NWU’s School of Mining update for Rustenburg
Rustenburg – In last week’s edition of Platinum Weekly, we reported on North-West University’s (NWU) announcement that a School of Mining and Engineering is planned for Rustenburg. Following that story, NWU has now provided a roadmap update, outlining timelines, community benefits, and the university’s broader vision for this landmark project.
A four-fold commitment
NWU confirmed that the School of Mining project is anchored on four strategic priorities:
- Serving the community and province through relevant, high-impact engagement.
- Strengthening NWU’s Faculties of Engineering, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences in areas where they already excel – such as minerals beneficiation, environmental and geospatial sciences, and professional engineering programmes.
- Addressing South Africa’s urgent need for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills.
- Expanding international collaboration, with partnerships already underway in Arizona, Chile, Peru, Sweden, Austria, and Australia.
Step by step: the timeline
- 2025: The first students registered for online Postgraduate Diploma Programmes in Sustainability and Mining.
- 2026: A dedicated NWU office will open in Rustenburg to coordinate research and continuing education.
- 2027: An undergraduate BSc specialization in Sustainable Mining will be introduced.
- 2029: An expanded facility in Rustenburg will launch, offering block classes and hands-on training in engineering, science, and business.
- 2032 and beyond: A full satellite campus in Rustenburg will be established, where professional engineering programmes, including mining engineering, will be presented.
What it means for Rustenburg
This step-by-step development promises more than academic growth. It will bring skills training, job opportunities, infrastructure development, and closer collaboration between the university, industry, and the Rustenburg community.
