News


Schneider Electric and Harmony accelerate skills development

November 2024 News


Schneider Electric has formed a strategic partnership with South Africa’s largest gold company by volume, Harmony Gold Mining to upgrade the instrumentation workshop into a state-of-the-art facility. This initiative underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing technological education and workforce development within the Mining and Minerals sector (MMS).

The upgraded instrumentation workshop forms part of the Harmony Moab Khotsong Engineering Training Centre situated in Orkney, North West Province. It aims to not only serve Harmony and its personnel, but also external clients where the mine has service level agreements (SLAs) to provide training. Examples are ASSMANG Mines (Khumani); Murray & Roberts Cementation; Impala Platinum Rustenburg; Impala Springs Refinery; CAPM Tau-Lekoa, Kopanang; and Gold Mining Company (Kop-Gold).

Schneider Electric, together with official partner Welkom Industrial Controls, will be responsible for the equipment provision, installation, commissioning, and ongoing support at the Harmony Moab Khotsong Engineering Training Centre, which is earmarked for completion by November this year.

“Partnering with our multiple stakeholders to uplift our mine communities has always been a key part of our strategic pillar of Responsible Stewardship. This training centre is a true demonstration of us being stronger together than we are apart, and that together, we can truly make a difference in the lives of young people in our country,” said Peter Steenkamp, Harmony Group CEO.

Overcoming the skills gap, accelerating learning

The Schneider Electric and Harmony Moab Khotsong Engineering Training Centre upgrade initiative aims to address key challenges, and highlights key priorities faced by the industry, which include change management, skill shortages, and depleting artisans and technician expertise.

This challenge is also faced globally, with a recent McKinsey study stating mining companies worldwide are experiencing a talent squeeze: 71% of mining leaders are finding the talent shortage is holding them back from delivering on production targets and strategic objectives.

The Harmony Moab Khotsong Engineering Training Centre will also serve as a platform for discussions on standardisation and governance across the mining value chain, promoting efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced safety. The training centre will include Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IoT open, interoperable architecture, which offers copper to cloud innovation and encompasses three distinct layers: Connected Products, Edge Control and Apps, and Analytics and Services.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Africa’s industrial future is still being written
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa marks 60 years on the continent, reflecting on the value of local capability, training and partnerships in driving the next phase of African industrial growth.

Read more...
How modern EAM is becoming the driver of productivity, resilience and sustainability in mines
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Modern enterprise asset management is turning maintenance from a routine function into a strategic priority, helping mines extend the life of ageing infrastructure while improving productivity and safety.

Read more...
Schneider Electric launches cost-effective, high-performance LV protection
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its EasyPact NW air circuit breaker in South Africa, extending its Easy series portfolio with a cost-effective solution for non-critical low-voltage applications in commercial, industrial and residential projects.

Read more...
Women belong at the heart of mining engineering
News
Dr Adwoa Boaduo, group head of safety at Rosond, sees an opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions about women in mining and engineering.

Read more...
WearCheck demonstrates advanced condition monitoring at Electra Mining
Wearcheck News
Condition monitoring specialist WearCheck will demonstrate its used-oil analysis, fuel analysis, transformer chemistry and asset reliability services at Electra Mining Africa as the company marks 50 years of predictive maintenance expertise.

Read more...
Endress+Hauser to showcase measurement and automation solutions at Electra Mining
Endress+Hauser South Africa News
Endress+Hauser will demonstrate process automation, measurement technology and digital transformation solutions at Electra Mining Africa 2026, with interactive displays and expert guidance for mining, minerals, water and wastewater industries.

Read more...
SF6-free switchgear brings digital intelligence to mining
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Combining pure-air switchgear with embedded digital intelligence helps mines cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve safety and meet sustainability targets while enabling real-time visibility into critical electrical assets.

Read more...
ACTOM invests in South Africa’s industrial future
ACTOM Electrical Machines News
ACTOM has transformed its Pretoria West facility into an integrated manufacturing hub for large power transformers, high-voltage equipment and lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, quadrupling transformer capacity and establishing a complete local energy storage ecosystem.

Read more...
WEG’s technologies at Electra Mining Africa 2026
WEG Africa News
At Electra Mining Africa 2026, WEG Africa will showcase its top solutions services, and expertise built for the mining sector.

Read more...
SA’s future engineers in action
News
AvenirHoldings sponsors the 2026 SAICE Aqualibrium Schools Competition, supporting young engineering talent across South Africa and Eswatini.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved