Impala Platinum

About Impala Platinum

Impala Platinum Holdings, better known as Implats, is one of the world's largest producers of platinum group metals. The company mines and processes platinum, palladium, rhodium, nickel and copper. It started in 1957 and now trades on both the JSE and the London Stock Exchange.

Implats employs roughly 63,000 people. Its operations sit on three of the most important platinum deposits on earth: the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, the Canadian Shield and the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. The flagship Rustenburg operation alone employs about 51,500 people and produces close to half of the group's output.

How Impala Platinum supports students

A mine of this size needs a steady stream of qualified people. Therefore, the Impala Platinum bursary exists to grow technical skills that the company cannot easily hire in the open market. Funding has traditionally focused on mining-related careers, including mining, metallurgical, chemical, mechanical and electrical (heavy current) engineering. It has also covered chemistry, geology, surveying, human resources, accounting and commerce, usually up to honours level.

In past published calls, the bursary has covered registration and tuition fees, residence fees and a cash allowance. Students in later years have also received a computer allowance. The award runs for one year at a time and can be renewed, as long as your results stay strong. The exact package and the list of fields change from one intake to the next, so confirm the current details on the Implats website.

Besides money, bursars gain real exposure to a working mining company. For example, they spend their vacations at Implats operations and see how plants, shafts and laboratories actually run. As a result, many graduates start work already familiar with the company's safety culture and systems.

What to know before applying

Implats has typically asked for a university exemption pass in matric, with a minimum C symbol in mathematics and science. Strong marks in those subjects matter most for engineering, metallurgy and geology. Check the minimum percentages in the latest advert, because requirements can shift.

The bursary also comes with a service obligation. Past calls state that successful candidates must work for the company for a period matching the years it funded them. Bursars must also do vacation work at the company at the end of each academic year. Read the contract carefully before you accept, since it is a legal commitment.

Deadlines and application routes vary by year, and they are not always open. Use only contact details from the official Implats site. Prepare certified copies of your ID, matric results and academic records, together with proof of university registration or acceptance, before you apply. A tidy, complete application helps your case.

If you dream of a career in platinum mining, this bursary offers both funding and a clear route to a first employer. Apply early, and keep your marks high.