Rand Refinery

About Rand Refinery

Rand Refinery is one of the largest single-site integrated precious metals refining and smelting operations in the world. It is based in Germiston, Gauteng. The Chamber of Mines of South Africa established it in 1920. Today it refines about 99% of the gold mined in South Africa, along with extra volumes from elsewhere in Africa.

Operating at this scale demands specialised engineers. The company uses its education programme to find and develop talent early, rather than competing for graduates only after they finish their studies.

The refinery receives gold from mines, melts it and refines it to the standard that international markets require. Engineers keep the furnaces, chemical plants and control systems running safely. As a result, the company needs electrical, chemical and mechanical skills in the same place.

How Rand Refinery supports students

The bursary programme began in 2023 and has grown quickly. Reports say the company awarded 10 bursaries in its first year, then 26 in 2024, 59 in 2025 and 94 in 2026. In total, it has given out 189 awards worth about R17 million. This includes money used to clear historical fee debt for 32 tertiary students.

The fully funded bursary covers tuition, compulsory prescribed books, stationery, a laptop, a monthly stipend and accommodation. Engineering fields supported include electrical, chemical, mechanical, industrial and environmental engineering, as well as robotics and advanced control. The scheme was first aimed at technical qualifications that match refinery operations. More recently, it has expanded to include commercial studies.

Beyond bursaries, Rand Refinery supports schools in disadvantaged areas. Early in 2026, it gave out educational resource packs and school shoes across six provinces. It also provided science, technology, engineering and mathematics textbooks to secondary schools. These efforts show a wider interest in building skills from the school level upwards.

The 2026 awards were spread across six categories. They included 18 full bursaries, seven partial awards, ten NATED programme places, ten apprenticeship awards, 17 awards for top matriculants and 32 debt-settlement payments. This shows that the company supports different study routes, not only university degrees.

What to know before applying

Recent calls asked for South African citizens aged 18 to 25 who have completed matric. Applicants should study at a recognised university or university of technology. They needed a minimum overall average of 70%, and the calls targeted students in their first, second or third year of undergraduate study. Recipients must keep up their marks each year to stay on the programme.

Competition is strong because the intake is small compared with the number of applicants. Prepare certified documents and present your results clearly.

Public information does not state a specific work-back period or a guaranteed job. Therefore, ask Rand Refinery about any service obligation during the application process. Check the official Rand Refinery website for current closing dates, eligible fields and contact details before you apply.