Passionate about youth development and giving back to the community, Epiroc, for a second consecutive year, sponsored 100 jackets to final 4th year University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) School of Mining Engineering students. 

The aim of the annual Wits mine tour is to give final year students the opportunity to view practical demonstrations and to learn more about the numerous mining methods which are practiced countrywide. As one of the requirements to graduate, the tour is also central to two courses namely Mine Design Project and Rock Engineering.

“We are extremely proud that thanks once again to the support of three of our generous divisions (ADS, URE and SED), we were able to sponsor the Epiroc-branded jackets to the Wits students to wear on their various mine tours,” states Kathryn Coetzer, Regional Communications and Academy Manager at Epiroc.

According to Kamogelo Manyelo, one of the fourth year students and a member of the Mine Tour Committee who organised the tour, “Epiroc is a large company that holds a prestigious title for itself. The Epiroc partnership has contributed significantly towards making this year’s fourth year mine tour a pleasant experience for all the students.

It was an honour and a privilege to have worn regalia sponsored by Epiroc and students could walk across mines in South Africa with pride and confidence.” She added that the jackets also symbolise an academic accomplishment for all the hard work and effort the students have invested in their academics to reach their final year, and therefore qualify to take part in the mine tour.

There has been overwhelming appreciative feedback from many of the students who were extremely excited to have received the new jackets.

Fellow fourth year Wits student Atang Seboka commented that the jackets were warm and comfortable and that it was really a great blessing to have received them especially in winter. “They will keep us warm throughout this winter and even when we are working in the mines next year.” Praising the jacket’s warmth and good design, Kgothatso Msibi thanked Epiroc for the sponsorship commenting that “It is one of my favourite jackets.”

Coetzer affirms that it is truly heart-warming to know that Epiroc is able to make a positive impact in the lives of students. “As a thought-leader in the mining space, Epiroc is committed to nurturing students, especially those who will be entering the mining industry, which is why we offer several successful internships and learnerships.”

Aligning to the goal of setting the benchmark with top-class employees, the company is always on the look for new talent and partners with institutions such as Wits to gain access to exceptional and hardworking individuals who have the potential to become part of the Epiroc fold.

Wrapping up, Manyelo says, “These students are about to enter the mining industry, the future of which we are most anxious about. It's always appreciated to know that we have companies like Epiroc that look out for us as students. It is really the details that are vital, little things really make big things happen and such sponsorships encourage students to work hard to earn them. We will forever be indebted and remember Epiroc even in our professional careers.

We will certainly carry your generosity forward and assist those who come after us with such sponsorships in future. On behalf of myself, the fourth year Wits Mining Engineering students as well as our lecturers, thank you once again for your generous sponsorship.”