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Penn State Mining Engineering Spring break Study Abroad tour
During their Spring Break Study Abroad trip to South Africa, Barbara Arnold accompanied eight Pennsylvania State University Mining Engineering students on an intensive tour of mining operations, processing facilities, and industry partners across the country.
The group experienced a packed schedule, visiting several companies and mine sites to gain first-hand insight into mineral processing and mining operations.
The Multotec Group of Companies hosted the Study Abroad group. They spent an afternoon and spent time with members of the Multotec Team: Wilna Hoffmann. Christina Ramotsabi, Willem Slabbert, Ernst Bekker and Dawie van Eeden, the students, were introduced to a wide range of mineral processing technologies, including flotation, spirals, laboratory analysis, physical separation processes, samplers, screen panels, and cyclones.
One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Mafube Coal Mine, where students spent a full day observing mining operations in action. Despite rainy conditions and a bit of mud, the group toured both the open pit and the processing plant, gaining valuable practical exposure.
A big thank you goes to the site team and Frikkie Enslin for assisting with PPE and raincoats to keep the group prepared for the conditions.
Continuing their journey, the group also visited Sibanye-Stillwater’s platinum and chromite concentrator with Sithembiso Mayisela, adding another valuable industry experience to an already packed and memorable study tour.