Marais, J. G. L.Peta, Theresa2023-08-282023-08-282022http://hdl.handle.net/11660/12163Dissertation (MDS (Development Studies))--University of the Free State, 2022The 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.enDissertationUniversity of the Free State