Modern Mining August 2024

The intake of women in MRTA training interventions has been increasing significantly over the years.

The MRTA has empowered hundreds of unemployed female community residents with basic technical and safety skills.

“During this time, she continued with an Honours degree as well as various safety-related courses,” she explains. “In 2021, she was given the opportunity to obtain site exposure at one of our underground mining projects in the drill and blast quality department, assisting with the drill and blast cycle. After three years of underground shifts, she will apply for her Mine Overseers Certificate of Competency next year.” Another inspiring story is that of Portia Mgabashe, who started with her learnership in 2015 at the MRTA. She then accepted a general worker position at Murray & Roberts Cementation’s mining services project at a Gauteng gold mine for two years, moving to an assistant’s post at the company’s grout plant near Northam. “Mgabashe was promoted to team leader and full-time safety representative for the next six years,” says Hurter. “She continued to upskill herself in courses for Safety Officers, as well as earning qualifications in education, training and development.” With the high influx of unemployed learners at MRTA, she was appointed in 2022 to facilitate and assess learners – in exactly the training programmes that started her mining career. She is currently busy with a moderators’ course. 

AUGUST 2024 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  27