Abstract

In an era of intensifying global competition and operational volatility, supply chain management (SCM) has become a decisive strategic capability for organisations operating in resource-intensive industries such as mining. This study aims to explore the role of effective supply chain (SC) management in enhancing organisational competitiveness within the South African mining sector. The study is academically significant as it addresses a persistent gap in SCM literature on mining in developing economies by integrating Resource-Based Theory, Network Theory, and the SERVQUAL model, while practically it responds to industry challenges of declining productivity, rising costs, and reputational pressures. An interpretivist qualitative research design was adopted, employing a deductive exploratory approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 31 senior supply chain practitioners drawn from 16 mining organisations and 15 general sectors, analysed using thematic analysis supported by ATLAS.ti.25. The findings reveal that effective SC processes enhance competitiveness through improved operational efficiency, cost management, customer satisfaction, risk management, technological integration, human resource development, reputational strength, sustainability, and positive community and socio-economic impact, with these dimensions operating as an interdependent network of capabilities rather than isolated factors. The study concludes that SC effectiveness constitutes a systemic and multidimensional source of competitive advantage in the mining sector, thereby filling a theoretical gap by demonstrating how strategic, relational, and service quality perspectives jointly explain competitiveness. Practically, the study highlights the need for mining managers to adopt an integrated, strategically governed SCM approach and proposes a quality service framework to guide investments in technology, skills development, risk management, and sustainable supply chain practices to strengthen long-term organisational competitiveness.