Close links with industry enhance value created by Wits School of Mining Engineering

For the mining sector to fully benefit from fast-moving scientific advancements, there must be a steady flow of young minds from universities – with both a grounding in established disciplines and an appreciation of the opportunities afforded by new technologies.

The learning process through which students develop this expertise relies on a depth of collaboration between the university and mining companies, according to the head of the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Mining Engineering, Dr. Paseka Leeuw.

“Mining is a key consumer of technology, and practitioners in the sector are continually absorbing this technology into their disciplines – to the benefit of mining operations,” said Dr. Leeuw. “The more we can expose our students to the industry during their studies, the more they can understand and advance the technologies they learn about.”

Value of data

The progress in the digital sphere, for instance, has highlighted the value of data in tracking and optimising mining and process plant operations. The conversion of data into information, and in turn into knowledge and business intelligence, has become an important focus of the School’s teaching and research.

“On the strength of our relationships with mining industry players, the School works hard at opening doors for students – into mining companies and other organisations who share our commitment to skills development,” he said. “Just as we need them to give our students experience, so they are rewarded by the value of the research and other contributions that our students offer over time.”

Professor Bekir Genc, responsible for research and innovation in the School, pointed out that a vital platform provided to students by the School includes not only foundational knowledge in science and engineering, but the inspiration and ability to think in innovative ways about problems and their solutions.

Problem-solving skills

“Industry expects a high level of problem-solving ability, and the School must also meet the stringent requirements of the Engineering Council of South Africa – which accredits our courses,” said Professor Genc.

Students in the school’s post-graduate programme contribute directly to innovation in mining through their research reports, said Dr Leeuw. Over fifty percent of our postgraduate research is aimed at solving a specific challenge faced by the sector. The school also collaborates with research institutions like the Mandela Mining Precinct and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Ohveshlan Pillay, a lecturer in the school with a focus on rock engineering, and Chairperson of the South African National Institute of Rock Engineering (SANIRE) Gauteng Branch, highlighted how academic staff engaged leading professionals in the mining sector for roles such as external examiners.

“As academics, we co-teach and co-assess with these experts in the field, who often contribute to the lecture programme,” said Pillay. “We also encourage students to engage with industry professionals through the various associations and societies.”

Guiding students in research

The SANIRE for instance, holds regular gatherings each year – one of which is hosted by the School. Students learn directly from the technical talks at these events and start to network with their future peers, he explained. Similarly, other organisations across the mining sector host technical events and forums to which our students are regularly exposed to.

“As importantly, our teaching staff will often be in a position to guide postgraduate students into research projects with direct value for mining companies, and to supervise these projects to ensure the most productive outcomes,” he said. “This has led to considerable value addition to the sector as a whole, often in immediate financial terms but especially in longer term innovations.”

He noted that the research of postgraduate students is frequently published in respected journals alongside their academic supervisors. A leading rock engineering expert and Emeritus Professor at the school, Professor T.R. (Dick) Stacey, acknowledged the role of student research in a 2017 paper he wrote on ‘Rock Engineering as a Creator of Value’.

“He called the paper a ‘celebration’ of the students he had supervised in his field over the years,” said Pillay. “Conducting their research while employed on mines, in consulting companies and in research organisations, these students make a valuable contribution to the mining industry.”