Bursary Programme

ERM is seeking graduates who are interested in pursuing full time post-graduate studies with reputable recognised universities. We can offer you an incredibly vast array of opportunities simply because our scope of work is so extensive. If you are pursuing studies in the environment, earth or natural sciences, in some of the engineering fields, in economics or the social sciences, then there may be an opportunity for you to work with us!

ERM Southern Africa continues to foster transformation. Our industry requires high calibre professionals from a multicultural background. We continually seek ways to nurture and develop talent.

All students with the appropriate undergraduate degree aiming to further their studies in the relevant disciplines may apply. As part of the selection criteria, students are required to choose one essay topic from the below list:

Topic 1

The importance of Stakeholder Engagement in regional Mine Closure

Topic 2

The Dark side of the Green Critical Mineral exploitation

Topic 3

The carotid rete is a distinctive feature of desert-adapted ungulates such as gemsbok. Critically evaluate the merits of prevailing interpretations of its function, identifying any assumptions or unsupported claims generally presented as fact by available resources or tools. Conclude by explaining the potential implications of relying on these interpretations and assumptions to determine which biological systems (or receptors) may be most at risk of significant impacts in the context of climate change

Topic 4

Describe your understanding of Sustainable Remediation and why is it necessary to consider. Expand on different sustainable management practices (SMPs) used in sustainable remediation. What would be potential roadblocks to implementing sustainable remediation and which strategies would you as a consultant use to advocate for sustainable remediation solutions to the industry who has contracted you.

Topic 5

You are investigating a commercial site that is suspected of having contaminated groundwater because of a petrol spill. Detail your investigation approach, i.e. describe what fieldwork techniques you may use, the methodology of your investigation as well selection of your analytical suites and provide your rationale. During your investigation, you discover that a residential property in the vicinity of the site has installed a borehole to abstract and use groundwater.

How would this information influence your investigation, what additional aspects would you need to consider safeguarding the borehole users from a risk perspective.

Topic 6

Emerging contaminants are increasingly recognised as a major environmental issue due to their persistence and potential human health risks. Within the African context, what emerging contaminant do you believe, could pose significant future liabilities to industry? Discuss the challenges with assessing, detecting, quantifying, regulating and managing risks associated with the emerging contaminant. Your essay could be supported by referencing applicable international case studies.

Topic 7

Your client operates an opencast mine. At the mine there are different sources of impacts on the surrounding groundwater and surface water resources, including dewatering of the mine as well as pollution from surface infrastructure such as the tailings dam. You are asked to, as part of their water management strategy, identify areas where water management can be improved in order to strengthen compliance with regulatory requirements (such as ICMM) and their sustainability program which aims to minimise environmental impact.

Please discuss what aspects you would look at and provide suggestions on practical interventions they can implement to reduce their environmental impact.

Topic 8

The dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose accelerated exposure to material water and nature risks. Proactively addressing these risks has the potential to bring opportunity and innovation to our client’s businesses, to the communities around their businesses.

Which aspects of a client’s licence to operate could be affected by water and/ or nature risks and impacts? Which aspects of a client’s…