Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Dr Penuell M Maduna is proud to announce the graduation of the first Pupil Inspectors of Mines. By completing their practical and theoretical training with the DME, the pupils obtained a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety in Mining and have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector with effect from 1 January 1999.
The DME appointed 50 previously disadvantaged persons as Pupil Inspectors of Mines in Januarys 1996 who then followed a specially designed training programme over a period of three years. The purpose of this programme was to alleviate the chronic shortage of inspectors and at the same time to contribute to the department affirmative action initiatives. This unique programme covered topics that included modem concepts of safety management, mining, engineering, the environment, and surveying and occupational health.
A highly satisfactory success rate of 86% was achieved, putting paid to the normal anticipated fall our rate of approximately 30%. Two of the three female officers who started the programme completed it successfully. All the graduates have since been transferred to the DME regional offices to pursue a career in the inspector cadre.
The DME is satisfied that the objectives of the programme have been met and that it has yielded a good number of well-trained and competent officers who can make a valuable contribution to health and safety in the mining environment.
Over the past three years the pupils attended theoretical classes in various mining related subjects presented by lecturers from the Technikon Witwatersrand School of Mines. Their progress was monitored by means of class tests and projects. In order to gain hands-on experience of their theoretical knowledge, they were allocated to the regional offices of the DME where they followed structured practical training programmes. They also attended special training courses at different mine training centres which enabled them to gain enough underground shifts to qualify for their blasting certificate examinations. They have all passed the examinations and obtained their blasting certificates.
ENQUIRIES:
Ms Prudence Gololo
Deputy Director: Communication
Tel: (012) 317-9266
Fax: (012) 322-4954
E-mail: comgol@mepta.pwv.gov.za