Mining remains one of the most reliable sources of bursary funding in South Africa, for a simple reason: mines operate on a "social and labour plan" that legally obligates them to invest in the skills and communities around their operations, and bursaries are one of the main ways they do it. This guide brings together every verified mining-sector bursary and learnership currently tracked on this site for the 2027/2028 intake.
Mining Still Runs on Bursaries
A mining bursary can lead into a wide range of technical careers beyond the underground miner most people picture: mining engineers plan and manage extraction; metallurgists and process engineers turn ore into saleable product; geologists locate and evaluate ore bodies; mine surveyors map underground workings; rock engineers manage ground stability and safety; and environmental and VOHE (ventilation and occupational hygiene) specialists keep operations compliant and safe. On the trades side, mines need a constant supply of qualified electricians, fitters, riggers, and boilermakers to keep heavy equipment running, which is why several of the options below are artisan learnerships and apprenticeships rather than degree bursaries. Nearly every mining bursary comes with a post-graduation work-back obligation, which - given how technical and well-paid mining careers can be - is usually a good trade, not a downside.
Before You Start Applying
Read the residency requirements closely: most mining bursaries below explicitly prioritise, or restrict entirely, applicants from the specific "host" or "fenceline" communities surrounding that company's mine, as part of its social and labour plan commitments - a strong Matric result alone won't help if you're not from the right area. A valid medical fitness certificate and clean security/criminal record check are standard requirements across almost every mining bursary and learnership, since mine sites are high-security, safety-regulated environments - sort these out early rather than at the last minute.
Diversified and Major Mining Houses
South Africa's largest mining groups, funding a broad range of technical fields across multiple commodities.
Glencore Bursary - For Grade 12 learners or registered university students with strong academics (70%+ in English), not already funded elsewhere. Covers registration, tuition, textbooks, meals, accommodation, and computer assistance.
Anglo American Bursary - Runs both a mining-career-focused stream (engineering, metallurgy, geology) and a broader community-upliftment scholarship stream open to almost any field. Covers tuition and study costs, with mentorship and operational exposure for relevant fields.
Exxaro Bursary (Students Living with a Disability) - For citizens aged 18-28 with a declared disability, enrolled in a 3-year+ diploma or degree, generally resident in Exxaro's Limpopo or Mpumalanga host communities. Broader Exxaro bursaries reportedly cover tuition, accommodation, a laptop, data, materials, travel, and meals.
African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Bursary - For citizens with a strong record, not already funded elsewhere, in a scarce-skills field at undergraduate (and at some universities, Honours) level. Covers registration, tuition, textbooks, a laptop, residence accommodation, and meals.
Gold Fields Ltd Bursary - Spans Mining, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering, plus Environmental Management, Finance, Mine Surveying, Rock Engineering, and Geology at Honours level. Requires at least Level 6 in Maths and Physical Science. Selection runs through Gold Fields' Business & Leadership Academy.
Sasol Mining Bursary - For residents of Sasol Mining's host (fence-line) communities studying Electrical, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical, or Mining Engineering. Covers tuition and core study costs, with a route into Sasol's Graduate Development Programme. Closes 13 September 2026.
Platinum Group Metals Bursaries
From companies mining platinum, palladium, and related metals - a sector concentrated in Limpopo and the North West.
Northam Booysendal Platinum Bursary - For Matric/tertiary students with 60%+ in Maths and Physical Science, preference to Mashishing, Roossenekal, and Steelpoort residents. Covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and living expenses, with a matching work-back period. Closes 7 July 2026.
Impala Platinum (Implats) Bursary - For citizens with 60%+ in Matric/final year overall and in English, Science, and Maths specifically; actively encourages applicants with disabilities. Core study costs covered, with a matching work-back period. Closes 30 September 2026.
Royal Bafokeng Platinum Bursary - For students in core mining disciplines with 60%+ in Maths, Physical Science, and English, historically preferring Royal Bafokeng Nation and Rustenburg-area applicants. Note: following RBPlat's 2023 change in ownership, confirm current terms directly with Implats.
Southern Sphere Platinum Bursary - For Sekhukhune District residents entering 2nd year with a 60%+ first-year average. Up to R200,000 toward tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and meals.
Tharisa Bursary - For citizens with 60%+ in Maths and Physical Science, preference to communities around Tharisa's Marikana operations. Full tuition, residence accommodation, textbooks, and a monthly living allowance.
Two Rivers Platinum Bursary - For citizens who've completed Matric, preference to designated groups per the mine's employment equity goals. Reported to cover tuition, accommodation, and textbooks.
Marula Platinum Bursary - For students from communities near the Marula mine in Limpopo, in high-demand technical fields. Covers registration, tuition, accommodation, meals, a cash allowance, mentorship, and a computer from 2nd year.
Ivanplats Bursary - For historically disadvantaged South Africans from communities around the Platreef project near Mokopane. Covers tuition, registration, accommodation, and books, for up to four years.
Gold, Coal, and Diamond Bursaries
From gold and coal mining operations, plus one diamond-linked apprenticeship further below.
Barberton Mines Bursary - For citizens with 60%+ in their previous year of study, in Mining, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or Geology. Requires medical fitness and security clearance within 21 days of accepting. Includes vacation work at the Barberton complex. Closes 31 August 2026.
Evander Gold Mining Bursary - For citizens studying Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Geology, with academic excellence and financial need. Full tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks, a monthly stipend, and vacation work.
Mbuyelo Coal Bursary - For citizens studying electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, or mining engineering, geology, or mine survey, with preference to communities near its Mpumalanga operations. Renewable annually based on academic performance.
Iron Ore, Manganese, and Industrial Minerals
From companies mining iron ore, manganese, chrome, and other industrial minerals.
Trans Hex Bursary - For citizens with financial need, preference to residents of Doringbaai, Ebenhaeser, Lutzville, Lamberts Bay, Vredendal, and surrounding areas. Covers tuition, accommodation, a meal allowance, and travel.
Tronox Bursary - For students in engineering, environmental science, geology, IT, mine survey, or extraction metallurgy; specifically encourages female and disabled applicants. Supports undergraduate study.
Samancor Chrome Bursary - For Grade 12 learners or 1st-3rd year students in supported fields (postgraduate not funded). Covers tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and meals.
Tshipi é Ntle Manganese Mining Bursary - For students from the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality or dependants of Tshipi e Ntle employees. Covers full tuition, accommodation, a laptop, and textbooks.
Idwala Industries Holdings Limited Bursary - Restricted to students living in or within roughly 200km of Danielskuil, Northern Cape, in technical/engineering fields relevant to mining and industrial minerals. Covers tuition and a book allowance; meals and accommodation subject to fund availability.
Assmang Manganese BRMO Bursary - For Grade 12 learners or current students with a strong Maths/Science background heading into mining-related engineering or geosciences. Covers tuition, accommodation, a laptop, and textbooks.
Imerys Refractory Bursary - Aimed at Imerys employees, their dependants, and residents near its Limpopo operations (Thabazimbi, Skierlik, Smashblock, Northam). Financial assistance toward tertiary studies - confirm exact coverage directly with the company.
Junior and Regional Miners
Smaller or more regionally-focused mining companies, often with narrower geographic eligibility.
West Wits Mining Bursary - For strong Matric results (Maths and Physical Science), preference to wards around West Wits's Witwatersrand Basin Project. Described as full coverage, though exact amounts aren't published.
Mwelase Group of Companies Bursary - For first-year and continuing students, preference to Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete municipality residents in Mpumalanga. Covers tuition, textbooks, meals, accommodation, and compulsory academic excursions.
Minopex Bursary - For students already in 3rd or 4th year of an engineering degree with strong results. Specific financial coverage isn't independently confirmed - check directly with Minopex.
Seriti Bursary - For 2nd-4th year (or Honours for Geology/Environmental) students in Engineering, Environmental studies, Geology, Mine Surveying, or VOHE. Covers tuition, a book allowance, accommodation, meals, pocket money, and a laptop allowance.
Government, Industry Body, and Artisan Trades
From the sector's government-linked research body and two artisan-training programmes.
Council for Geoscience Bursary - For full-time students in a qualifying geoscience field, preference to previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Covers tuition, accommodation, transport, meals, textbooks, fieldwork costs, and a laptop.
Seriti Learnership - Trains Electrician, Fitter, Instrumentation Mechanician, and Rigger trades. Requires Grade 12 with 40%+ in Maths and Physical Science (or equivalent N2), a valid K53 licence, and a clear criminal record.
Ekapa Apprenticeship - A three-year apprenticeship across Auto Electrician, Boilermaker, Mechanician, Diesel Mechanic, Earth Moving Mechanic, Electrical, Fitter and Turner, and Rigger Ropesman trades at a diamond mining operation. Requires an N2 certificate.
Didn't find the right fit? Browse the full bursaries and scholarships listing for every field, or read our guide on writing a CV for a bursary application before you start sending yours out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do so many mining bursaries only accept applicants from specific communities?
Mining companies operate under legally-required social and labour plans that commit them to developing the communities directly affected by their operations - so bursary funding is deliberately channelled to "host" or "fenceline" communities rather than offered nationally. Check the location requirement carefully before applying.
Do I need to already want an underground mining job to apply for these?
No - most of these fund technical support roles like metallurgy, geology, mine surveying, rock engineering, and environmental management, which are office- and surface-based rather than underground. Only some roles within mining engineering itself involve regular time underground.
Why do mining bursaries ask for a medical fitness certificate and security clearance?
Mine sites are highly regulated, safety-critical environments, so companies need to confirm you're medically fit for site conditions and have a clean record before granting site access - this applies even to bursary students doing vacation work, not just full employees.
What's the difference between a mining bursary and a mining learnership like Seriti's or Ekapa's?
A bursary funds a university or university-of-technology degree in a technical field like engineering or geology. A learnership or apprenticeship (like the Seriti or Ekapa programmes above) trains you directly in a specific artisan trade - electrician, fitter, boilermaker - combining workplace experience with theory, usually without a university degree at all.