A memorable experience for MJT trainees

A group of 2024 Mining Journalism Training attendees near Gugulethu Colliery’s processing plant

Mining Journalism Training (MJT) attendees observed silently as Gugulethu Mine Manager Corne Vlok counted down to zero before the electronic explosives detonated, creating an epic scene along the horizon. Gugulethu once again welcomed a group of professionals from different sectors as part of Menar’s MJT programme during October 2024.

MJT is a programme that offers mining literacy skills to professionals and students from different industries. This time around the mine tour was marked by a highlight moment with attendees getting to witness a live blast.

“The blast today was incredible. I have never experienced a blast before,” says Natalie Naidoo, a SHEQ Manager at Intertek Genalysis. Natalie said the training also helped her bridge important gaps within mining from the exploration phase to how the mineral exports system in South Africa functions. A researcher at the City of Joburg Khayelihle Mdakane attended MJT to get insight into what happens after a mine has reached its end of life. “I think the whole experience is packaged properly, even though it’s technical, the Q & A sessions give you an opportunity to engage with the content in a more relatable manner,” says Khayelihle.

The live blast was preceded by a safety induction and a presentation by Gugulethu General Manager and Canyon Coal COO Jarmi Steyn, who unpacked all the processes involved in developing a new mine from exploration, production and getting the product to market. Trainees also got to see the processing plant and the pit area. “It was exhilarating to interact with the trainees and to hear the questions they were asking. “We hope that from this visit, trainees take away a lot of learnings in terms of the intricacies of starting a mine,” says Jarmi