JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner Xstrata has given R19.5-million for engineering research and the construction of an engineering study centre at the University of Pretoria (UP).

Some R12-million would be immediately available for the construction of the centre at the Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology Faculty, while the balance would be provided in equal amounts over three years for engineering research.

The research will be undertaken under the auspices of the newly established chair in pyrometallurgy, Xstrata CEO Mick Davis, who officially inaugurated the programme at UP on Tuesday, commented.

“We believe investment in this country’s young people is crucial to ensuring the mining and industrial sectors can continue to make their vital contribution to South Africa’s prosperity.

“The UP provides an important link to the country’s future development, and the engineers of tomorrow would benefit from this study facility, to help construct a promising future for the mining sector and the wider South African economy,” Davis said.

UP is the largest provider of engineering graduates into the South African economy. Xstrata said its funding would facilitate an increased intake of engineering students and would expand the scope of postgraduate studies to include cutting-edge development, in a range of different engineering disciplines.

“Xstrata’s global success has been founded on a spirit of entrepreneurship and a belief that people perform best when given the freedom, responsibility and confidence to grow, and we place great value in developing our people to their full potential,” Davis added.

“We aim to strengthen and grow our engineering programmes by increasing access and the success of our students through our augmented programmes, close cooperation with industry and increasing our research intensity. The Xstrata intervention will assist tremendously by supporting both teaching, by contributing to the creation of an engineering study centre, as well as research, by supporting a chair in the modelling of pyrometallurgical processes,” faculty dean Professor Roelf Sandenbergh said.
 

To subscribe to Mining Weekly's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.