Staff Reporter
Gwanda State University (GSU), in collaboration with the Young Miners Foundation (YMF), is taking significant strides to establish a model gold mine. This initiative aims to provide students from various institutions with hands-on experience in the gold mining industry and work-related programs. The two organizations have formalized this collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paving the way for innovative developmental programs in mining.
According to GSU Information, Marketing, and Public Relations Director, Moreblessing Ndhlovu-Nkomo, the University will provide strategic and policy guidance, research expertise, teaching, and laboratory facilities. Additionally, GSU will offer short courses and degrees in exploration, mining, and mineral beneficiation, while also identifying and seconding students, technologists, and engineers to work with YMF.
“Under the Education 5.0 framework, institutions of higher learning are expected to champion teaching, research, community services, innovation, and industrialization. This marks a significant shift from Education 3.0, which focused only on teaching, research, and community services. GSU's role in this partnership will be multi-faceted.
“Situated in the mineral-rich province of Matabeleland South, GSU's Epoch Mine Campus positions the university as a prime mining destination. The campus sits on the formerly BNC Mining Company reserves, enhancing its strategic importance,” she said.
GSU Department of Mining Engineering Chairperson, Desire Jaibes, emphasized that the university's commitment to conducting educational workshops and public lectures was aimed at equipping the surrounding communities with sustainable mining practices.
“Education 5.0 is anchored on five pillars which are teaching, research, community engagement, innovation and industrialization. GSU is a teaching and research powerhouse, and partnering with YMF allows us to further leverage these pillars,” said Jaibes.
YMF CEO Mr. Payne Kupfuwa highlighted the importance of this collaboration in forming synergies between young mining entrepreneurs and academia.
“The MoU aims at educating students on the importance of formalizing and professionalizing the small-scale mining sector. This should be approached as a business, not as a poverty driven initiative or a get-rich-quick scheme,” he explained.
Kupfuwa emphasized that this approach would empower students to establish and operate small-scale mining projects professionally and formally, ensuring their growth from small to medium and eventually large enterprises.
“The establishment of a model gold mine will provide students with in-depth knowledge on running a formalized and professional small-scale mining enterprise. Together with GSU, we will develop innovative, effective, and efficient ways to ensure that small-scale mining becomes more profitable and productive, optimizing the exploitation of various minerals,” Kupfuwa added.
YMF has already created several small companies run by its members, including Bulawayo-based Gweja Enterprises, which will administer some of the projects under the partnership with GSU.
This collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the mining sector's professionalism and sustainability, providing valuable opportunities for students and young entrepreneurs alike.
