Kinross Gold is committing $10 million in funding over the next three years to assist the government of Mauritania in establishing a new mining school that will develop a pool of skilled in-country professionals and technical experts to support the future development of Mauritania’s mining industry, including the company’s recently acquired Tasiast mine.
The Mauritania Mining School will have two campuses, located in Nouakchott and Akjoujt, and will focus on developing both technicians and engineers for careers in the mining industry. The three-year technician program will focus on mineral technology, and will be based in Akjoujt. The five-year engineering programs will focus on management of mineral resources and on electro-mechanics, and will be based in Nouakchott.
At full capacity, the school is expected to host a total of 340 students and to graduate 50 engineers and 30 technicians annually. The school is scheduled to start up in 2013-2014.
Planning for the school is being coordinated by the Mauritanian Mining School Implementation Unit, under the direction of an Orientation Committee comprising all major stakeholders in the project, including government, mining companies, and other project contributors, and overseen by the Mauritanian Ministry of Mines.
“This is an investment not only in the future of Tasiast, but also the future of Mauritania,” said Kinross President and CEO Tye Burt. “Developing a world-class mining industry depends on developing a pool of skilled technicians and engineers. The Mining School will give a new generation of Mauritanians the skills they need to lead the development of their country’s rapidly expanding mining industry, which promises to be a key driver for Mauritania’s economic development.”
The Mining School commitment is the first part of a comprehensive investment by Kinross in training and skills development to support the planned expansion of the Tasiast mine in northern Mauritania. Among other initiatives, Kinross also plans to establish a technical training centre which will focus on training personnel in the specific skills required to operate the expanded mining and processing operation on a day-to-day basis. The company has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of its long-term training requirements for the expanded Tasiast operation and plans to announce further investments in 2011.
Kinross completed the acquisition of the Tasiast mine on September 17, 2010, as part of its combination with Red Back Mining. The company has been proceeding with an accelerated program of exploration and development at Tasiast, which it believes to be one of the world’s most exciting gold properties.