Capital Equipment News September 2021

The week-long training programme took place at SANY Southern Africa’s Boksburg facility.

aspects of mining have traditionally been regarded a men’s territory, with women relegated to support functions. With this operator training programme, she says, Nkwe Platinum and SANY Southern Africa are challenging the status quo. “The traditional cultural stigmas associated with the mining profession have always prevented women to take jobs such as operation of large mining equipment. As a progressive mining company, it is our duty to dispel the notion that women are not capable of operating these huge machines. This initiative is a clear demonstration to young women within our mining communities that women can be at the mine face, too,” says Siphugu. Advocate Vuyokazi Nontso, risk and compliance Manager at Nkwe Platinum, is proud of what the six women achieved during the week-long training. When Capital Equipment News visited the training site on the third day of the programme, the trainees could independently operate the 36-tonne ex- cavator, showing few signs of being novices. “This is a clear indication that women are capable to operate the big mining machines. The problem is that they are not afforded opportunities to do so. There’s no doubt that women work just as hard as the guys do. In most instances they feel as if they have to outdo their male counterparts to get the credit. And I would say, based on my experience, 99% of the time they out-do the guys,” she says. “All women want is a fair deal when they get to a jobsite and to be treated just like the rest of the crew. Give them that and you will be surprised at what you will get from them work-wise.” Commendable effort The government has commended Nkwe Platinum and SANY Southern Africa for

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Nkwe Platinum and SANY Southern Africa have jointly sponsored entry-level excavator training to six women from the Garatau Platinum Mine’s communities

During the week-long training programme, the women learnt about basic components and the structure of excavators, and were also afforded the opportunity to perform basic functions of the machines

SANY Southern Africa provided two experienced trainers and a new 36 tonne SY365H Pro excavator for the training programme

The companies recognise the potential that women can unlock for successful mining operations and understand that their skills development forms a vital foundation for a more productive community

that women empowerment is critical for economic growth. When society talks about growth, women have traditionally been left out. We believe that true community development is achievable when women are empowered.” Zhiyu Fan, MD and CEO of Nkwe Platinum Limited, agrees, saying that Nkwe Platinum and the Zijin Mining Group believe that the inclusion of women in the mining sector contributes significantly to mining communities’

sustainable development and long-term economic growth. “We recognise the potential that women can unlock for successful mining operations and understand that their skills development forms a vital foundation for a more productive community,” says Fan. Challenging the status quo Shudufadzo Siphugu, finance manager at Nkwe Platinum, says the technical

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