Tarkwa: Daniel Boadi, the Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, has advised final year students at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, to expand their career aspirations beyond the local job market and aim for global opportunities as they prepare to graduate.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Boadi highlighted the saturation of the Ghanaian mining sector, noting that UMaT has produced over 2,500 mining engineers since 2000, filling approximately 600 roles within the industry, with many professionals expected to remain in their positions for the next decade. He shared these insights during the 2026 Exit in Readiness Student Mentorship Programme, themed 'Becoming Employable in the Age of AI and Innovation,' organized by the Mine in collaboration with the University.
Mr. Boadi explained that UMaT forecasts the graduation of an additional 3,000 mining engineers into the local market over the next ten years. He revealed research from McKinsey and Company and TPD Workforce Solutions indicating a global shortage of technical talent in the mining industry, driven by mass retirements and declining university enrollments in Western nations. This has resulted in 25,000 to 45,000 global vacancies for mining engineers, amid a broader deficit of over 300,000 technical roles.
He emphasized the urgent global demand for new mines to support the energy transition, citing joint data from the International Energy Agency and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. The data indicates a need for 60 new copper mines, 50 new lithium mines, and 60 new nickel mines, among others, to power electric vehicles and renewable grids.
Mr. Boadi highlighted the presence of 4,000 to 7,000 active engineering vacancies in Sub-Saharan Africa, with significant deficits in specialized areas such as deep-level mine planning and geotechnical engineering. He also pointed to 3,000 to 5,000 engineering openings in Australia and 3,500 to 6,000 in Latin America, driven by large-scale underground copper and lithium projects.
He underscored the necessity for graduates to develop world-class skills to meet global recruitment standards, advising them to leverage AI, robotics, and automation while honing essential human qualities. Mr. Boadi mentioned AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine's investment of GHS17.2 million in youth development last year and the establishment of a USD 750,000 Smart Systems Centre focusing on AI and Robotics.
Ms. Peace Sitsofe Kploanyi, Assistant Registrar and Counsellor at UMaT's Counselling and Student Support Unit, introduced a personal employability formula to assist graduates in acquiring the knowledge, competence, and experience required for future employment. She encouraged them to engage actively with the programme, ask questions, and leave with actionable insights for their careers.