As part of their centenary celebration, Rand Refinery in Germiston is providing financial support to Ekurhuleni jewellers and a 12-month mentorship programme to 18 candidates.

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The Enterprise Development Programme is a culmination of Rand Refinery, Ekurhuleni Jewellery Project (EJP) and NQ Jewelers (NQ), and the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR).

The programme is made up of 18 SMMEs, who are historically disadvantaged individuals who have registered companies as start-ups.

The main aim of the initiative is to provide much-needed financial assistance and create jobs whilst providing technical assistance to develop the downstream jewellery manufacturing industry and marketing and sales mentorship as this is key to the life-cycle of the business chain in selling or disseminating more products.

Rand Refinery Limited was registered on November 27, 1920.

It was registered as a private company with initial capital raised from shares limited to gold mining companies that were members of the Chamber of Mines.

In the early days of South African gold mining, the crude bullion produced had to be shipped to London for refining.

However, the year 1909 was the first step on our journey of independence when the Transvaal Chamber of Mines founded the Witwatersrand Co-operative Smelting Works, to treat the gold and silver-bearing by-products from reduction works.