Atlas Copco South Africa together with business areas, Mining and Rock Excavation Technique and Construction Technique, sponsored jackets, beanies and scarves to support final 4th year Wits School of Mining Engineering students on their 2017 mine tour.

The annual initiative involves a tour by 4th year students of surface and underground mining operations in South Africa. The objective of the tour is to provide the students with practical demonstrations of the various mining methods practiced around the country. During the intensive one-week tour, which this year took place from 19 – 22 June, 109 eligible students were accompanied by six lecturers. They were divided into three groups, and each group spent one day at each of four pre-selected mines.

The mine tour forms part of the partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Rock Engineering course at fourth year level and provides requisite exposure for the final Mine Design Project. “Due to the fact that the mine tour provides the foundation for the two courses, it is imperative for all our students to go on the mine tour,” explains Paseka JK Leeuw, Senior Lecturer and Chairperson of the 2017, 4th Year Mine Tour Committee.

As the cost of this tour is often beyond available budgets, corporates involved in the mining industry are approached to partner with the Wits School of Mining Engineering through sponsorships.

When representatives from Atlas Copco handed over the clothing to the final-year students at the Mining Engineering campus on 15th June 2017, they showed great excitement; the warm clothing was particularly welcome given that the mine tour took place in mid-winter!

Next to its core business, corporate social responsibility is a main focus area for Atlas Copco. The company believes that the country’s future hinges on the education and development of learners and students and has implemented numerous successful learnership, internship and apprenticeship programmes at its Jet Park head office in Johannesburg.

Atlas Copco is extremely proud to partner with the Wits School of Mining Engineering in support of this invaluable mine tour initiative that is developing and producing young up and coming mining engineers who will become key contributors to the South African economy.

The Wits School of Mining Engineering extended its sincere thanks and appreciation to Atlas Copco for their generous sponsorship.