Skorpion Zinc invests in Future

Winning the war for talent by re-skilling the workforce, sourcing new talent, developing change agents and creating a human capital strategy is a key focus area for Skorpion Zinc mine, an integrated world-class mining and refinery operation located near the southern town of Rosh Pinah.
Open cast mining and hydrometallurgical techniques are used to mine and refine zinc oxide to produce Special High Grade Zinc. To do this Skorpion Zinc combines state-of-the-art technologies with the skills of a highly motivated workforce. As part of its development programme, the company has launched key internal and external development programmes preparing individuals at various levels for future technical and leadership positions.
This year, Skorpion Zinc has awarded five new full scholarships for 2010 in the disciplines of Geology; Mining, Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; Metallurgy and Mine Surveying. It has also bonded three final year students. Since the mine started with its bursary scheme, it has sponsored 23 fulltime Namibian bursary students who took up technical courses at internationally accredited universities, of which five students have now completed their studies. During 2010 Skorpion Zinc will sponsor 26 students at university at a cost of more than N$2million for its bursary programme, while more than 13 qualified graduates on trainee programmes have been accommodated in the system.
Two of these bursaries are awarded to residents from the Karas Region after great attempts to get pupils from the region. Three of the bursars are from the Khomas Region, one from Ohangwena while the other two are from Omusati Region.
The bursary scheme covers all costs of tuition, accommodation, text books, pocket money, travel allowances, meals, medical aid, study permits and a computer as from second year. This means a total of 26 students will be sponsored in 2010.

The total cost for the bursary programme amounted to N$2 million dollars last year. Of last year’s group, five students were in their final year. SZ provides paid vacation work and covers related transport costs, meals and accommodation during this time which is an estimated N$600 000.

Students receive challenging projects to complete and presents to EXCO before returning to South Africa in January 2010.