Dwyka Labs, which is the innovation and training unit of Dwyka Mining Services, and Tharisa Minerals have jointly launched a Drone Academy at the latter’s Tharisa mine, in the North West province. Tharisa Minerals is most unusual in holding a Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS) Operating Certificate. (Drone is the popular name for RPAS, which are also called Uncrewed Air Vehicles, or UAVs.)

The Drone Academy has an initial cohort of 20 trainees. The intent is that, after qualifying, they will be able to support mine survey and security operations and mine planning. The trainees were selected from the mine’s host communities, and will be assessed during the course in order to refine the future curriculum. The identification of talent for both current and future roles is an integral part of the programme.

“Our approach to this training is supportive and focused,” explained Tharisa Minerals Group senior manager: learning and development Caroline Raphoto. “Engaging our fence-line and broader neighbouring communities is central to the future sustainability of this operation and others as the group expands operations at Karo in Zimbabwe. When technology is adopted and understood through genuine engagement, it becomes a competitive advantage for the mine and the community.”

Mines will be increasingly be adopting robotics and the use of uncrewed vehicles, in both the air and on (and under) the ground. Those vehicles will need operators – pilots, in the case of RPAS.

“We believe, and are encouraged by the support of Tharisa Minerals, that Dwyka Mining Services and Dwyka Labs specifically, can bridge the gap to elevate human potential on mine site [sic] with technology and this is only the beginning,” affirmed Dwyka Mining Solutions CEO Jamie van Schoor. “By bringing industry players like UDS (UAV & Drone Solutions) as ATO- [aviation training organisation-] approved training partner and other contributing stakeholders together, we combine technology, teams and the terrain offered by Tharisa Minerals to make learning real once the theory has been covered.”

In the area around the mine, 60% of young people aged from 15 to 24 years are unemployed. The Drone Academy is seen as an initiative that will provide qualifications that will lead to real work, as well as furthering skills development on the mine itself.