TCC-CIMET, Engineering Council, Ghana, Russian Mining Engineers Association Advance Framework for Professional Certification of Mining Engineers in Africa

The TCC International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TCC-CIMET), in partnership with the Engineering Council, Ghana, and the National Association of Mining Engineers of Russia, is advancing efforts to establish a professional certification framework for mining engineers in Africa.

The initiative began in Ghana through online engagements and collaborative document preparation before progressing to an in-person meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia, held on the sidelines of the 2nd Russian African Raw Materials Dialogue. The meeting brought together representatives of the participating institutions to discuss a structured approach to assessing and certifying the professional competence of mining engineers.

The proposed framework seeks to establish a credible and recognized standard that demonstrates professional competence and provides a clear pathway towards registration. Rather than replacing existing national requirements, the framework is designed to build on established systems while drawing on international best practices. The partners are also exploring relevant international experience, including a pilot initiative involving the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).

At the center of the framework are 29 competencies that will guide professional assessment. The proposed implementation process includes stakeholder engagement, training of assessors, controlled pilot testing in Ghana and Russia, and an evaluation of compatibility and cost implications before a national decision is sought from the relevant council.

Assessment is expected to combine professional interviews with portfolio reviews, supported by an assessment panel drawing expertise from academia and industry. Discussions also explored the composition of the panel and the need to ensure that the assessment process remains credible, practical and relevant to the mining profession.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing a certification framework that is locally owned, internationally respected and responsive to the evolving demands of the mining sector. If successfully implemented, the initiative could strengthen professional standards, support competence-based recognition and contribute to the development of mining engineering expertise across Africa.

The meeting was attended by Dr Viacheslav Zyrin, Executive Director of the National Association of Mining Engineers, Russia; Prof. Francis Davis, Director General of TCC-CIMET; Ing. Dr Sitsofe David Addo, Board Chairman of the Engineering Council Ghana; Ing. Isaac Bedu, Registrar of the Engineering Council Ghana; Prof. Mike Agbesi Acheampong, Member of Engineering Education and Training (Ghana); and Ing. Dr (Mrs.) Enyonam Kpekpena, Executive Director of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE).

The next phase will focus on stakeholder engagement, pilot implementation and evaluation, with the broader ambition of establishing a professional certification model that strengthens confidence in the competence of mining engineers in Ghana and potentially across the continent.