The Xstrata Alloys Helena mine is situated in a deep rural area where opportunities for further education are limited. Xstrata therefore provides access to in-house training for local residents including; basic adult education and various forms of skills development. Young graduates are also given an opportunity to complete their internships within Xstrata Alloys operations, while permanent employees have their further tertiary education studies financed

Xstrata Helena shares training and development facilities with Xstrata Mototolo, and also complies with the Mining Charter to achieve agreed targets in terms of skills training and development, as well as employment equity. These targets are registered with the Department of Labour, and reports are submitted on an annual basis.

Xstrata Helena and Mototolos’ training programs include:

• Adult Basic Education & Training
• Engineering Skills
• Material Handling
• Learnerships include Millwrights, Electrical, Platter Welder, Diesel Mechanics and fitters.
• Mining Skills – Fall Of Ground – Competency A & B
• HSEC

Xstrata’s skills development and educational opportunities work hand-in-hand with regulatory instruments such as the South African Industry Mining Charter, Black Economic Empowerment and the EmploymentEquity Act. Thus, Xstrata’s educational and training aims are all also intended to help facilitate greater industry participation by historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs).