KEY POINTS
- Africa’s mining industry is expanding rapidly, creating demand for skilled professionals.
- Leading universities are equipping students with cutting-edge mining expertise.
- Collaborations with the industry are vital for shaping future mining leaders.
The continent boasts of a rich mineral endowment that has over the years supported the growth of the mining industry in most African countries. Africa is a significant component of the global mining industry thanks to the numerous deposits of gold, copper, diamonds, and other important minerals like cobalt and lithium. It is evident that this sector plays an important role and forms a major share in the GDP, export and employment of countries. Nonetheless, to meet the challenges associated with growth and expansion, technology, the environment, and regulations, there is need for highly qualified minining personnel in the African continent. Universities are not idle and are coming up with great human resource that studies the intricacies of the mining industry and fosters the growth of the industry.
The rising need for mining experts in Africa
There are several elements that explain why the demand for qualified mining professionals is increasing. Africa’s mineral resources, some of which are crucial for green energy technologies, are getting more desirable hence the increasing importance of the mining sector. Also, mining technology which includes automation, artificial intelligence, and big data among others are evolving and expanding the need for experts in such fields. Also, due to continuously growing demand for environmentally friendly mining and raised requirements to the environmentally responsible mines, the expertise in these fields is crucial.
This is because, as the mining industry grows, universities are now offering related courses and undertaking research to suit the sector’s requirements. They are not only training the future professional miners, engineers, geologists, and environmental specialists but are advancing mining through research in health and safety, education, and technology and sustainability.
Major African universities foundational to mining professionals
A number of African Universities have developed themselves and are on the process of laying a foundation of the mining industry of the future in Africa.
1. As one of the prestigious universities in South Africa, currently over fifty thousand students, Wits University is located at Jabulani Street, Braamfontein 2050, Johannesburg (University of Witwatersrand (Wits University) – South Africa).
Situated in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wits University is one of the leading universities on the African continent in terms of mining education. With degree specializations in mining engineering, geology, and environmental management, Wits has been active in mining research for many years. This has meant that the university has fairly close links with the mining industry hence producing graduates capable of managing global mining projects. Some specific areas of focus at Wits include mine health and safety, sustainability, and mineral processing which this research seeks to contribute towards. Some of its alumni occupy top management positions in some of the biggest international mining firms.
2. University of Pretoria – South Africa
Another institution in South Africa that offers mining education is the University of Pretoria. Among them, its Faculty of Engineering is one of the leading schools in mining engineering, metallurgy and geoscience program. This means that the university has the opportunity to produce recent research and go the extra mile to provide tangible solutions to the issues affecting this industry, especially in safety, and sustainability. This programme prepares graduates of the University of Pretoria to be strategic players in the mining sector in South Africa and across the fraternity.
3. University of Ghana – Ghana
The university of Ghana must have specific and strategic importance in West African region and more specifically in the mining sectors of Ghana with the consideration of gold and bauxite. The university provides focused programs in mineral engineering and mining technology with a prevalent theme on sustainable mining. Based on the results of research partnerships between major mining firms worldwide and the university, the mining talent pool in Ghana has been nurtured. They key mining programs are useful in handling issues relating to the dynamic mining industry in Ghana.
4. Cairo University – Egypt
Cairo University is among those institutions in North Africa that offer education in mining. For instance the university’s programs in mining engineering and geophysics are structured on the needs of the mines especially for exploring and managing the resources. Cairo University is known for its research conducted regarding the increase of efficient efficiency of mining and for producing professionals to be involved in the mining operations, not only in Egypt but also in the Middle East and Africa regions.
5. University of Zambia – Zambia
Since Zambia is one of the largest producers of copper globally, the University of Zambia has a significant responsibility of producing mining professionals, especially in the fields of copper and coal mining. The education that the university offers is relevant to Zambia’s mining needs, while research done by the university looks at enhancing methods of mining, mining safety and environmental management among others according to the current Zambian regulations. The university maintains a strong industry relationship with most of the large mining firms in Zambia such as First Quantum Minerals in order to address skills gaps.
Challenges faced by mining education in Africa
However, there are some challenges that are still evident despite the positive articulation of the mining education. Another challenge is that many universities all over the Africa do not have enough funding and facilities to support mining programmes effectively and equip them with the required modern tools and technologies. Moreover, the emigration of highly-trained people to seek better paid employment in other countries commonly referred to as ‘brain drain’ offers another challenge to African institutions. Moreover, there is a demand for curriculum modification in order to prepare the graduates for the changes that occur in the industry including automation, sustainability, and digitization trends.
The future of mining education in Africa
It is for this reason that the future of mining education depends on increased collaboration between the mining industry and universities tackling curriculum reforms to meet the needs of the sector. Sustainability will also have to become more of a priority in African universities as the world turns its attention to responsible mining. This is done through sensitizing experts on how to ensure minimal negative effects of mining on the environment in the use of water and other raw materials and disposal of wastes and the restoration of the affected land. The use of technology such as artificial intelligence, automation and big data in mining education will also be vital for successor mining leaders.
The African universities have a critical role to play in the growth of African mining sector by preparing human resource that will steer the sector. Being research-oriented, innovative, and aligned with the mining industry, these institutions guarantee Africa’s mining sector the human capital that will address its future demands. Hence, as the sector develops these universities will serve an important function in maintaining Africa as the prime continent for mining and resource development.
