Abstract
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
Mining is expensive, but sorely needed as a source of employment and GDP in South Africa. The South African mining sector with the biggest potential, and brightest future, is the platinum sector, but it finds itself challenged to remain competitive as the cost of production increases, while it is not in control of the price at which it sells its products. Because of operational constraints, it is projected that the PGM sector will not meet market demands for its products during the next four to five years. This inability can be partially ascribed to the mines’ lack of available, mineable ore reserves.
Creation of available, mineable ore reserves takes place in the operational cycle, which is largely man-aged as an operational process, as opposed to an environment of project management. This study contemplates the application of project management principles within the production (operational) environment, calling it “operational project management”. Specific emphasis was placed on the de-velopment, ledging, and equipping phases, as it was believed that these could, collectively be seen as a project that prepares mineable ore reserves.
This research shows that the application of project management skills and techniques could signifi-cantly contribute to the sustainability and competitiveness of a platinum mine.