4. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - Faculties submissions

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    The use of 4IR technology in accelerating net zero transition in the South African mining industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Belur, Ramaprasad Deepak; Lee, Gregory John
    This quantitative study aimed to assess the impact of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technology adoption on the ability of South African mining companies to accelerate their transition to net zero, focusing specifically on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There has been an urgent need to research the nature of association, and if so, the impact of such association between rate of adoption of 4IR technology's ability to accelerate net zero transition, given the new challenges in the South African mining sector in the wake of the phase 2 carbon tax regime. Through a comprehensive survey, desktop analysis and subsequent statistical analysis involving multiple mining entities across South Africa, this study investigated the direct and indirect relationships between 4IR technology maturity and the efficacy of GHG emission reduction strategies, thereby accelerating net zero transition. The study revealed a complex relationship between 4IR maturity and GHG emissions, moderated by organisations' access to financial and skill resources. Contrary to expectations, no significant direct indirect linear relationship was found between aspects of 4IR maturity and GHG emissions. The research suggests a moderate, statistically insignificant negative association, which becomes more pronounced and statistically significant when considering organisations' financial status and employee size. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional method using a non- experimental approach and focused on establishing the corelation between two key variables namely, 4IR maturity and acceleration of net zero transition through GHG reduction. The causality of these two variables was not investigated. The study was undertaken by choosing a sample which was representative of the JSE listed mining companies. Hence extended population of global mining organisation needs to consider specific regional considerations before generalising the findings. iii By emphasising the crucial relationship between technological innovation and climate change mitigation, these findings not only advance our understanding of technology's role in environmental sustainability within the mining sector, but also provide useful information to industry stakeholders, policymakers, and sustainability strategists. This work offers a fundamental structure for subsequent investigations and tactical planning with the objective of harnessing 4IR developments to promote a more ecologically conscious and sustainable mining sector in South Africa
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    Improving the Productivity of the Styldrift Platinum Mine using the Theory of Constraints
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Tingini, Tinotenda Lionel
    The purpose of this research was to apply Theory of Constraints (TOC) to identify constraints affecting the Styldrift mine’s productivity and develop strategies on how TOC can be used to improve productivity in operations. Due to limitations in resources, the study was focused only on one crew. To identify the constraints limiting production at Styldrift mine, time and motion studies were conducted for a period of a month. The data was collected from direct observations as well as end of shift production reports. Control charts were then used to summarise the observations of the time and motion studies for each critical activity in each shift. The data from the Control charts was then analysed to identify the constraints. From the Control Charts, it was observed that the main constraint limiting productivity at the crew was the issue of blockages, as it contributed the most (42%) to the factors affecting production. After identifying the main constraint, a root cause analysis was conducted using TOC’s Current Reality Tree (CRT). The root cause analysis identified the mine’s cost cutting drives, the role of the union, long working hours, the mine’s local empowerment policies, and the utilization of the axess rig for other task other than the installation of secondary support, as the core problems leading to the blockages. To develop strategies to solve these core problems, the TOC’s Evaporating Cloud (EC) thought process (TP) tool was applied to come up with more optimal solutions to the identified problems. A Future Reality Tree (FRT) was then constructed using the EC. This research illustrated how the TOC’s thought process tools such as the EC, CRT and FRT can be applied in the mining context to identify constraints limiting productivity and develop strategies to exploit and eliminate those constraints. It however did not manage to illustrate explicitly how the five focus steps of TOC can be applied to improve productivity in the mining context. This is an area further research can focus on
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    Experiences of Thabazimbi Resident Mine Employees Regarding the Perceived Effects of Mining Activities within their Community. The case of Amandelbult Mine in Limpopo, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-09) Ditshego, Mashiatshiti Johanna; Dube, Nkosiyazi
    South Africa’s mining industry has historically been at the heart of the nation’s economy also taking into consideration the country’s high-ranking spot as one of the leading naturally rich resource countries within the world. In reality, the mining industry has played a key part in contributing to the country’s economic growth, and it remains South Africa’s most watched financial segment. However, the mining industry has experienced a major turmoil, since it also brings along socially unintended circumstances within the communities that they operate in, for example an increase of informal settlement, spontaneous mine closures, and the perpetuation of fights inside traditional houses. As much as there are several studies done within the South African mining sector, studies looking into the experiences and perceived effects of mining activities in communities where these mining companies operate are very limited within the South African literature in Occupational Social Work. Therefore, this qualitative study sought to close this gap, as it aims to explore the experiences of Thabazimbi Resident Mine Employees Regarding the Perceived Effects of Mining Activities within their Community. The study was qualitative in nature, with a case study used as the research design. The target population was mine employees residing in Thabazimbi. Purposive sampling was used to recruit (10) mine employees and (2) key informants in the community to be participants for the study, with a semi-structured interview guide employed as a research instrument. Data for the study was collected using face-to-face individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the findings. Findings indicate that mining activities had both positive and negative experiences for the resident employees. Thabazimbi resident employees suggested some recommendations that can be implemented to mitigate the negative effects that they raised in the findings. Recommendations are made in relation future research.
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    Assessment of alternative funding models for the rehabilitation of derelict & ownerless mines in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Ndlovu, Flacco; Wotela, Kambidima; Julia, Mdzikwa
    Limited funding hampers the pace of derelict mine rehabilitation in South Africa. This leads to their perpetual existence and continued negative impacts on surrounding communities. This research aimed to investigate alternative funding models, assess their utility and potential replication from the perspective of industry stakeholders. A cross- sectional study using both closed and open-ended questionnaires; was conducted. The study found preferred funding models to be government-issued bonds, impact bonds, green bonds, sovereign bonds, and sustainability linked bonds. Research findings were thus used to provide recommendations of alternative funding models that can be considered in derelict mine rehabilitation projects in South Africa
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    Effects of cognitive biases and heuristics on mining equipment selection on platinum mines in Rustenburg, South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Ramaphakela, Thabo; Stacey, Anthony
    The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of cognitive bias and heuristics on mining equipment selection, on platinum mines in Rustenburg South Africa. Shaft Engineers, Procurement Manger and Engineering Managers from Rustenburg platinum mines were the participants in the study. A total number of eight interviews were conducted on five mines around Rustenburg. The exploratory design and qualitative approach were used in the study. Interpretive phenomenological and semi-structured interviews approach were used. Open ended question were asked, these kinds of questions allowed the participants to engage and participate effectively. The information was analysed using a thematic approach. Heuristics and bias across life span of a decision maker, have influence in the decision-making ability of the decision maker. Engineering Managers and Shaft Engineers are not immune from cognitive bias, heuristics, and their effects during mining equipment selection. Managers must be rational when selecting mining equipment, but the research indicate that under limited time and lack of information, managers turn to cognitive biasness and heuristics (“Mind shot cut”) during decision making. The study shows that the participants with more experience used fewer heuristics than those with less, especially when the stakes were high. These support that the decision maker who have high cognitive level (Knowledge) use their intuitive “gutfeel” to take a calculated risk. The "bounded rationality" of decision-makers has been acknowledged by decision theories, as having cognitive constraints. People tend to attribute meaning to changes based on their own set of beliefs, perspectives, and conceptions
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    Cultural factors hindering mining technology adoption in South Africa
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Mokgatla, Tshidiso; Wotela, Kambidima
    The performance of South Africa’s mining industry shows a downward trend, with traditional mining practices not suitable to produce minerals economically. The current conditions require technological innovations to safely mine the ore reserves efficiently and cost-effectively. This quantitative cross-sectional study explored possible cultural factors to determine whether they can explain the variance in the behavioural intentions of users to adopt technology in the context of South Africa’s mining industry and to assist the adopters of technology to increase the rate of adoption. The study explored the research hypotheses to determine whether the additional variables can further explain the variance in the behavioural intentions to adopt technological innovations. A random sampling technique was utilised for the study; research respondents consisted of both males and females working across organisational structures in the South African mining industry. The data were analysed using SPSS and applied descriptive statistics to test a proposed model for accepting technology in the South African mining industry. The study provides recommendations and the results of the study add to the body of knowledge in the field of technology acceptance.
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    Enterprise and supplier development as a sustainability construct in mining communities
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mashego, Lesego; Totowa, Jackques
    Sustainability is an integral part of mining in South Africa as the sector grapples with criticism that enough is not being done to support development of mining communities. Enterprise and supplier development (ESD) is one of the ways in which the mining sector contributes to development of businesses operating in the host communities as well as those supplying the operations. These activities are intended to promote entrepreneurship and enable these enterprises to create jobs through provision of support, training, mentorship and funding. This paper investigated whether mining companies’ ESD programmes and the way they are implemented contribute to sustainable enterprises and suppliers in South African mining communities. This was done by analysing content of several reports of mining companies to establish the intention of these companies with respect to establishment of these programmes and the outcomes they are achieving. This was then followed by interviews with beneficiaries of this programmes to gauge whether there is alignment between the companies and the beneficiaries in terms of what constitutes sustainability as well as to determine whether the beneficiaries find value in these activities. With the research questions aimed at accessing thoughts, feelings, experiences and opinions of research participants, the research methodology employed was qualitative. These were then analysed, common themes established and interpretations made around these themes were discussed. A notable finding is that while there is an agreement in terms of what constitutes sustainability, there is a challenge in terms of access to markets – i.e. the exposure and possible exploitation of available supply chain opportunities by these enterprises to enable them to grow
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    The impact of employee engagement on performance in the South African gold mining industry
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Rusere, Jeremy; Larbi, Lee
    The purpose of the study was to evaluate factors that influence employee engagement at five gold mining companies in South Africa as well as to determine the effect of employee engagement on employee performance. Additionally, the research aimed to recommend strategies that promote employee engagement at the concerned companies. The research followed a quantitative approach, whereby data collection was by means of a questionnaire distributed online to 600 participants out of which 329 participants provided valid responses. Standard multiple linear regression was applied to the data set to determine the cause-and-effect relationships between eight predictors (compensation, work from home, work environment, organisational policies, training and career development, team and co-worker relationship, employee wellbeing and leadership) and employee engagement. Similarly, the research applied multiple regression analysis to establish the influence of employee engagement on employee performance. The research found that compensation as well as work from home were statistically significant and positively predicted employee engagement. Based on these findings, this empirical work recommended executives of the five gold mining companies to review compensation of the workforce with a view to drive employee engagement in this economically crucial industry
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    The perception of the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the production in South African mines
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Ledwaba, Solomon
    The aim of the study was to explore the perception of Fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR) strategies and practices in relation to production process performance in the mining industries at selected mines in South Africa. The study followed a quantitative research methodology, and a sample of 110 employees at the selected mines in South Africa, consisting of 60 mine workers, 10 information technology employees, 10 middle managers, 10 operations managers, 10 health and safety personnel, and 10 executive officers were drawn using a simple random sampling approach. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert Scale. Data were analysed using the SPSS version 4.1. Findings from the study reveal that employee level of awareness of the concept of 4IR and associated technologies had a significant impact on how employees perceived the current 4IR strategies. Though findings show that a high percentage of employees were involved in the 4IR strategy development process, most believe that the current 4IR strategies and practices did not fully represent the interests of all stakeholders. While some were of the perception that the strategies and practices were designed to improve productivity and reduce employment costs, others believe that it puts workers’ jobs at risk, as mines had started replacing humans with 4IR technologies such as robots and drones. However, findings reveal that the adoption of the 4IR technologies according to the perception of employees, has improved health and safety within the mines
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    Transforming the mining industry: in search of legal certainty and meaningful empowerment
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-02-28) Lawrence, Zinzi Nicollet; Murombo, Tumai
    The South African government adopted the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the Mining Industry in 2004 pursuant to section 100(2)(a) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 to regulate empowerment in the mining industry. Since then, various iterations of the Mining Charter have been published. The legal challenges resulting from the different interpretations of the attainment of the goals set out in the Mining Charter have resulted in uncertainty regarding empowerment and have been the subject of much judicial attention. One of the fundamental issues with the Mining Charter is its status and the lack of authority of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to publish subsequent updated iterations. The growing regulatory burden and uncertainty has increasingly hampered efforts to transform the mining industry. Considering the importance of transformation of the mining industry, this paper analyses the legal and policy impediments to achieving empowerment and proposes solutions to bring about certainty