President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minerals Commission to immediately issue a license for the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) to operate its model small-scale mine.
The directive was issued during UMaT’s 18th Special Congregation, which awarded 55 postgraduate degrees, including six PhDs and 21 master’s degrees.
Speaking at the event, UMaT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, highlighted that the university has completed all exploration work on the site but was awaiting approval to commence mining.
He described the initiative as a potential game changer for promoting responsible small-scale mining in Ghana.
President Mahama, who was present at the ceremony where the Chief Executive of Engineers and Planners, Ibrahim Mahama, received a PhD, instructed the Minerals Commission to coordinate with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to fast-track the licensing process.
“The Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission is here, and I wish that by the time we leave here he makes a commitment to issue the license to the university. His minister is also here, I expect his minister to direct him to issue that licence,” he said.
UMaT, a premier specialized mining university, has long sought to translate its training programs into practical operations, bridging theory and practice in the sector.
