In what ranks as a landmark development, and in its relentless pursuit to produce miners par excellence, the Department of Mining Engineering under Faculty of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering held two five-day short courses in Geostatistics (2-6 October 2017) and Mining Law (9-13 October 2017) for both conventional students and industry participants from several mining companies, financial organisations, legal firms and entrepreneurs from around the country at the Midlands State University, Zvishavane Campus. Industry participants were drawn from such players as Mimosa, Unki, Zimplats, RioZim and Aryshire Mine.
Through a deliberate, theoretical and practical approach to learning, the Geostatistics short course programme empowered participants with statistical tools to quantify mineral resources and reserves, a key undertaking in mining and mineral exploration projects.
Department of Mining Engineering, Acting Chairperson, Eng. E Z Mandaza, said lessons being drawn from the famous Bre-X Gold Scandal have resulted in a strong demand from the ore investment organisations such as stock exchanges for reliable information. The Geostatistics course equips participants on the nature of deposits and their valuation. Furthermore, the Geostatistics module enables participants to carry out due diligence on mineral deposits as well as successfully prepare for due diligence exercises where they happen to be promoting minerals projects.
The Mining Law course encapsulated the vision of increasing knowledge of laws that regulate the mining industry. The course enhanced participants’ awareness and understanding of their legal obligations in mining and mineral exploration and prepared them for entrepreneurship and administrative roles in the minerals industry.
The Executive Dean of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering, Dr A. Mamuse noted that the program was in keeping with the University’s vision of empowerment and wealth creation among communities. Dr Mamuse also highlighted that through training in valuation and management of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources, which are key steps in the mining value chain, maximum benefits through mineral beneficiation and value addition could be realised.
Both short course programmes ended on a high note with participants being awarded certificates of completion at two colourful presentation ceremonies presided over by Zvishavane Campus Acting Director, Professor A. Viriri, on the 6th and 13th of October respectively. Speaking during one of the ceremonies, Prof. Viriri congratulated and commended participants for choosing to MSU to enhance their knowledge. He also explained that MSU was working hard to bring education closer to communities through its successful multi-campus approach and encouraged participants to suggest any other short courses they would want MSU to consider offering.
Among those who attended the certification ceremonies were the Acting Deputy Registrar, Mr N Shava, Metallurgical Engineering Chairperson, Dr E Muleya as well as various other staff members from the Faculty of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering.