Apart from continuous interaction with the voluntary societies and professional associations, we also pride ourselves in our relationship with industry in general. Consultants and professionals frequently given guest lectures and colloquia, either online or in person, to highlight the vocational experience to our students. Regular collaborations with mining and exploration companies with site visits and research opportunities for our students have been established with the Cullinan mine (Petra diamonds), Dorstfontein mine (Katlego Coal), Impala Bafokeng, and Exxaro.

A collaborative agreement between the Department of Geology and Impala Bafokeng Platinum (western Bushveld) allows some of our honours students to benefit from tools for practical activities and to actively interact with Bafokeng’s exploration geologists and mine management employees through meetings and discussions. Such collaboration represents an ideal training ground on the understanding of the mining industry and the requirements of the job market. The agreement includes a four day field trip to the mine, where the students can follow the main operations visiting a drilling rig, the concentration plant and being involved in an exciting underground tour.

A final activity, called ‘The Challenge’, is organized as a corollary of the field trip, where the students are asked to work as teams on a business case to be presented in front of a panel of investors/mine managers/legal experts, sourced from Bafokeng and other private companies. The aim is to provide the students with a broader understanding of the context in which geologists can operate in a business environment, challenging their thinking on applicable decision making through a specific business case.