The construction of a $1.2 million Multi-Purpose Mineral Resources block has begun at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa.

The three-storey block with 11 lecture rooms upon completion will contain between 120 to 180 students per room as well as 25 offices for lecturers and administrative staff.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony at UMaT, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Mines, Sulemanu Koney told Citi News the project’s funding is coming from the Chamber’s Tertiary Education Fund to help support the training of future professionals for the mining sector.

“The satisfaction obtained from enhancing young people pushing above their waist to cover sustainable career for themselves is the reason I’m always pleased to throw my heart in the wind to support any effort towards quality education in Ghana.”

“The leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the governing board of the Chamber’s special education fund have come together to perform this simple but important activity to support teaching and research in this great University,” he said.

The two-year construction project is being helmed by Wilhelm Ltd.

Wilhelm Ltd has already carried out other projects on the UMaT campus.

The Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, Professor Kwasi Amankwah, who believes the project would enhance convenient academic work, commended the Chamber of Mines for the project and others yet to start.

“We are grateful for all the six areas of support that they[Ghana Chamber of Mines] have given to the university, this being one of them. I have confidence in Wilhelm Limited.”

He also expects the company to deliver within the projected timeline.

“We are talking about 2 years but I think within one and half years I believe we can deliver so that we start using the facility”, he said.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UMaT, Professor Grace Ofori Sarpong, said the Chamber of Mines support to UMaT goes beyond just the multipurpose block.

“I will say we are very grateful because if I look at the fund, 60 to 65 percent is going to this building and the other 35 percent is to other five supporting areas. These include one undergraduate scholarship where 30 students have been awarded Chamber of Mines Tertiary Educational fund scholarship with 16 of them that’s those in the 2nd year and 3rd year there’s another package for them.”

She explained that “they will be attached to the mining companies throughout their programme and I’m sure by the end of the day they will also be absorbed there. Postgraduate students also have their share. We have post-graduate brands which will help them in their thesis.”