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 Process and Applications 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 our 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, adds Malunga, 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 Process and Applications Academy 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 inaugural 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 graduates participating in this programme represent the future of their respective organisations, and the relationships established during the academy are anticipated to provide lasting benefits for years to come.
At the inaugural training session, the academy emphasised essential concepts, selection criteria and troubleshooting techniques, with a particular 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 Alrode, Johannesburg, where they observed Weir’s assembly, manufacturing and warehousing capabilities.
Rather than concentrating on Weir products exclusively, the academy takes a ‘brand-agnostic’ approach, emphasising the fundamental principles of mineral processing, along with the criteria for equipment selection and sizing. From comminution to mill lining, slurry handling to wear-resistant products, and more, attendees took a deep dive into product fundamentals, selection criteria, troubleshooting and basic engineering solutions.
The Process and Applications Academy has received favourable feedback from both the graduates and their respective line managers. Following the session, graduates successfully presented the knowledge and skills acquired during the academy to their line managers. Impressed by the academy, line managers have enquired about the possibility of rolling out the programme on an annual basis.
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. Forthcoming evaluations from the respective feedback managers will further corroborate the programme’s success. Additionally, the comments shared on LinkedIn by participants underscore the academy’s achievements and its positive reception across all participating companies.
