Crushing and screening specialist Pilot Crushtec International (PCI) and training provider Opsmin Training Services South Africa are collaborating to provide an accredited training programme aimed at achieving a new, professional dimension for the screening industry, PCI announced earlier this month.

The training is officially recognised by the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and focuses on crushing, screening and occupational health and safety activities, both for operators and supervisory staff.

By virtue of its recognition by the MQA, the new course gives industry employees the opportunity to obtain official acknowledgement for their knowledge and skills.

“In the past, original-equipment manufacturers offered training, which, while useful from an operational perspective, has no professional standing. Within the structure in which we now operate, successful participants receive National Qualifications Framework credits, which can contribute towards a national diploma or possibly a bachelor’s degree,” says Opsmin director Alan Fletcher.

Courses offered are flexible and based on the needs and operational pressures of companies and their employees, with practical aspects tailored to suit operators of Metso crushing and screening equipment marketed by PCI. Generic content, however, teaches the basic theory of crushing and screening within the South African context.

Trainees learn technical aspects about cone and vertical impact crushers and screens, as well as ways of optimising the equipment.

Basic training also includes maintenance, with emphasis on enhancing the life cycles of parts to reduce downtime and replacement costs. Manuals explaining crushing, screening and systems are also supplied. These include the processes and products best suited to a specific type of application.

Apart from the operational advantages, an additional benefit is that, as an MQA-recognised skills programme, the cost can be claimed through the work skills programme and using the yearly training register submitted to the Mining and Minerals Sector Education and Training Authority.

PCI stated that Fletcher is uniquely qualified for his role, having served an engineering apprenticeship in the UK before emigrating to South Africa, where he joined the mining industry. He subsequently obtained a National Higher Metallurgical Diploma and then rose to the position of metallurgical manager at a leading gold producer before joining Metso to become construction GM, and thereafter customer training GM.

Following the announcement of the new training programme, PCI CEO Sandro Scherf noted that the programme dovetailed with PCI’s commitment to prioritise customer needs.

“This forms part of our policy to continually adapt and evolve to place customers’ needs first – beginning with a superior sales experience and continuing with legendary after-sales support,” he said.