Network Analysis of the Energy - Minerals Supply Chain

Supporting the sustainable development of society requires effective management and processing of natural resources which form the primary inputs to the economy. In the South African and Australian economies there is a strong reliance on fossil fuels and metallic mineral inputs. At present these resource sectors focus on being suppliers of primary commodities, and give little consideration to both alternative inputs and downstream product uses. In order for these sectors to remain competitive in a changing global market, it is proposed that the focus of resource sectors needs to move from primary commodity supply to provision of product concepts within the extended value chain. In this paper we argue that metallic minerals represent a non-traditional source of energy which is undervalued and under-utilised. We explore the application of a network analysis for the exploration of the interactions within the extended minerals/energy supply chain, and discuss how network analysis assists in highlighting the potential for development of partnerships in supporting the drive towards sustainability. Since resources are often located in remote areas, the proposed network focussed approach has potential for identifying opportunities for regional economic development.