TESTAMENT to Weir’s dedication to shaping the future of mining through knowledge, the company has invested in its new Process and Applications Academy, a training programme designed to give graduates technical insights into processing equipment. Held in April 2024, the inaugural training session attracted nearly 40 graduates.
As with several other sectors of the economy, the mining industry is undergoing a fundamental shift in which technological advancements are redefining the landscape.
Consequently, the need for consistent ongoing training and development has never been more critical. With that in mind, Weir’s newly established Process and Applications Academy provides graduates with fundamental technical knowledge of processing equipment.
The academy represents an extension of the company’s existing Mill Circuit University (MCU) training programme specifically designed for customer-facing personnel at Weir. Its primary objective is to equip these individuals with the requisite technical knowledge to deliver effective solutions to their customers. This initiative has been successfully extended to Weir’s customers in the East African region, with a particular focus on Tanzania, as well as to customers in West Africa.
In discussions with several Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) managers, the concept of the Process and Applications Academy was introduced. The academy aims to impart essential technical knowledge to recent university graduates, ensuring that they are well-prepared for their professional responsibilities.
The training programme is designed for graduate process engineers, mechanical engineers, metallurgists and chemical engineers from various EPCM or Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) organisations, as well as recent graduates from Weir. The academy also welcomed graduates in electrical and civil engineering, thereby remaining open to all graduates nominated by their respective line managers.
By integrating Weir graduates with those from EPC and EPCM companies, the academy fosters the development of professional relationships that will yield significant value for the future of the minerals sector. The participating graduates represent the future of their respective organisations, and the relationships established during the academy are anticipated to provide lasting benefits for years to come.
Essential concepts, selection criteria and troubleshooting techniques were emphasised, with a focus on comminution, slurry and dewatering pumps, wear-resistant products, valves and cyclone simulations.
Additionally, the course addressed the integration of artificial intelligence into these processes. Furthermore, attendees had the opportunity to network with Weir technical experts and toured the company manufacturing facility in Johannesburg, where they observed Weir’s assembly, manufacturing and warehousing capabilities.
The positive feedback obtained from various EPC and EPCM entities, as well as the responses from the graduates themselves, indicate a favourable assessment of the programme.
For more information: www.global.weir
