The Ghana Chamber of Mines will on Friday cut sod for the construction of a state-of-the-art Mining Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Materials Testing Laboratory at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa, at an estimated cost of US$1,257,193.47.
The initiative, which marks another milestone in the long-standing partnership between the Chamber and UMaT, is aimed at advancing research, innovation, and practical training in smart mining technologies, while also establishing a national centre for materials testing to serve the mining, petroleum, and allied industries.
The facility will be housed in a three-storey building located adjacent to the existing GCM Faculty of Mining and Minerals Building on the university’s campus. The Materials Testing Laboratory will occupy the ground floor, while the AI and Robotics Laboratories will be situated on the upper floors.
The project is expected to be funded from the second tranche of the Chamber’s Tertiary Education Fund (TEF), with approximately 60 percent of the disbursement allocated to the construction and equipping of the facility. About US$860,000 of the total will go into building the semi-green structure, while the remaining funds will be used to procure and install advanced testing and research equipment.
The AI and Robotics section of the laboratory will promote the development and application of smart mining systems, enabling students and researchers to design and build robots capable of performing complex mining operations such as drilling, ore transport, mine rescue, and particle size analysis.
This initiative aligns with UMaT’s commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice in technical education. The University has already introduced new courses in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Advanced Programming, and is seeking accreditation to launch full undergraduate programmes in Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering.
In the mining sector, the integration of AI and robotics is expected to transform safety and productivity by reducing human exposure to hazardous environments and enabling data-driven decision-making across operations.
Beyond robotics, the Materials Testing Laboratory will provide comprehensive testing services for materials used in the mining, petroleum, shipping, aeronautics, and manufacturing industries. It will offer testing capabilities in chemical, microstructural, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and corrosion analyses, as well as non-destructive investigations to ensure the reliability and integrity of industrial components.
Currently, Ghana lacks a dedicated, accredited facility for such testing, resulting in local industries outsourcing these services abroad. The new laboratory will therefore serve as a one-stop testing centre, promoting local content development, job creation, and retention of technical expertise within the country.
Commenting on the project, UMaT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Richard K. Amankwah, emphasized that the facility would be instrumental in equipping graduates with the skills required to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He noted that “the collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Mines will help produce industry-ready graduates capable of innovating and applying technology to solve real-world challenges in mining and beyond.”
According to the Chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Mines Tertiary Education Fund, Mr. Fred Attakumah, “This project embodies the collective vision of our member companies to invest in the future of mining through education, research, and technology. By supporting UMaT to establish this AI and Robotics Centre, we are equipping young Ghanaians with the digital and technical skills needed to lead the next phase of Ghana’s industrial transformation. It is an investment that will yield dividends in innovation, safety, and value creation across the mining value chain.”
He further noted that the TEF has become a model of how private sector-led initiatives can complement government efforts in building local capacity for industrial and technological development.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey described the project as a landmark step toward the Chamber’s vision of a smarter, safer, and more sustainable mining industry.
He stated, “The establishment of this Robotics and Materials Testing Laboratory is not just an investment in infrastructure it is an investment in the human capital and intellectual foundation that will drive Ghana’s mining industry into the future. Artificial Intelligence and robotics are redefining how mining is done globally, and we want Ghanaian institutions and professionals to be at the forefront of that transformation.”
Dr. Ashigbey further emphasized the broader economic impact of the project, adding that “The Chamber’s Tertiary Education Fund has already made significant contributions to academia and industry, and this new phase demonstrates our commitment to aligning education with industrial needs. When academia and industry collaborate effectively, we create jobs, stimulate innovation, and strengthen Ghana’s position as a hub for mining support services in West Africa.”
When completed, the GCM AI/Robotics and Materials Testing Laboratory will stand as a pioneering facility in West Africa, consolidating Ghana’s position as a leader in mining technology, education, and innovation.