MUSCAT: Eng Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, presided over the graduation ceremony of the Mining Competencies programme cohort at the Oman Institute for Oil and Gas. The two-year programme provided a comprehensive understanding of the mining industry in Oman, targeting both technical and non-technical professionals in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the mining sector.
The programme had two main parts. The first part was a two-week introductory course on mining operations, aimed at enhancing participants' awareness of general mining processes. It involved contributions from nine local and international entities and targeted around 60 participants from the Ministry and various mining companies.
The second part included seven advanced units, each lasting a week, focusing on specialised topics for technical professionals like geologists and mining engineers. It covered exploration methods, ore quantity estimation, mine design, feasibility studies, and practical mining project models. Over 25 entities from various fields contributed to this segment, enhancing participants' understanding and skills. International visits to Fujairah in the UAE and Saudi Arabia were also organized to learn about mining operations and regulatory management.
The programme aimed to elevate knowledge and expertise in mining, develop technical and non-technical skills, enhance interaction and cooperation among participants and experts, provide advanced knowledge in specialised areas, and encourage practical learning through international visits. It also sought to foster innovation and strengthen strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Al Aufi stated: "In our ongoing efforts to develop the mining sector, we celebrate the graduation of this cohort from the national programme for developing competencies in the Ministry and the mining sector. This programme aims to enhance the skills and competencies of our national workforce and is part of several initiatives by the Ministry to develop the mining sector. These initiatives include identifying public sites and concession areas, launching a digital platform for automating bidding processes to enhance transparency and equal opportunities. These achievements form a comprehensive roadmap to boost the mining sector and provide a conducive environment for investment and innovation."
Eng Nasser bin Saif al Maqbali, CEO of Oman Mining Development Company, said: "This training programme aligns with our strategic vision to invest in human capital as a key success factor. Training and developing our national competencies is essential for progress and innovation in the mining sector. Through this programme, we aim to qualify professionals with modern knowledge and advanced technical skills, capable of leading the sector's growth and achieving sustainable economic and social development."
He added: "We value the cooperation between Oman Mining Development, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and the Oman Institute for Oil and Gas. We will continue to focus on empowering young talents and contributing to the mining sector's development to enhance its role in economic growth."
Eng Nasr bin Nasser al Siyabi, Director General of the Oman Institute for Oil and Gas, stated: "Developing human resources is crucial for any sector's growth. We recognize the importance of this, especially given the government's efforts to develop the mining sector and its contribution to the national economy. We collaborated with the Ministry and Oman Mining Development Company to design the Mining Competencies programme, aimed at equipping sector workers with necessary skills and knowledge."
He added: "This programme demonstrates our commitment as a leading national institution in training and development. We strive to design training programs that meet various sectors' needs, contributing to national development goals and reinforcing Oman’s position as a regional training and development leader."
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