University of Mines to operate mine

The Minerals Commission and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help the institute to operate a mine to enhance teaching and learning.

The establishment of the mine would enable the students of the university to put into practice the knowledge acquired in the classroom so as to equip them for the industry.

The Vice Chancellor of UMaT Professor Jerry Kuma, and Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission Dr Tony Aubynn signed the MOU on the sidelines of the 11th West African Mining and Power Conference in Accra.

Commenting on the MOU, Dr Aubynn said the move was strategic since it would equip students with practical knowledge before entering the extractive industry.

“For me it is a fantastic development as it will prepare human capacity for the mining industry,” he said, adding that as students undertake the demonstration they would be ready as they join the job market.

Prof Kuma said the establishment of the mine would boost the training of manpower for the extractive sector.

In the long-term, the University would consider a partnership with some corporate institutions to run the mine in the future although the focus would not be for commercial purpose, he said.

Prof Kuma said the MOU was also an indication of the growing relationship between academia and industry as well as policy makers.

“We thought that we needed to bridge that gap so that when you’re making policies you should be talking to academia while we also set up the right training programmes,” he said.

UMAT was established in 1952 as Tarkwa Technical Institute. It is now a Centre of Excellence in Africa and noted for producing world-class professionals in the fields of mining, technology and related disciplines.

Source: GNA