25 Jun 2015

Amazing Training Africa, an institute specialising in the training and certification of operators of heavy lifting and earth moving machinery, will soon open doors to a first batch of students in Letlhakane.

The centre, operated by individuals with extensive experience in the mining industry, would offer short term training courses to individuals interested in acquiring professional technical skills in the mining industry. 

According to Ms Bana Mlore, head trainer at the academy, the school will add value to the mining sector beneficiation process through skills training.  “We aim to offer training to help address the problem of unemployment and assist with capacity building that will enhance skills for those interested,” said Ms Mlore.

The school, she said would train students from Boteti region and across Botswana, with plans to enroll foreign students who have a keen interest in operating gigantic machines used in Botswana’s mining industry. 

The training center will offer short courses such as fire- fighting, blasting and drilling, basic first-aid training, forklift training, dump truck operation, bulldozer, boiler making, grader, excavator, mobile cranes and welding and excavator training courses. It also offers project management workshops as well as defensive driving lessons. 

Ms Mlore said that all their courses, trainers and consultants are Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) registered and Madirelo Testing and Training Centre compliant.

“Our skills workshops are conducted by highly qualified and mine-experienced instructors, who have worked in major mines in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. We are here to help those with the desire to learn how to operate these huge machines,” she added.

She stated that the training they offer would enable one to be self-employed or work not only in the mining and resource industry but in the construction industry as well. 

For his part, the managing director of the centre, Mr Dumisani Mathonsi noted that they intend stimulating real work situations during training.”

“Our training courses include, theory, training on the equipment, watching real life videos and practical tests,” he said. 

Mr Mathonsi said while they do not guarantee any jobs, they would use their rich experience in the mining sector to assist trainees to find employment after certification. 

The centre is located in the Boteti in the central district which boasts of four diamond mines, being Orapa, Letlhakane, Damtshaa (OLDM) and Karowe Boteti mines. 

The Orapa diamond mine is the world’s biggest diamond mine, which was discovered in 1969. The diamond mine began its operations in July 1971, and only stops shortly from operating, when the plant goes for routine service and maintenance. 

The mine has its own independent water and power supplies to ensure uninterrupted around-the-clock operations. ENDS