Johannesburg - The launch of the Wits Mining Research
Institution (WMRI) is an historic day for the development of skills within the
mining industry, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said on Thursday.
Speaking at the launch of the WMIR at the University in
Johannesburg, Shabangu said the institution would bring meaningful
transformation and sustainable development in the industry.
"This initiative by Wits and others like it will be the
difference between lip service and meaningful transformation and sustainable
development."
Shabangu said a vibrant and dynamic research and development
sector and a culture of innovation and skills development were the centre of
achieving the vision of transformation. Interim Director at WMIR, Professor
Nielen van der Merwe, said the institute aimed to advance the sustainability of
the mining sector as well as affected societies by conducting research in key
areas including methods of mining, exploration and health and safety.
"It will expand mining research from geology and
technical studies to include the social impact of mining, community
participation and labour issues," said Van der Merwe.
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