Ivanplats

About Ivanplats

Ivanplats (Pty) Ltd is the South African company behind the Platreef project near Mokopane in Limpopo. It is a subsidiary of Ivanhoe Mines, a mining group listed in Canada. Platreef holds platinum group metals (PGMs), nickel, copper and gold. It is regarded as one of the largest PGM discoveries of recent decades.

The project has moved from exploration and construction towards production. As it grows, it needs engineers, geologists, surveyors and other trained people. Ivanplats prefers to find many of them in the communities that live close to the mine.

How Ivanplats supports students

The Ivanplats Bursary targets Historically Disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA) who come from communities around the Platreef mine. Recent calls named fields such as mining engineering, mine survey, geology, environmental studies and other technical subjects.

Published information says recipients can receive support for tuition and registration, university accommodation, books and learning materials. Some adverts also mention mentorship and exposure to the workplace at the mine. However, the exact package differs between intakes, and the company does not always publish full details. Check the current advert on the Ivanhoe Mines or Ivanplats recruitment pages.

This bursary is part of a wider promise to host communities. Ivanhoe Mines says it wants its projects to create local jobs, build skills and share benefits with the people nearby. A bursary helps a young person from the area train for a technical career that may one day lead to work at the mine.

What to know before applying

You will usually need to have finished Grade 12 and to hold an acceptance or registration at a recognised South African university. You must also live in one of the local communities surrounding the mine. Strong marks in Mathematics and Physical Science help for engineering and geology courses.

Applications are typically made through the Ivanplats jobs portal or by the method given in the advert. Keep certified copies of your ID, matric results, proof of residence and proof of university admission ready. Proof of residence matters because the programme is meant for the surrounding communities.

Closing dates change from year to year, so watch for the announcement rather than relying on an old date. The sources reviewed do not confirm whether a work-back contract applies. Ask the company or read the bursary agreement carefully before you sign.

Mokopane lies in the Waterberg District of Limpopo, where jobs outside farming and mining are scarce. For that reason, local bursaries matter a great deal to families in the area. Ivanhoe Mines also develops copper and zinc projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, so skills gained on a project like Platreef can be useful in a global mining career.