Due to the lack of mining expertise in the Victor Khanye local municipality, where its Kangala coal mine is situated, Universal took matters into its own hands.

The company embarked on a mission to train 100 local residents from Victor Khanye and equip them with heavy mining machinery operator skills over a one-year period.

The training programme began in October 2014 and is scheduled to be completed in October 2015, with the qualification of the 100 with Mining Qualification Authority certificates for either articulated dump trucks or excavators.

Kangala colliery also recently established a fifth production team and appointed the first eight dump truck operators that passed its Community Skills Training Centre program.

“This opportunity will provide them with valuable experience needed to grow their working future,” Universal said.