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This month we are featuring articles submitted
by members of our Young Professionals Council (YPC). In future the YPC will have
a separate newsletter targeting members who are 35 years and younger.
If you older than 35 and would still like to receive it
please let Sam know by clicking here Sam@saimm.co.za
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| Tackling graduate unemployment head on!
YPC Graduate Skills Database The SAIMM is home to over 4000 technically qualified mining and metallurgical engineering professionals.
That is over 4000 of the best skills in the minerals industry.
Just over a quarter of these skills are young professionals.
We are excited to inform you that the Young Professionals Council (YPC) of the SAIMM has developed a web based service to connect potential employers with job seeking graduates.
Companies which are looking to acquire talent to fit their organization and graduates who are seeking employment may contact Sam Moolla by e-mail: Sam@saimm.co.za.
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| A dinner, a hungry mind!
Converting a tiresome duty into an interesting opportunity "Sometimes only a change of viewpoint is needed to convert
a tiresome duty into an interesting opportunity"
– Alberta Flanders As a lecturer in the School of Mining Engineering, I know from my daily interactions with students that there is a dire need for financial assistance for students ranging from tuition to day-to-day living. I encounter students that do not have accommodation and end up sleeping in lecture halls. Some students sleep during lectures due to hunger. Consequently, their academic performance is impeded. It is not ideal that students should worry about financial support for their education. In an ideal society, students will only have to worry about their academic work.
Various organisations have extended a helping hand where possible, and the sustained support of the SAIMM Scholarship Trust Fund has been a welcome constant. The Scholarship Trust Fund (STF) has over the past 12 years disbursed approximately R3 million to assist academically deserving yet financially needy students in the minerals industry. The Young Professionals Council (YPC) of the SAIMM has partnered with the Scholarship Trust Fund to increase awareness of the Fund and to intensify the STF's efforts to raise funds to assist needy students.
This year the YPC and STF have set a target to raise R500 000 for the STF. During the Annual SAIMM Banquet 2016, the YPC managed to collect donations amounting to R5000 for the STF through a fundraising raffle which added a fun yet worthy touch to the evening. The YPC appeals to all SAIMM members and partners to donate to the STF in order to reach the set target, and importantly, to continue assisting those needy and deserving students.
To donate click here: http://www.saimm.co.za/donate
Sihe Nhleko
About the author -
Sihe is a lecturer in the School of Mining Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. He also serves as the Treasurer of the Young Professionals Council. 
(Above) Winner of the raffle, Vusi Sibanda and (Right) the UCT 2015 Scholarship Fund Recipients
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| YOUNG PROFESSIONALS' COLLABORATION The YPC seeks to work in collaboration with other organizations so that common needs are met by empowering the young professionals, in the industry as well as at universities. We seek to increase participation of young people in tackling some of the challenges currently faced in the mining and minerals sector. A united youth movement to address common challenges will lead to greater contributions to the mining and minerals sector in Southern Africa. |
| The Metallurgical Engineering Student Organisation (MESO) 
(Above) MESO members at Prima foundry field trip (Left) and MESO members at Richards Bay Minerals excursion (Right) The Metallurgical Engineering Student Organisation (MESO) is a student organization at the University of Johannesburg. With the support of the Head of Department, MESO mainly deals with the social cohesion of students in the Metallurgy Department. The organization also assists with planning field trips for students and assists student with their academic needs where necessary. The organisation recognizes the moral obligation to uplift and motivate pupils from previously disadvantaged schools and the executive committee and interested members visit surrounding schools on an annual basis to host motivational talks.
Kutullo Mapotsane
About the author -
Kutullo is Member of the Executive Committee of the Metallurgical Engineering Student Organisation (MESO), at the University of Johannesburg (2015).
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| The School of Mining Engineering Society (SMES)
2016 Annual Gala Dinner SMES under the auspices of Wits School of Mining Engineering hosted an event on the 9th April 2016. The theme was "The Future of Mining: The supply and consumption of mining graduates". The event was well attended by students, lecturers and industry personnel.
Dr. T. Harwood (CEO, Montero Mining) and Mr. T. Mkhwanazi (CEO, Anglo American Coal) were the keynote speakers. They were also joined on stage by Adv. M. Xulu (President, SADC Youth in Mining) and Mr. T. Mmola (Chairman, YPC) as part of the panel discussion. The speakers gave an excellent picture of the current situation in the mining industry and emphasized that mining is cyclical. The audience was furnished with various tools to stand-out in this situation and was assured that the industry is heading for an upswing. Therefore, graduates needed to position themselves to be employable and stand out amongst the many.
The Wits-School of Mining Engineering is celebrating 120 years of existence during the annual Ted Edwards' sport day on the 7th May 2016, and it extends an invitation to all SAIMM members.
Kgabo Mokoena
About the author -
Kgabo is a third year mining engineering student in the School of Mining Engineering, Wits University. She also serves on the Education Working Group of the YPC.
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| UJ's Mining Forum Lends a Hand  The UJ Mining Forum is running a two-week long charity campaign. The Ethembeni Children's Home in Hillbrow has been chosen by the forum to benefit from the campaign. During the two weeks, boxes will be placed around campus and residences where people can donate any old children's clothes, non-perishable foods and goods needed by the home. Anyone who would like to be part of this 'Lend a Hand' campaign is welcome to contact Phindile Mkhwebane,at e-mail phindilemkhwebane@gmail.com for further information.
Takalani Sethu
About the author -
Takalani is a BTech student in the Department of Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying, University of Johannesburg. She also serves on the Education Working Group of the YPC.
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| Continuous Professional Development (CPD) ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) is responsible for regulating the practice of engineering in South Africa. Registered persons are required by their Code of Conduct to practise strictly within their area of competence and to maintain and enhance this competence. They therefore have the responsibility to keep abreast of developments and knowledge in their areas of expertise in order to maintain their competence. In addition to maintaining their own competence, they should strive to contribute to the advancement of the body of knowledge with which they practise, and to the profession in general.
List of activities to earn new knowledge and CPD points towards candidate or professional engineer registrations: - The 2nd School on Manganese Ferroalloy Production (2 ECSA CPD Points)
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will be hosting the 2nd Manganese Ferroalloy Production School, on 27–28 June 2016, at Mintek. The programme is aimed at delegates from the manganese ferro-alloy and supporting industries.
For more information please visit the-2nd-school-on-manganese-ferroalloy-production
or contact Raymond van der Berg, Raymond@saimm.co.za - SAIMM: Clean Steel Production School (2 ECSA CPD Points)
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will be hosting the Clean Steel Production School, on 25-26 July 2016, at Mintek. The programme is aimed at delegates from the iron, steel and supporting industries.
For more information please visit production-of-clean-steel
or contact Camielah Jardine, Camielah@saimm.co.za
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| The Young Professionals Council The Young Professionals Council of the SAIMM (YPC) is aimed at sustainably influencing and empowering young professionals to contribute to the profession.
The YPC has 18 individuals including the Office Bearers, i.e. Chairman, Vice Chairman, etc.
The vision of the YPC is to: - Empower, support, guide, educate and develop the career progress of young professionals involved in the mining and minerals sector;
- Benefit and attract youth to a sustainable industry; and
- Influence stakeholders for the benefit of industry, including government, the broader industry, and YPC members themselves.
The values that guide the decisions of the YPC in pursuit of this vision include ethics, honesty, respect, gratitude, care, accountability and integrity.
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| COMPETITION: NAME AND WIN! We are looking for an interesting name for the YPC newsletter.
Submit your proposed name for the newsletter and stand a chance to win R100.
Only one name and one entry per person.
Entries may be submitted to Sam@saimm.co.za |
| SAIMM –YPC Newsletter
Editor:
Wesley Banda Email: wesleyb@mintek.co.za
Co-Editor:
Tshepo Mmola
Contributing Authors:
Sihesenkosi (Sihe) Nhleko
Kutullo Mapotsane
Kgabo Mokoena
Takalani Sethu The SAIMM-YPC would like you to contribute to the success of a greater mining and metallurgy sector.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/saimm.johannesburg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SAIMM1
Website:www.saimm.co.za
For more information on how you can be part of this great young professionals' adventure
Contact: Sam Moolla: Tel: +27 (0) 11 834 1273 Email: Sam@saimm.co.za
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