Diversification for sustainable development in coal mining industry: A case of South African coal mining industry
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Date
2022
Authors
Peta, Theresa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The study sought to investigate the diversification strategies that the South African coal mining
industry can adopt when planning for its post-mining economy in order to achieve economic,
social, and environmental sustainability. Literature has been reviewed on the rationale for mining
sustainability, transparency, and diversification for sustainable development and on the benefits of
combined reportage and disclosure in the mining industry in South Africa. Previous studies were
also examined and they showed that mining decline and closures pose severe challenges to mining
firms' sustainability in South Africa. Therefore, when making decisions, mining companies should
consider and integrate issues around the economy, society, and the environment to achieve intergenerational
equilibrium, which is key to sustainable development. The study employed a research
design dependent on secondary data from published mining company reports. The study was
confined to four coal mining companies in South Africa. Both qualitative and quantitative
approaches were used in data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that whilst some
companies made new acquisitions in the same coal mining industry, others expanded their markets
into other industries and that form of diversity is imperative. Therefore, recommendations are that
coal mining companies use diversity through acquisitions for coal mining and also that companies
report environmental effects and resolutions for accountability and transparency.
Description
Dissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2022