The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) School of Mining Engineering paid tribute to its former head, Professor Fred Cawood, during a celebratory function, citing among his contributions to the mining industry his work in addressing the target of achieving zero harm through digital mine projects.
During the function, Wits Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Professor Ian Jandrell mentioned that Cawood, whose tenure as head of school ended at the end of 2014, recognised at the outset that technology was a game-changing direction to take and worked closely with industry stakeholders to ensure active collaboration.
The new head of the school Professor Cuthbert Musingwini, noted that Cawood had left an indelible mark and had strengthened and set the direction of the school during his term as head.
“The school has grown substantially in terms of student numbers and special projects, while building its profile and network of industry partnerships,” said Musingwini.
Cawood lectured various levels of study and supervised PhD and MSc students while being actively engaged in his own research across a range of fields from mine economics and mineral rights, taxation and rent, to the development and application of digital technologies in mines. He is also a C1 National Research Foundation-rated scientist.
“In the last five years alone, Cawood produced 44 academic articles published in accredited journals or in conference proceedings, mining magazines, research reports, symposium addresses, seminars and lead editorials,” noted Musingwini, adding that in his 17 years at Wits, Cawood amassed 50 publications, 44 conference papers and 24 research reports to his name – “a truly outstanding record of academic achievement”.