Mining companies and professionals in Ghana have been asked to embrace some knowledge and intelligence in recent technology to enable them to explore opportunities and become competitive as well.
Mr Henry Antwi, an Australian based mining and mineral economics consultant who made this known said that,
“Mining companies should embrace knowledge in artificial intelligence and technology. The challenge for Ghana and other developing countries is to strike a balance between automation and employment and the need to use technology as an augmentation to human skills.”
Touching on the importance of the idea, Mr Antwi said it was important for professionals to adopt skills needed to make them competitive and explore opportunities to diversify and have multi-skills.
“Embark on short courses to reskill because modern mining involves more than the silos of geology, metallurgy and mining engineering.”
Also talking about the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on the industry, he urged mining professionals in the industry to refocus on building a resilient post COVID-19 workforce for sustainable development.
Mr Antwi, who is also a fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, made this remarks in his address during a virtual presentation in Accra for Mining Network, which is an association of mining professionals at their third quarter meeting for the year on the theme: “Navigating Career Challenges in the Mining Industry Post Covid-19”.
He revealed also that the future economic and metals market was highly uncertain due to the impact of the pandemic adding that,
“Mining companies should adapt to changing organizational and business requirements and implement professional development policies to address the challenges.”
Mr. Antwi called for the needed operational improvement and re-alignment of strategies to the longer-term fallout from the pandemic.
He said,
“The virus-related production cuts coupled with high operating costs due to social distancing and stay at home orders would put pressure on profit margins of mining companies.”
He also advised the mining companies that they should help mitigate the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the local industry by boosting investments in the local communities.
