Modern Mining March 2019

MINING News

Students visit world-class Training Academy

our targeted and holistic approach, in which we apply simulators in a blended learning experience,”says Tony Pretorius, the education, training and development (ETD) executive at Murray & Roberts Cementation.“This improves the way we transfer knowledge and build capacity among South African companies to strengthen and build the local mining sector.” Learners at Bentley Park complete struc- tured e-learning modules, followed by visual training and pre-simulation training. They then undergo simulation training, followed by in-workplace learning using an actual machine under the direct supervision of a competent person. “This is how we apply the situational leadership development model of ‘Tell, Sell, Participate and Delegate’,” says Pretorius. 

Final year mining engineering students from the University of Pretoria recently had a taste of Murray & Roberts Cementation’s highly effective simulated learning environment. The company’s world-class Training Academy at Bentley Park near Carletonville in Gauteng Province offers a unique blend of e-learning and experiential learning in simula- tion conditions. The facility includes mock-ups of mine development areas and shafts, as well as a virtual reality blast wall which the Tuks stu- dents were able to experience. With their leading-edge, technology-driven approach, executives from Murray & Roberts Cementation often lecture at local tertiary institutions and universities, adding to the knowledge base of students. “The Tuks students were able to appreciate

Final year mining engineering students from the University of Pretoria recently had a taste of Murray & Roberts Cementation’s highly effective simulated learning environment.

Hybrid power system possible for Prieska project Orion Minerals, the ASX- and JSE-listed mining company, has entered into a col- laboration agreement with juwi Renewable Energies to investigate renewable energy generation for its flagship Prieska zinc- copper project.

try with its hot, dry climate and is also very well-suited for wind farms,” said Errol Smart, Managing Director and CEO of Orion. The region is already a well-established renewable energy generating region with 190 MW of solar power plants in operation and 240 MW of wind power currently under construction immediately adjacent to the Prieska project. The preliminary scope is to investigate the feasibility of generating and supply- ing 35 MW of electricity for the Prieska project from a hybrid power system using integrated wind and solar technologies. The renewable energy generation site will be located within 20 km of the project, making the establishment of a dedicated feed via an overhead power transmission line possible. 

The investigations into renewable energy solutions at the Prieska project will complement the ongoing Bankable Feasibility Study, with the additional benefit of potentially improving the base case plan of obtaining national grid power directly from the Cuprum sub-station already estab- lished on site. “This agreement is in line with our strat- egy to make best use of our geographic advantage in the semi-arid Northern Cape Province of South Africa. This region has the highest irradiance levels in the coun-

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