YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MONTH 2024

BACKGROUND

The objectives of the SAIMM in the mining and mineral industry is to allow professionals to convene, engage, inform and educate. This coming October is the Young Professionals Month, which will put a spotlight on the impact young professionals making in the mining and minerals industry. The activities in October will allow young professionals to convene and engage with other young professionals including industry professionals, and subject matter experts. Students and young professionals will inform and educate their peers on new research and developments in the industry.
The 2024 theme for the young professional’s month is Promoting the retention and prosperity of young professionals in the mining and minerals industry.

THE EVENTS FOR THE MONTH:

Student Debate: 10th of October, DRA head offices
Topic: What needs to be done to address employment opportunities and retention of young professionals in the mining and minerals industry?
Debate Topics: Youth participation in the mining sector, Entrepreneurship, Policy Changes & Local Beneficiation of Minerals, Mentorship & Postgraduate training, Increase in Investment funding into the mining sector.

Career & Leadership Conference: 12th of October, Mintek
Topic: How to navigate the corporate jungle, from seeking employment, growing your career trajectory, becoming an entrepreneur in the mining and minerals industry, and how to overcome the unspoken challenges.
The career and leadership conference invites professionals in the mining industry to presentation and panel discussions on the given topic and allow attendees to pose question and tackle issues faced in the industry. The objective is to prepare students for the corporate environment and allow those already in corporate to bridge the gap and have a platform to receive career guidance from the industry leaders and peers.

Student Colloquium: 29th of October, Mintek
Topic: Innovation as a catalyst for process development and job creation.
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has been organizing and presenting the annual Student Colloquium since 2002, to afford the best final-year mining and metallurgical students an opportunity to present their final year projects to an audience of mining and metallurgical industry experts.

Students are given an opportunity and platform to showcase their best research and innovation that contributes to advancing the mining and minerals industry to greater heights.