The launch of the Exxaro Chair in Extended Reality (XR) Technology took place on the 1^st September 2021.

Exxaro Resources has entered into a partnership with the Department of Information Science and the Department of Mining Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT) at the University of Pretoria (UP) to establish the Exxaro Chair in Extended Reality (XR) Technology.

Extended reality technology refers to all real-and-virtual-combined environments as well as human-machine interactions generated by computer technology, including augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality (VR). Through this partnership, the Exxaro Chair will offer a framework of how XR technology can be used to address challenges in the mining industry and which identifies the best available technologies for solutions. This investment in technological advancement will allow for constant research towards a safer, economical and more environmentally sensitive form of mining.

During the Launch During the launch Prof Ina Fourie, head of the department (HoD) of Information Science said:

"My vision for the Exxaro Chair can be captured as follows:

Using external funding to meet the development needs of the funder, but above all to secure an international scholarly reputation for development, research, theory and curriculum development, interdisciplinary collaboration and exemplary dissemination of research and products.

The Exxaro Chair in XR technology should enable the funder and the receivers of funds to be recognised as leaders in addressing social inclusion, equity and diversity."

Launch of the Exxaro Chair

Photograph gallery of the Launch

Exxaro Chair at the Department of Information Science

Prof Fourie, Prof Maharaj, Prof Webber-Youngman, Mr Mgojo and Prof Kupe (seated)