Unki Mine - Class of 2027

At Unki Mine, the Class of 2027 experienced the intersection of heavy industry, geotechnical engineering, and environmental stewardship. The site offered insight into underground support systems, including refuge chambers and lifelines designed to protect workers in complex rock formations, and highlighted the challenges of maintaining structural stability under extreme conditions. The Tailings Storage Facility represented a monumental civil engineering achievement, with phreatic surface management, HDPE liners, and monitoring systems ensuring long-term containment of mining waste in compliance with global safety standards.

The smelter complex revealed the scale of industrial structural engineering, where massive reinforced concrete foundations support vibrating machinery and high-temperature furnaces, and specialised steel and refractory materials provide durability against extreme thermal and chemical stresses. Water and environmental management were integral to operations, with closed-loop systems recycling industrial and domestic water, and stormwater diversion channels protecting both the mine and downstream ecosystems. Finally, the mine’s township development in Shurugwi provided a window into urban engineering, where roads, sewer and water networks, and residential construction are integrated to deliver safe, functional housing in a remote location. The visit emphasised the multi-disciplinary nature of civil and water engineering in modern mining operations, showcasing how infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and safety converge to sustain a major industrial enterprise.