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Students Mining Engineering Society

The Students Mining Engineering Society (SMES) is a school based non-profit organisation that focuses on the integration of the mining engineering students at the University of the Witwatersrand into the mining profession and industry at large. SMES is run by a committee of 10 members, who are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in August/ September. The committee is headed by the Chairperson, who is also elected. Additional members may be co-opted as required. SMES is governed by a constitution, which is registered with the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University.

SMES is the co-ordinating body for various events participated and undertaken by mining students. It also runs the students “common room”, better known as the Orehouse. This is the scene of many a raucous social function – the less said about that the better! The SMES Public Relations Officer writes a regular newsletter for the mining students – other students peruse it at their own peril! This gives news of the doings of the students and the School, as well as providing some light relief in the form of jokes and cartoons.

SMES is not only a social and sporting society. In partnership with the School Council, SMES assists with arranging additional tutoring for junior students, assists students with integrating into university life. SMES also provides support and encouragement, and communicates with companies to secure vacation work for mining engineering.

MISSION 

To ensure that every student leaves Wits University well equipped with all the tools needed to thrive in the industry.

OBJECTIVE

SMES works and hosts events throughout the year to increase students’ network base by offering them an opportunity to interact with various stakeholders in the mining industry.

Women in Mining

SMES Women in Mining (WIM) is a chapter that was launched in 2019. Its main objective is to empower female mining students by giving them a platform to grow and partner with Women in Mining South Africa. The SMES WIM is lead by a member who is part of the SMES committee that is mentioned above.

Activities

SMES has a soccer team and a netball team that are both fully functional and active in the University’s internal leagues.

SMES also has a choir that performs at events and it is commercialised.

Events

First Year Welcome: This is the official welcoming of first year students to the School of Mining followed by a braai with lecturers and senior students.

Fourth Year Gala Dinner: A formal event where industry giants are invited to speak to and prepare final year students as they get ready to join the working world.

Ted Edward’s Sports Day: A day where mining engineering students are given a platform to interact and network with miners over sporting activities and a braai. 

Mine Manager’s Day: Students dress up as the mine managers that they aspire to be. They sing and chant throughout campus.

Miner’s Day: Students dress up in full PPE in honour of mine workers. They sing and chant throughout campus. They proudly remind the Wits populace that the School of Mining founded Wits University.

Women in Mining Colloquium: Seeks to create an empowering network to inspire, support and develop progression of women in the Wits School of Mining Engineering.

Miner’s Ball: The last event of the year. A farewell to the soon to be graduates through industry engagements on pressing issues and/or opportunities to look out for. The set-up of this event is by dining and looking elegant.

Contact Us

Email: Wits.smescomm@gmail.com

Instagram: wits_smes

Twitter: smes_in

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WitsMiners/

School reception: 011  717 7415

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