In support of the 60th anniversary of the University of Pretoria’s Department of Mining Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa (AMMSA) held its annual Council meeting at the facilities of the Department on 23 April 2021.

Among AMMSA’s objects are to promote and uphold the advancement of the mining industry, to uphold the status of the mining profession and to protect its members’ interests. Established in 1892, it is one of the country’s leading industry associations within its mining fraternity. Over the past 20 years, six of the Department’s alumni have served as President of the Association.

During its meeting, the Council welcomed Francois Janse van Rensburg as AMMSA’s President for 2021. After graduating from the University of Pretoria in 1997, Francois joined Harmony Gold as Mining Manager at the Tshepong Mine. He worked his way up the ranks at various operations at Harmony Gold until 2011, after which he joined AngloGold Ashanti as Vice-President: Technology, working with the AngloGold Technology Innovation Consortium Team. His team was responsible for the first successful “on-reef” reef boring test since 1984 in the Tau Tona shaft pillar. After returning to Harmony Gold, he was appointed Regional General Manager in 2017, responsible for overseeing several of Harmony’s operations, including Bambanani, Unisel, Masimong, Joel and Target, and later Tshepong as well.

He has served as a Council member of AMMSA since 2013. In 2018, he was elected as Second Vice-President, and served as Vice-President in 2019 and 2020.

Prof Ronny Webber-Youngman, Head of the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Pretoria, is proud of the achievements of this alumnus of the Department in supporting both industry and promoting the reputation of his Alma Mater.

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