Since Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, the search for opportunities for visits and practical training of students in the mining field have not been easy. However, on 20 April 2021, third level UNIVEN Geology students from the Department of Mining and Environmental Geology had an opportunity to visit Maboko Colliery in Mpumalanga. Mr. Thusani Matambele who is the General Manager at Maboko Colliery was excited about this visit. He indicated that this was the first visit by students to their mine. Matambele gave a presentation about their mine operations, thereafter, he acquainted students with the mine surroundings. Among other things, students learned about the mining operations, coal processing and analysis.
Mr. Thusani Matambele (General Manager) explaining the coal mining operations to the group of students who visited Maboko Colliery.
Students were also thrilled by the experience they gained from the visit. Ms. Rambidi Livhuwani who is one of the students who visited the mine said that these kind of visits are very interesting because students practically get to see and practically experience some of the things that they learn in class. These students were highly motivated by meeting the grade control geologist of the Mine, who is also a UNIVEN alumni. When closing his remarks about the visit, Mr. Thusani Matambele encouraged students to work hard and smart to prepare themselves for the mining career, especially in junior mining companies. He emphasised that the future of most emerging geologists is in the junior mining companies, unlike in big companies, where they need to work their way up to the top and prove themselves. Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mining and Environmental Geology at UNIVEN, Dr. Amponsah-Dacosta, expressed profound gratitude to the management of Maboko Coal Mine for affording UNIVEN students the opportunity to visit and practically experience some of the things that they have learned in class.
A group photo taken during the visit at Maboko Colliery
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 10 May 2021
