University of Johannesburg (UJ) Mining Forum students, who study at the Department of Mining Engineering, joined hands with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), and various stakeholders for their annual Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Day on Friday, 20 May 2016 at Doornfontein Campus.

More than 100 students attended the event, of whom approximately 40 percent were female students.

“This annual major event on the calendar of the Mining Forum was to reflect back on the health and safety of the mining industry,” says Mr Tshepo Tsotestsi, Chairperson of Mining Forum.

The Mining Safety Day started with a series of two presentations. One of these was a review by Mr Ntabiso Ndiweni, UJ Senior Lecturer: Mining Legislation, about the increasing commitment to safety in the mining industry, focusing on Job Safety Analysis.

“We’re all committed to making mining safe,” he said. “We should know that safety is important and it starts with an individual.”

Other Mining Day speakers included Mr Eric Zwane, General Manager, Sasol Colliery; Ms Priscilla Nelwemondo, UJ Lecturer Mining; Mr Peter Knottenbelt (UJ Lecturer, Mining), Mr Mpho Lithlakanyane, Senior Inspector, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

Also speaking at the Safety Day, Mr Eric Zwane commented: “This day gives students a great opportunity to network with senior people in the mining sector and learn from their first-hand experiences”.

The main aim of the event was to advance the achievement of Zero Harm in the South African mining industry by bringing together management, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and health and safety practitioners at all levels of industry to share best practice and share strategies for achieving this goal.

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From left to right: Ms Priscilla Nelwemondo (UJ Lecturer, Mining), Mr Eric Zwane (General Manager, Sasol Colliery), Dr Hennie Grobler ( UJ’s Head of Mining Department: Department of Mining & mine Surveying ) ; Mr Ntabiso Ndiweni (UJ Lecturer, Mining), Mr Peter Knottenbelt (UJ Senior Lecturer, Mining) and Mr Mpho Lethlakanyane (Senior Inspector, Department of Mineral Resources (DMR)).​

Back Row: Mathidiso Ramabele (First year Mining student) and Ms Philisiwe Nkonyane (Btech Mining Survey student).
From Left to Right: Ms Mammutle Uoane (Btech Mining student) , Ms Tsholofelo Molefe (First year Mining student ), Ms Keabetswe Molefe ( First year Mining student), Ms Mpho Nyakane ( First year Mining student) and Ms Sanelisiwe Mogapi (First year Mining student).