In recent months, several IM4DC Fellows have undertaken extended activities in Australia to conduct research and build knowledge in key aspects of mining for development.
One such Fellow is Elias Mutelani, a Resident Mines Officer with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in Tanzania.
As part of his IM4DC Fellowship, Elias travelled to Perth, Western Australia to undertake an internship at the Department of Mines and Petroleum WA, Resource Safety Division. The internship covered the following topics: resource safety, risk assessment, health and safety management, safety standards, and emergency response training.
IM4DC e-News spoke to Elias:
1. What are you hoping to achieve by participating in the IM4DC Fellowship Program?
I expect to familiarise myself with the mines safety and occupational health issues in Western Australia.
2. What knowledge and skills do you expect to gain from this experience?
I expect to gain improvement in mines inspection issues, especially more inspection techniques which will be gained from the program.
3. Do maintain professional working relationships with Australian people or institutions? Or do you plan to?
In Tanzania, there are several Australians with different professions working in the mines, so we collaborate during the inspections that I conduct in those mines. Also, there are exchange programs whereby Tanzanians are sent to different institutions in Australia for further studies.
4. How do you plan to maintain your relationship with IM4DC and DMP, when you return to your home country?
I plan to maintain my relationship with IM4DC through the M4DLink, and I also plan to proceed collaborating with Mines Inspectors at DMP.
5. What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt whilst undertaking work experience with the DMP?
On how to apply CONTUM data with SRS during mines inspection, these help the inspector to identify the number of employees in the mine. I also learnt how inspectors from different disciplines collaborate with safety and health representatives during inspections.
6. How do you plan to apply your learning’s on return to your home country?
I would like to apply the knowledge that I have gained to assist in the mines safety inspection programs in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in my country.