WITS CLIMBS LADDER IN WORLD MINING SCHOOL RANKINGS
• AFRICAN BUZZ
These facilities are both aimed at restoring the dignity of residents of Ward Four and the Driefontein and Schoeman Farms in the municipality.
Tman Mphokane, general manager at Goedehoop Colliery, said:“ Access to water and sanitation is fundamental to healthy and everyday living. Without this infrastructure, communities cannot function and families face enormous challenges. It is for this reason that we embarked on these projects that aim to improve the dignity, health and quality of life for residents of this community.”
These projects were handed over to the residents of the Driefontein Farm to help with the provision of a consistent water supply for surrounding households. Additional JoJo tanks were supplied at Schoeman Farm, with the municipality committing to ensure that the tanks are filled up going forward.
Together, these upgrades will go a long way in improving the well-being of residents, contributing towards the Sustainable Development Goal of the provision of Clean Water and Sanitation. It is reported that in the municipality, only 45.5 % of households use flush toilets, but almost the same number – 47.6 % – still rely on pit latrines. A further 2.4 % use bucket toilets and another 2.4 % still use open bush areas for sanitation. Only 48.1 % of households rely on water trucks as a main source of water, with a further 8.5 % relying on bought or delivered water.
The municipality welcomed the project and acknowledged its contribution to improved basic services.“ This investment is a meaningful step forward in restoring the dignity of residents, improving hygiene, and safeguarding groundwater sources in the area,” said Councillor
Mhlonishwa Masilela, Executive Mayor of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, said“ Access to clean water and dignified sanitation is fundamental to the health, safety and well-being of our residents. We value Goedehoop Colliery’ s partnership and contribution, which is sure to make a lasting and tangible difference to our communities.”
“ These facilities will strengthen essential services provision in host communities and reflect our support for socio-economic development in areas where we operate. This underscores our purpose to responsibly create value together for a shared future,’ said Mphokane.
WITS CLIMBS LADDER IN WORLD MINING SCHOOL RANKINGS
The head of the School of Mining Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr Paseka Leeuw, said the school’ s rising research output is fundamental to maintaining and improving its global ranking.
In its most recent Biennial Review, the school also reported that its growth in
Supplied by School of Mining Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand
Head of the School of Mining Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr Paseka Leeuw.
research output between 2023 and 2024 has gained it institutional recognition for its specialised research groups. The report highlighted that the school is placed 11th in the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds( QS) World University Rankings for Mineral and Mining Engineering, just one position shy of the Top 10 and the highest ranking ever achieved by a mining school in Africa.
“ World-class mining schools distinguish themselves through the relevance, impact and visibility of their research,” said Leeuw.
Leeuw said the school’ s academics are producing work that speaks directly to industry needs, including areas such as mineral resource governance, mine optimisation, digital mining and rock engineering. He highlighted that its strong academic programme and expanding cadre of doctoral-level staff, combined with its cutting-edge curriculum aligned to Mining 4.0 and 5.0 principles, also contributed to this standing.
Impact of research groups
One of the major developments during the review period has been the strengthening of the school’ s signature research clusters. While the Mineral Resources Governance Research Group( MRGRG) entered its fourth year of operation, the Mine Planning and Optimisation Research Group( MPORG) achieved official recognition by the University Research and Innovation Committee.
Source: supplied by Thungela Resources Limited
The company handed over a new borehole and JoJo tanks as part of the mine’ s Social and Labour Plan( SLP) commitments and ablution units to replace unsafe pit latrines as part of their Corporate Social Investment( CSI) projects.
“ These groups are designed to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and deepen engagement with mining companies, research institutions and regulators,” he said.“ Their research themes resonate strongly with the mining sector’ s priorities, from responsible resource governance and ESG compliance to digitaldriven productivity improvements.”
Partnerships with mining companies such as Sibanye-Stillwater and African Rainbow Minerals( ARM) reinforce the relevance of the school’ s research to real operational challenges in the sector, he said, highlighting how this collaborative model has fed the school’ s contribution to the mining sector.
6 • African Mining • March 2026 www. africanmining. co. za