This paper investigates the sustainability, trans-boundary protection of resources and mining with particular emphasis on the Coal of Africa case example. It explores the issues pertaining to the sustainability and trans-boundary protection of resources that were taken into account as part of the decision- making process with regard to mining by Coal of Africa in the Greater Mapungubwe area in South Africa. At the centre of the dispute was the mining of coal by Coal of Africa without obtaining a water use licence and other related legal authorisations. This was in violation of sector specific legislation such as the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, to name just a few. The importance of the Mapungubwe area is that it has a world heritage site and the mining is taking place adjacent to the world heritage site. Therefore, the mining activities by Coal of Africa should be conducted in a sustainable manner and should take into cognisance the four pillars of sustainability, namely, the environment, economic, social and cultural aspects. Furthermore, the mining activities must also take into account principles of sustainable development. The role of the government in regulating mining activities in areas such as Mapungubwe to ensure trans-boundary protection of resources including mineral resources for the current benefit of the communities and future use. In addition, regional instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Cultural Charter for Africa, SADC Treaty, SADC Protocol on Mining, provide for sustainable development. Also, the Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses places an obligation to parties to a shared watercourse to consult before embarking on any activity that may have detrimental environmental consequences. This paper established that to a certain degree economic issues were considered, as mining has the benefits of job creation. However, the failure by Coal of Africa to obtain the water use licence in the beginning could have been avoided. It is recommended that for such future activities an Intergovernmental Mining and Sustainability Forum be established to deal with such issues. In order for such a Forum to effectively function, there is need to amend 2013 MPRDA Amendment Bill. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This paper investigates the sustainability, trans-boundary protection of resources and mining with particular emphasis on the Coal of Africa case example. It explores the issues pertaining to the sustainability and trans-boundary protection of resources that were taken into account as part of the decision- making process with regard to mining by Coal of Africa in the Greater Mapungubwe area in South Africa. At the centre of the dispute was the mining of coal by Coal of Africa without obtaining a water use licence and other related legal authorisations. This was in violation of sector specific legislation such as the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, to name just a few. The importance of the Mapungubwe area is that it has a world heritage site and the mining is taking place adjacent to the world heritage site. Therefore, the mining activities by Coal of Africa should be conducted in a sustainable manner and should take into cognisance the four pillars of sustainability, namely, the environment, economic, social and cultural aspects. Furthermore, the mining activities must also take into account principles of sustainable development. The role of the government in regulating mining activities in areas such as Mapungubwe to ensure trans-boundary protection of resources including mineral resources for the current benefit of the communities and future use. In addition, regional instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Cultural Charter for Africa, SADC Treaty, SADC Protocol on Mining, provide for sustainable development. Also, the Revised SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses places an obligation to parties to a shared watercourse to consult before embarking on any activity that may have detrimental environmental consequences. This paper established that to a certain degree economic issues were considered, as mining has the benefits of job creation. However, the failure by Coal of Africa to obtain the water use licence in the beginning could have been avoided. It is recommended that for such future activities an Intergovernmental Mining and Sustainability Forum be established to deal with such issues. In order for such a Forum to effectively function, there is need to amend 2013 MPRDA Amendment Bill. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Eskom is under increasing pressure to provide reliable and sustainable electricity. Demand Side Management (DSM), offers a short– to medium–term solution to this problem. During 2009, the mining sector consumed approximately 16% of the domestic electricity supplied by Eskom. This made the mining sector one of the major targets for Eskom–initiated DSM programmes. The mining industry uses compressed air for a wide variety of applications and production purposes. This creates many opportunities to reduce electricity consumption and operating costs. Reducing the airsystem demand may however not result in significant electrical energy savings, unless the compressed–air supply is accurately managed to meet the reduced demand. Until recently, compressor control in the mining sector generally consisted of operating the compressors continuously, regardless of the actual demand for compressed air. Excessive compressed air is blown off into the atmosphere resulting in energy loss. This usually occurs when the compressors are operated manually. A computer–controlled compressor management solution, which optimises the efficiency potential of the compressed–air supply, is required to obtain significant electrical energy savings. The need for such a solution was addressed by the development of an energy management solution for mine compressor systems. This solution is referred to as Energy Management System (EMS) and is capable of starting, stopping, loading and unloading compressors. In addition to this, compressor output can be controlled to maintain a desired pressure set–point. In this study, the development and implementation of EMS on ten different mine compressor systems is presented. Automatic compressor capacity control was implemented, while an operator manually initiated compressor starting; stopping; loading and unloading, according to EMS control schedules. Centralised compressor control is one of the main advantages offered by EMS, especially for compressed–air systems with multiple compressor systems at different geographic locations. EMS facilitated effective and sustainable electrical energy reductions for all these compressed–air systems. / Thesis (M. Ing. (Computer and Electronical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Eskom is under increasing pressure to provide reliable and sustainable electricity. Demand Side Management (DSM), offers a short– to medium–term solution to this problem. During 2009, the mining sector consumed approximately 16% of the domestic electricity supplied by Eskom. This made the mining sector one of the major targets for Eskom–initiated DSM programmes. The mining industry uses compressed air for a wide variety of applications and production purposes. This creates many opportunities to reduce electricity consumption and operating costs. Reducing the airsystem demand may however not result in significant electrical energy savings, unless the compressed–air supply is accurately managed to meet the reduced demand. Until recently, compressor control in the mining sector generally consisted of operating the compressors continuously, regardless of the actual demand for compressed air. Excessive compressed air is blown off into the atmosphere resulting in energy loss. This usually occurs when the compressors are operated manually. A computer–controlled compressor management solution, which optimises the efficiency potential of the compressed–air supply, is required to obtain significant electrical energy savings. The need for such a solution was addressed by the development of an energy management solution for mine compressor systems. This solution is referred to as Energy Management System (EMS) and is capable of starting, stopping, loading and unloading compressors. In addition to this, compressor output can be controlled to maintain a desired pressure set–point. In this study, the development and implementation of EMS on ten different mine compressor systems is presented. Automatic compressor capacity control was implemented, while an operator manually initiated compressor starting; stopping; loading and unloading, according to EMS control schedules. Centralised compressor control is one of the main advantages offered by EMS, especially for compressed–air systems with multiple compressor systems at different geographic locations. EMS facilitated effective and sustainable electrical energy reductions for all these compressed–air systems. / Thesis (M. Ing. (Computer and Electronical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Mynbou is belangrik vir die ekonomie van ʼn land en word daarom aangemoedig. Mynbou is in wese onvolhoubaar vanuit ʼn omgewingsbewaring perspektief. Artikel 24 van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 bepaal dat die staat die omgewing moet beskerm vir huidige en toekomstige geslagte, maar dat regverdige ontwikkeling toegelaat moet word. Landbou is net so belangrik vir ʼn land se ekonomie as vir sy mense. Artikel 27(b) van die Grondwet maak voorsiening vir ʼn reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water. Landbou kan, net soos mynbou, ʼn impak op die omgewing hê. Dit gebeur egter dat mynbou in konflik met landbou kom, in die sin dat grond gesteriliseer word sodat dit nie meer vir landboudoeleindes gebruik kan word nie en gevolglik ook nie meer tot voedselsekerheid kan bydra nie. Die Nasionale Waterwet 36 van 1998 bepaal dat dit van kardinale belang is dat Suid-Afrika se waterhulpbronne beskerm, gebruik, ontwikkel, bewaar, bestuur en beheer word. Dit geld vir beide mynbou en landbou. In die Kalahari-distrik ontstaan daar konflik tussen die boere en myne (hoofsaaklik Sishen- en Khumani-ysterertsmyne) rakende watergebruik. Groot hoeveelhede water word uit die grond gepomp vir mynbou-aktiwiteite en om in die mynwerkers se daaglikse behoeftes te voorsien. Mynbou mag moontlik ʼn impak op voedselsekerheid hê, aangesien weiding verswak en die kameeldoringbome, wat voedsel aan diere in hierdie omgewing verskaf, moontlik kan doodgaan en ekosisteme vernietig word weens die watertekort. Dit is dus nodig om vas te stel hoe die reg moontlike konflik tussen die regte van myne en boere sal aanspreek en oplos. Deur die verloop van die studie word verskeie onderliggende en funderende temas aangespreek, onder andere: (a) Artikel 24 van die Grondwet, die reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water; (b) mynbou en landbou se watergebruik, hoe konflik rakende water gereguleer word en die toepassing daarvan op die Kalahari. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The closure of a mine is an inevitable event in the lifecycle of a mining operation and one that can have massive environmental, social and economic consequences for mining communities in particular. The ultimate goal of mine closure should be sustainable development and, while adequate planning, risk assessment and goal setting influence the mine closure process, the relationships between stakeholders, especially those between mining companies and communities, lie at the heart of implementing sustainable closure. Mining communities are affected by nearby mining operations and, although they can enjoy the economic benefits of the industry, they also bear the brunt of the negative social and environmental impacts. The focus on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in addition to the increased power of communities in recent years has forced mining companies to consider the interests of this stakeholder group. The community‟s perceptions and expectations of sustainable development can, however, differ from those of the mining company and have an influence on the stakeholder engagement process. The current study investigates the mining community of Kagiso‟s perceptions of sustainable development and the implications of these perceptions for the implementation of Mintails Mogale Gold Mine‟s approach to mine closure. Stakeholder engagement issues are brought to the fore and recommendations for improving the engagement between the mine and the community are proposed. / M (Development and Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Mynbou is belangrik vir die ekonomie van ʼn land en word daarom aangemoedig. Mynbou is in wese onvolhoubaar vanuit ʼn omgewingsbewaring perspektief. Artikel 24 van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 bepaal dat die staat die omgewing moet beskerm vir huidige en toekomstige geslagte, maar dat regverdige ontwikkeling toegelaat moet word. Landbou is net so belangrik vir ʼn land se ekonomie as vir sy mense. Artikel 27(b) van die Grondwet maak voorsiening vir ʼn reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water. Landbou kan, net soos mynbou, ʼn impak op die omgewing hê. Dit gebeur egter dat mynbou in konflik met landbou kom, in die sin dat grond gesteriliseer word sodat dit nie meer vir landboudoeleindes gebruik kan word nie en gevolglik ook nie meer tot voedselsekerheid kan bydra nie. Die Nasionale Waterwet 36 van 1998 bepaal dat dit van kardinale belang is dat Suid-Afrika se waterhulpbronne beskerm, gebruik, ontwikkel, bewaar, bestuur en beheer word. Dit geld vir beide mynbou en landbou. In die Kalahari-distrik ontstaan daar konflik tussen die boere en myne (hoofsaaklik Sishen- en Khumani-ysterertsmyne) rakende watergebruik. Groot hoeveelhede water word uit die grond gepomp vir mynbou-aktiwiteite en om in die mynwerkers se daaglikse behoeftes te voorsien. Mynbou mag moontlik ʼn impak op voedselsekerheid hê, aangesien weiding verswak en die kameeldoringbome, wat voedsel aan diere in hierdie omgewing verskaf, moontlik kan doodgaan en ekosisteme vernietig word weens die watertekort. Dit is dus nodig om vas te stel hoe die reg moontlike konflik tussen die regte van myne en boere sal aanspreek en oplos. Deur die verloop van die studie word verskeie onderliggende en funderende temas aangespreek, onder andere: (a) Artikel 24 van die Grondwet, die reg op toegang tot voldoende voedsel en water; (b) mynbou en landbou se watergebruik, hoe konflik rakende water gereguleer word en die toepassing daarvan op die Kalahari. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The closure of a mine is an inevitable event in the lifecycle of a mining operation and one that can have massive environmental, social and economic consequences for mining communities in particular. The ultimate goal of mine closure should be sustainable development and, while adequate planning, risk assessment and goal setting influence the mine closure process, the relationships between stakeholders, especially those between mining companies and communities, lie at the heart of implementing sustainable closure. Mining communities are affected by nearby mining operations and, although they can enjoy the economic benefits of the industry, they also bear the brunt of the negative social and environmental impacts. The focus on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in addition to the increased power of communities in recent years has forced mining companies to consider the interests of this stakeholder group. The community‟s perceptions and expectations of sustainable development can, however, differ from those of the mining company and have an influence on the stakeholder engagement process. The current study investigates the mining community of Kagiso‟s perceptions of sustainable development and the implications of these perceptions for the implementation of Mintails Mogale Gold Mine‟s approach to mine closure. Stakeholder engagement issues are brought to the fore and recommendations for improving the engagement between the mine and the community are proposed. / M (Development and Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Global growth in mining activities has resulted in stiff competition for talented employees and characterised the mining industry with high turnover rates. The South African mining environment has not been an exception to this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to inform the design of talent retention strategies through determination of turnover intention predictors and exploration of the turnover process experienced by employees. The study hypothesised that job satisfaction and affective organisational commitment mediate the effect of overall justice, centralisation, trust and job challenge on turnover intentions. A cross-sectional survey design with a random sample of trainers and learners from a South African gold mining company was used (n=171 and n=230, respectively). Results indicate that job satisfaction mediates the effect of centralisation on turnover intention for learners. Only job satisfaction directly predicts turnover intention for trainers, and overall justice and trust play a direct role in the prediction of turnover intention for learners. It was also found that job challenge predicts job satisfaction for trainers, whilst job challenge, centralisation and trust predict job satisfaction for learners. Therefore, to retain trainers, the mining company should focus on enhancing those factors that facilitate job challenge perceptions and job satisfaction. In retaining learners, its thrust should be increasing job challenge, decentralisation, overall justice, trust and job satisfaction. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Global growth in mining activities has resulted in stiff competition for talented employees and characterised the mining industry with high turnover rates. The South African mining environment has not been an exception to this phenomenon. The aim of this study was to inform the design of talent retention strategies through determination of turnover intention predictors and exploration of the turnover process experienced by employees. The study hypothesised that job satisfaction and affective organisational commitment mediate the effect of overall justice, centralisation, trust and job challenge on turnover intentions. A cross-sectional survey design with a random sample of trainers and learners from a South African gold mining company was used (n=171 and n=230, respectively). Results indicate that job satisfaction mediates the effect of centralisation on turnover intention for learners. Only job satisfaction directly predicts turnover intention for trainers, and overall justice and trust play a direct role in the prediction of turnover intention for learners. It was also found that job challenge predicts job satisfaction for trainers, whilst job challenge, centralisation and trust predict job satisfaction for learners. Therefore, to retain trainers, the mining company should focus on enhancing those factors that facilitate job challenge perceptions and job satisfaction. In retaining learners, its thrust should be increasing job challenge, decentralisation, overall justice, trust and job satisfaction. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.