With its R1.7-billion mine and concentrator at Rust de Winter nearing completion, Sepfluor’s wholly owned Nokeng fluorspar mine last week officially launched the Dr Lelau Mohuba training centre – named after the Sepfluor chairperson.

The R17-million, 2 400 m2 centre was built and equipped in seven months.

Tuition, study materials, transport, clothing and personal protective equipment costs totalling R36 000 per trainee to be covered by the company during the mine’s life.

Sepfluor expects 2 500 people from ten surrounding communities to receive training in boilermaking, fitting and welding, and as electrical aides at the Mining Qualifications Authority-accredited centre over the next ten years.

The centre formed part of the mine’s social and labour plan commitments, noted Sepfluor exploration manager Ntando Nonoise, adding that the centre intended to recruit 60 trainees in every three-month cycle. The first group of 54 trainees was enrolled in the last week of May and should complete its training by the middle of September.

“Before they’ve taken any minerals, they’ve already invested in our people,” noted a community representative and training centre board member, refering to Sepfluor.

Mohuba’s daughter, Lesedi, meanwhile, delivered a speech on behalf of her father, who could not attend, noting that the centre represented Sepfluor’s ethos of training and development. Mohuba thanked the communities for their patience and understanding and added that the company looked forward to all stakeholders growing together.

He further thanked investors for “allowing” the mine to start the construction and development of a community training centre, despite the fact that the mine was still under development and investors had yet to see a return on investment. He lauded his investors and funding partners for “understanding that dividends are not always going to be financial”.

Sepfluor CEO Rob Wagner noted that, in the months since May, the first batch of students had demonstrated the critical skills and attributes required for to be successful. He added that some of the stand-out students would be absorbed by the mine, but that the centre would ultimately assist graduates in finding employment elsewhere.

In his keynote address, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe applauded the community engagement forum, noting: “It’s rare to have an engagement forum that is constructive, rather than destructive.”

He reiterated the importance of transformation, adding that Nokeng’s management structure demonstrated that it could be done and that the benefits of such commitments were evident.

He approved of Nokeng’s intention to raise money for beneficiation, and committed to assisting the mine in this regard, because “beneficiation means we’re not exporting jobs”.

Nokeng started the process of applying for a mining licence in 2004 and attained financial close in 2017.

Development at the openpit fluorspar mine started in July last year.

Construction of the process plant is expected to be completed in the coming months and final handover and first production are expected by February 2019.

Nokeng’s orebody comprises a 12.2-million-tonne reserve. About 630 000 t/y of ore, comprising about 27% calcium fluoride, will be mined over the 19-year mine life. The concentrator will produce up to 180 000 t/y of fluorspar.

The official mine opening is expected to take place in October.