity Action Steering Committee (BASC). Finally, an eight step model is proposed as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of specifically the platinum mine’s EMP’s and Closure plans to manage activities affecting biodiversity. The model is based on the concepts of direct and indirect drivers of change and the Deming cycle and is an elaboration of the model proposed by UNEP and the International Association of Impact Assessment. The model focuses on both the natural and anthropogenic drivers that may affect biodiversity and will aid the management of a mine to supplement the shortcomings of these documents. As an indirect outcome the model may possibly even improve, the relationship between the specific company and the communities with which it shares its land. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002) (MPRDA) and the accompanied Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter aimed to rectify previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provide for the inclusion of women in core mining activities. According to the Act and the Charter, the mining industry was supposed to reach a quota of 10% women in core mining activities by 2009. The amendment of the Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry (launched in 2010) set further requirements in terms of employment equity targets; the Charter requires a 40% historically disadvantaged South African representation in core and critical skills by 2015. Although well intended, the establishment of gender equality in the male-dominant mining sector remains one of the biggest equity challenges in the country and numerous problems accompany the deployment of women in core mining activities. Against this background, the main objective of the study was to critically analyse gender issues in the mining sector and to subsequently develop a conceptual framework that will enable the mining sector to contribute to and ensure the sustainable employment of women in the mining sector. A literature review was done, firstly to provide an understanding of persistent inequalities in society and the workplace, and secondly to gain an in-depth understanding of the variables that have an impact on women in the world of work in general and in the mining sector specifically. An empirical study was conducted to determine and investigate relevant gender-related issues in the mining sector. Quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation) research paradigms were used. From the literature review as well as the empirical study, it is evident that the deployment of women in core positions is still accompanied by various challenges, not only for managers but also for male co-workers as well as the women themselves. Although the numbers of women in the South African mining industry have risen, there is still a long way to go to successfully and sustainably ensure women‟s participation in the industry. Through the literature study and the empirical research, it became clear that various factors need to be considered for the successful and sustainable deployment of women in the mining sector. The study concludes by making recommendations and offering a conceptual framework, with the main pillars being company policies, workplace opportunities, infrastructure facilities, physical ability, health and safety and workplace relations. This framework can be implemented and used by various stakeholders in the mining sector to contribute to the successful and sustainable deployment of women in the mining sector. / PhD (Sociology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002) (MPRDA) and the accompanied Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter aimed to rectify previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provide for the inclusion of women in core mining activities. According to the Act and the Charter, the mining industry was supposed to reach a quota of 10% women in core mining activities by 2009. The amendment of the Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry (launched in 2010) set further requirements in terms of employment equity targets; the Charter requires a 40% historically disadvantaged South African representation in core and critical skills by 2015. Although well intended, the establishment of gender equality in the male-dominant mining sector remains one of the biggest equity challenges in the country and numerous problems accompany the deployment of women in core mining activities. Against this background, the main objective of the study was to critically analyse gender issues in the mining sector and to subsequently develop a conceptual framework that will enable the mining sector to contribute to and ensure the sustainable employment of women in the mining sector. A literature review was done, firstly to provide an understanding of persistent inequalities in society and the workplace, and secondly to gain an in-depth understanding of the variables that have an impact on women in the world of work in general and in the mining sector specifically. An empirical study was conducted to determine and investigate relevant gender-related issues in the mining sector. Quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation) research paradigms were used. From the literature review as well as the empirical study, it is evident that the deployment of women in core positions is still accompanied by various challenges, not only for managers but also for male co-workers as well as the women themselves. Although the numbers of women in the South African mining industry have risen, there is still a long way to go to successfully and sustainably ensure women‟s participation in the industry. Through the literature study and the empirical research, it became clear that various factors need to be considered for the successful and sustainable deployment of women in the mining sector. The study concludes by making recommendations and offering a conceptual framework, with the main pillars being company policies, workplace opportunities, infrastructure facilities, physical ability, health and safety and workplace relations. This framework can be implemented and used by various stakeholders in the mining sector to contribute to the successful and sustainable deployment of women in the mining sector. / PhD (Sociology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The implementation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act was anticipated to have a significant impact on the South African economy and mining industry. The mineral royalty is an effective instrument in the collection of compensation for extraction of mineral resources that cannot be renewed. An overview of the development, evolution and application of the mineral royalty indicated that the newly enacted Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act has constituted a more formal regulative system in determining the royalty amount payable. Various fundamental principles have been established in the act, such as distinguishing between refined and unrefined mineral resources, different royalty formulae to be applied to each of mineral resources and circumstances resulting in a mineral royalty obligation. The South African mining industry has been a cornerstone in forming the economy for many years. The industry has on average contributed approximately 8.8% directly to the country’s gross domestic product during 2011. The potential impact by the new royalty reform was predicted by researchers to impact mining operations’ profitability between 2% and 5%, whilst the sector’s contribution to total taxes was expected to rise by 8%. The actual impact of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act on the country’s fiscal and mining industry was reviewed to determine just how many circumstances have changed in South African mining, if any. The research study has found that although there has been an impact it was not as significant as anticipated. Die implementering van die Minerale en Petroleum Reserwes Tantieme Wet sou na verwagting ‘n groot impak op die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie en die mynbedryf hê. Minerale tantieme is ‘n doeltreffende instrument in die invordering van vergoeding vir die ontginning van minerale hulpbronne wat nie hernu kan word nie. ‘n Ondersoek oor die ontwikkeling, evolusie en toepassing van minerale tantieme het aangedui dat die onlangse Wet op Minerale en Petroleum Reserwes Tantieme ‘n meer formele regulerende stelsel teweeggebring het in die bepaling van tantieme betaalbaar. Verskeie fundamentele beginsels word onderskryf deur die Wet, soos die onderskeid tussen verwerkte en onverwerkte minerale hulpbronne, verskillende tantieme formules toepaslik op elk van die minerale hulpbronne en omstandighede wat lei tot ‘n mineraal tantiem verpligting. Die Suid-Afrikaanse mynbedryf was ‘n hoeksteen in die ontwikkeling van die ekonomie vir baie jare. Die bedryf het gemiddeld ongeveer 8.8% direk bygedra tot die land se bruto binnelandse produk gedurende 2011. Navorsers het voorspel dat die potensiële impak van die nuwe mineraalhervorming mynbou se winsgewendheid met tussen 2% en 5% sou beïnvloed, terwyl die sektor se bydrae tot die totale belasting na verwagting sou styg met 8%. Die werklike impak van die Mineraal en Petroleum Reserwes Tantieme Wet op die land se ekonomie en mynbedryf was hersien om vas te stel presies hoeveel omstandighede verander het in Suid-Afrikaanse mynbou, indien enige. Die studie het bevind dat selfs al het die nuwe tantieme stelsel ‘n impak gemaak op Suid-Afrika, dit nie so wesenlik was soos verwag nie. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / am2014 / Taxation / unrestricted

Since the first democratic election in 1994, the South African labour force has undergone various changes. As a result, a number of laws were implemented, which helped ensure the diverse nature of the South African labour force. Within a diverse workforce, stereotypes are more likely to occur, which is also the focus of the present study. This study explored not only the meaning and origin of stereotypes but also the prevalent stereotypes and the manner in which employees experience these within the South African mining industry. A qualitative research design from a combined phenomenological and hermeneutic approach was used for the purpose of this study by following a case-study strategy. A combination of both purposive and convenience sampling was used and participants’ responses were obtained by making use of semi-structured interviews. The population consisted of participants (N = 15) from different departments within a particular organisation in the mining industry in South Africa. The representation of the population was diverse and included male, female, various age groups, and different racial groups. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Themes, sub-themes, and characteristics were extracted from the data and direct quotations of participants’ responses were analysed to support the findings. It was found that participants of this study are aware of and understand the meaning of stereotypes. Generalisation was the most prominent theme that was evident when asking participants about the meaning of stereotype. During the study it became clear that stereotypes exist within the mining industry and that individuals do entertain stereotypes of other individuals employed in this industry (out-groups), and also about themselves (in-group). The most prominent in-group stereotypes that individuals experienced are racially oriented. These stereotypes were experienced by White individuals, Black individuals and Coloured individuals, and it was mostly negative. The most prominent out-group stereotypes that individuals hold of others in their workplace were found to be occupational stereotypes. During the present study most stereotypes turned out to be negative in nature. Findings of this study also indicated that employees experience stereotypes on three levels, namely emotional, cognitive and behavioural. Participants of this study experienced stereotypes mostly on an emotional level. The study’s findings did show various origins of stereotypes and participants indicated that it originated mostly from secondary exposure. In these instances influences can be a result of factors such as affirmative action, apartheid, social interaction and upbringing. To conclude the study, recommendations were made for future research and practice in an industry with a diverse workforce. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Since the first democratic election in 1994, the South African labour force has undergone various changes. As a result, a number of laws were implemented, which helped ensure the diverse nature of the South African labour force. Within a diverse workforce, stereotypes are more likely to occur, which is also the focus of the present study. This study explored not only the meaning and origin of stereotypes but also the prevalent stereotypes and the manner in which employees experience these within the South African mining industry. A qualitative research design from a combined phenomenological and hermeneutic approach was used for the purpose of this study by following a case-study strategy. A combination of both purposive and convenience sampling was used and participants’ responses were obtained by making use of semi-structured interviews. The population consisted of participants (N = 15) from different departments within a particular organisation in the mining industry in South Africa. The representation of the population was diverse and included male, female, various age groups, and different racial groups. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Themes, sub-themes, and characteristics were extracted from the data and direct quotations of participants’ responses were analysed to support the findings. It was found that participants of this study are aware of and understand the meaning of stereotypes. Generalisation was the most prominent theme that was evident when asking participants about the meaning of stereotype. During the study it became clear that stereotypes exist within the mining industry and that individuals do entertain stereotypes of other individuals employed in this industry (out-groups), and also about themselves (in-group). The most prominent in-group stereotypes that individuals experienced are racially oriented. These stereotypes were experienced by White individuals, Black individuals and Coloured individuals, and it was mostly negative. The most prominent out-group stereotypes that individuals hold of others in their workplace were found to be occupational stereotypes. During the present study most stereotypes turned out to be negative in nature. Findings of this study also indicated that employees experience stereotypes on three levels, namely emotional, cognitive and behavioural. Participants of this study experienced stereotypes mostly on an emotional level. The study’s findings did show various origins of stereotypes and participants indicated that it originated mostly from secondary exposure. In these instances influences can be a result of factors such as affirmative action, apartheid, social interaction and upbringing. To conclude the study, recommendations were made for future research and practice in an industry with a diverse workforce. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In 2011 the mining industry purchased 14.5% of the electrical energy generated by Eskom. During 2011 in South Africa, dewatering pump systems on gold mines were the fourth largest electrical energy consumer on South African mines therefor making dewatering pumps ideal candidates to generate significant financial savings. These savings can be realised by controlling time-of-use (TOU) schedules. Previous studies concentrated on the impact of improving a pumping scheme of a single mineshaft. This dissertation will focus on the operations of a complete dewatering system consisting of multiple mineshafts. The case study will consist of a gold mine complex comprising of five different shafts - each with its own reticulation system – as well as the larger interconnected water reticulation system. Various pumping options were investigated, simulated and verified. The interaction between shafts was determined when load-shifting was scheduled for all the shafts taking each shaft’s particular infrastructure into account. The underground dewatering system was automated and optimised based on the simulation results. Mine safety protocols were adhered to while optimal pump operational schedules were introduced. / Thesis (MIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

In 2011 the mining industry purchased 14.5% of the electrical energy generated by Eskom. During 2011 in South Africa, dewatering pump systems on gold mines were the fourth largest electrical energy consumer on South African mines therefor making dewatering pumps ideal candidates to generate significant financial savings. These savings can be realised by controlling time-of-use (TOU) schedules. Previous studies concentrated on the impact of improving a pumping scheme of a single mineshaft. This dissertation will focus on the operations of a complete dewatering system consisting of multiple mineshafts. The case study will consist of a gold mine complex comprising of five different shafts - each with its own reticulation system – as well as the larger interconnected water reticulation system. Various pumping options were investigated, simulated and verified. The interaction between shafts was determined when load-shifting was scheduled for all the shafts taking each shaft’s particular infrastructure into account. The underground dewatering system was automated and optimised based on the simulation results. Mine safety protocols were adhered to while optimal pump operational schedules were introduced. / Thesis (MIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.