Mining Journalism Training a milestone in my career as an engineering journalist

With more than 100 applications for the Mining Journalism training, 23 trainees were selected to spend two days learning and engaging with mining experts.

Mining Journalism Training is made possible by Menar Academy. It is a platform to feed journalists with the necessary basic knowledge on mining.

The training complimented existing journalism skills that the trainees had already acquired, which included understanding the dynamics of the industry and being able to spot red flags and positive angles when doing specialized reporting in the field . The aim was for the trainees to have a wide and clear understanding of the mining industry including its history.

Day 1 of the training which I think had a huge impact and was more effective was based on the theoretical part, presentations and one on one interactions.  Specialists from the field, specializing in different departments such as mining law, mining researchers, mining employees’ structure and journalists shared their knowledge an experiences.

Being reminded that we are first journalists before Mining Journalists is what I took from the presentations, meaning we have to be objective and take human interest into consideration in whatever that we report on. This is one of the main reasons that may have implemented the existence of journalism/ reporting. Getting a chance to ask questions to relevant people who are already pursuing my dream career is the greatest beginning of pushing my specializing potential to the fullest.

Presentations cleared my curiosities an assumptions about mining. What stands out about the being part of the training is being a female in a male dominated field, and representing women who played a role in the origin of mining and were never recognised through writing and reporting on what made and still makes South Africa’s economy.

By Onthatile Ratlagane