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The future of mining in Ghana: Are stakeholders prepared for the adoption of autonomous mining systems?

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  • Kansake, Bruno Ayaga
  • Kaba, Felix Adaania
  • Dumakor-Dupey, Nelson Kofi
  • Arthur, Clement Kweku

Abstract

Autonomous mining systems (AMS) are being developed and deployed for improving mine productivity, safety and efficiency in countries like Australia and USA. Nonetheless, AMS implementation is known to cause social challenges such as job losses. These systems are expected to eventually be introduced into the Ghanaian mining industry. Thus, it is necessary to understand stakeholder perceptions of AMS to inform policy direction towards their implementation in Ghana. Such knowledge does not exist in the literature. This paper assesses the preparedness of mine stakeholders for the adoption of AMS to surface mining industry in Ghana. Data was gathered using closed, and open-ended questionnaires and analyzed in MS Excel using pivot charts to identify respondents’ knowledge levels, and preparedness for adoption of AMS. Detailed qualitative and quantitative content analyses of the only mining engineering program in Ghana were conducted to assess the adequacy of the program in meeting the future skill demands of the mining industry. The results reveal that even though respondents generally had knowledge of AMS, they expressed unwillingness to accept AMS into Ghanaian mines due to fear of increased unemployment. University courses were perceived by the respondents to focus on mundane and outdated mining technologies. These perceptions were corroborated by detailed content analysis of mining curricula of a Ghanaian university, as 48% of undergraduate and 75% of postgraduate mining courses were focused on these mundane technologies. Thus, avenues for acquiring skill set demands of future mining operations do not exist. We propose setting up a mining education fund (MEF) for equipping mining programs with the needed facilities to train stakeholders (employees and future employees) in AMS to provide adequate local labor that can work with AMS.

Suggested Citation

  • Kansake, Bruno Ayaga & Kaba, Felix Adaania & Dumakor-Dupey, Nelson Kofi & Arthur, Clement Kweku, 2019. "The future of mining in Ghana: Are stakeholders prepared for the adoption of autonomous mining systems?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:63:y:2019:i:c:44
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101411
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oshokoya, P.O. & Tetteh, M.N.M., 2018. "Mine-of-the-future: How is Africa prepared from a mineral and mining engineering education perspective?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 125-133.
    2. Solomon, Fiona & Katz, Evie & Lovel, Roy, 2008. "Social dimensions of mining: Research, policy and practice challenges for the minerals industry in Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 142-149, September.
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    4. Bellamy, Drew & Pravica, Luka, 2011. "Assessing the impact of driverless haul trucks in Australian surface mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 149-158, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kansake, Bruno Ayaga & Sakyi-Addo, Georgette Barnes & Dumakor-Dupey, Nelson Kofi, 2021. "Creating a gender-inclusive mining industry: Uncovering the challenges of female mining stakeholders," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    2. Upadhyay, Arvind & Laing, Tim & Kumar, Vikas & Dora, Manoj, 2021. "Exploring barriers and drivers to the implementation of circular economy practices in the mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Ali, Danish & Ur Rehman, Atta, 2020. "Adoption of autonomous mining system in Pakistan – Policy, skillset, awareness and preparedness of stakeholders," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    4. Hao Wang & Xiaoxia Zhang & Hui Yuan & Zhiguang Wu & Ming Zhou, 2023. "A Lean Scheduling Framework for Underground Mines Based on Short Interval Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Arhin, Patrick & Erdiaw-Kwasie, Michael Odei & Abunyewah, Matthew, 2022. "Displacements and livelihood resilience in Ghana's mining sector: The moderating role of coping behaviour," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Muhirwa, Fabien & Shen, Lei & Elshkaki, Ayman & Hirwa, Hubert & Umuziranenge, Gloriose & Velempini, Kgosietsile, 2023. "Linking large extractive industries to sustainable development of rural communities at mining sites in Africa: Challenges and pathways," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Heydari, Mehrnoosh & Osanloo, Morteza & Başçetin, Ataç, 2023. "Developing a new social impact assessment model for deep open-pit mines," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    8. Puppala, Harish & Peddinti, Pranav R.T. & Tamvada, Jagannadha Pawan & Ahuja, Jaya & Kim, Byungmin, 2023. "Barriers to the adoption of new technologies in rural areas: The case of unmanned aerial vehicles for precision agriculture in India," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

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