Minerals Commission

COMPETENCY EXAMINATIONS

Competency Examinations are Statutory Examinations conducted by the Minerals Commission (Inspectorate Division) for the employees of Mining Companies, Quarries, Explosives Companies, Mine Support Services Companies and any other mining related companies, registered with the Minerals Commission and possess operating permit or Mine Support Services Operating Permit.

Mining and Mining related companies of Ghana may register their employees for the Competency Examinations by applying in writing with attached Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines.

Note: The Competency Examinations are not conducted for private individuals.

Types Of Competency Examinations

OPERATORS

Minimum Qualifications:
  1. Basic/Junior High School Certificate 
  2. 21 years and above
  3. At least 3 years working experience in operating related equipment
  4. Medically fit
  5. Must satisfy a board of examiners

OPERATOR’S TRAINERS

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. GCE Ordinary Level/Senior High School Certificate
  2. Holder of Operator’s Certificate of Competency
  3. 5 years working experience operating in related field
  4. Multi Skill Operator
  5. Medically fit 
  6. Must satisfy a board of examiners

EXPLOSIVES CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Literate 
  2. 21 years and above
  3. Medically fit with a sound mind
  4. Recognized valid first aid certificate
  5. Involve in explosives activities for at least 2 years. In the case of a Mining Engineer, 1year.
  6. Must satisfy a board of examiners appointed by CIM.

SHIFT BOSSES/MINING FOREMAN AND OFFICERS

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Literate 
  2. 21 years and above
  3. Medically fit with a sound mind
  4. Recognized valid first aid certificate
  5. Involve in explosives activities for at least 2 years. In the case of a Mining Engineer, 1year.
  6. Must satisfy a board of examiners appointed by CIM.

SHIFT BOSSES/MINING FOREMAN AND OFFICERS

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Literate;
  2. Holder of Explosives certificate of competency to conduct blast underground/surface;
  3. Recognized valid first aid certificate;
  4. Holder of Mine Rescue certificate issued by CIM (in the case of a Shift-Boss);
  5. Has complied with the provisions of the examination requirements;
  6. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties) 
  7. Not be more than 45years (in the case of a Shift-Boss)
  8. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

OFFICERS CERTIFICATE

Inspecting Engineer

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Electro mechanical Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. Other qualifications;
  2. At least Three (3) years relevant practical experience in the related field;
  3. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

Process/Plant/Metallurgy Foreman (Officer)

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing or Chemical Engineering from a recognized university.
  2. At least Three (3) years practical experience in mineral processing; 
  3. Must possess a recognised valid first aid certificate;
  4. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

Health, Safety and Environment Officer

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification;
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience on safety, health and environment practices.
  3. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

MINE CAPTAIN, EXPLOSIVES CAPTAIN, SECTIONAL ENGINEER, SENIOR PROCESS/ PLANT/ SAFETY HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

Mine Captain

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized University, GCE A-Level/O-Level, SHS and JHS.
  2. Has complied with the examination requirements;
  3. Does not possess the educational qualifications provided in (a) but qualifies to be appointed because has complied with the provisions of the examination requirements;
  4. Shift-Boss/Mine Foreman’s Certificate of Competency;
  5. Blasting Certificate of Competency;
  6. Mine Rescue Brigade certificate (mine captain underground);
  7. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  8. Shall not be more than 45years (mine captain underground), CIM may exempt;
  9. At least two years practical experience in mining or metallurgy after obtaining shift-boss or mine foreman’s certificate of competency;
  10. Recognized Valid First Aid Certificate.

Explosive Captain

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized University, GCE A-Level/O-Level, SHS and JHS.
  2. Explosive Foreman’s Cert. of Competency
  3. Explosives Certificate of Competency
  4. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  5. At least 3 years practical experience in mining after obtaining Explosives Foreman Certificate of Competency;
  6. Recognized Valid First Aid Certificate.
  7. Must satisfy a Board of Examiners. 

Quarry Captain

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized University, GCE A-Level/O-Level, SHS and JHS.
  2. Quarry Foreman Certificate of Competency;
  3. Blasting Certificate of Competency;
  4. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  5. At least 3 years practical experience in mining after obtaining Quarry Foreman Certificate of Competency;
  6. Recognized Valid First Aid Certificate.
  7. Must satisfy a Board of Examiners. 

Sectional Engineering Officer

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Electro mechanical Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. Other qualifications; 
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience after acquisition of an Inspecting Engineer’s certificate of competency;
  3. Must satisfy a Board of Examiners. 

Senior Process/Plant/Metallurgy Engineer

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing or Chemical Engineering from a recognized university;
  2. At least Three (3) years practical experience in mineral processing after acquisition of Process/Plant/Metallurgy certificate of competency; 
  3. Must possess a recognised valid first aid certificate;
  4. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

Senior Safety, Health and Environment Officer

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification;
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience on Safety, Health and Environment practices after acquisition of SHE Officer’s Certificate of Competency;
  3. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

 

UNDERGROUND MANAGER / MINE SUPERINTENDENT,
ENGINEERING SUPERINTENDENT, PROCESSING SUPERINTENDENT,
SHE SUPERINTENDENT, ETC. CERTIFICATION

Underground Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering from a recognized university;
  2. Mine Captain’s Certificate of Competency (Underground);
  3. Shift-Boss Certificate of Competency;
  4. Blasting Certificate of Competency;
  5. Shall not be more than 45years (mine captain underground), CIM may exempt;
  6. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  7. Valid first aid certificate from recognized institution;
  8. Mine Rescue Brigade certificate;
  9. At least 3 years practical experience in mining after obtaining Mine Captain Certificate of Competency; 
  10. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.

Mine Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering from a recognized university;
  2. Mine Captains Certificate of Competency
  3. Mine Foreman’s Cert. of Competency
  4. Blasting Certificate of Competency
  5. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  6. At least 3 years practical experience in mining after obtaining Mine Captain Certificate of Competency;
  7. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination. 

Explosive Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering from a recognized university;
  2. Explosive Captain Certificate of Competency
  3. Explosive Foreman’s Cert. of Competency
  4. Blasting Certificate of Competency
  5. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  6. At least 3 years practical experience in mining after obtaining Explosives Captain Certificate of Competency;
  7. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination. 

Metallurgical Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing or Chemical Engineering from a recognized university. 
  2. Additional certifications or licensure appropriate to the job may be required 
  3. Prior experience in a mining, milling, or industrial plant setting.
  4. A minimum of (Three) 3 years practical experience in equivalent process related field after obtaining a plant foreman certificate;
  5. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.

Engineering Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience after acquisition of the Sectional Engineer’s certificate of competency;
  3. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination. 

Safety, Health & Environment Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification;
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience on safety, health and environment practices after acquisition of SHE Senior Officer certificate of competency;
  3. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

MINE MANAGER, ENGINEERING MANAGER,
PROCESSING / MET MANAGER, SHE MANAGER,
QUARRY MANAGER, EXPLOSIVES MANAGER, ETC. CERTIFICATION

Mine Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining from a recognized university.
  2. Mine Superintendent Certificate of competency
  3. Mine Captains Certificate of Competency
  4. Shift-Boss/Mine Foreman’s Certificate of Competency
  5. Blasting Certificate of Competency
  6. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  7. At least 3 years practical experience in similar field after obtaining Mine Superintendent Certificate of Competency
  8. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.

Metallurgical Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Metallurgy, Ore Processing or Chemical Engineering from a recognized university;
  2. A minimum of 3 years in equivalent process related field after obtaining Metallurgical Superintendent Certificate of competency;
  3. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.

Engineering Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification. Other Qualifications;
  2. At least Three (3) years practical experience after acquisition of the Engineering Superintendent certificate of competency;
  3. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.

Safety, Health & Environment Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification;
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience on Safety, Health and Environment practices after acquisition of SHE Superintendent certificate of competency;
  3. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

Engineering Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Electromechanical Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification.
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience after acquisition of the Sectional Engineer’s certificate of competency;
  3. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination. 

Safety, Health & Environment Superintendent

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification;
  2. At least Three (3) years field work experience on safety, health and environment practices after acquisition of SHE Senior Officer certificate of competency;
  3. Must satisfy a board of examiners.

Explosives Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering from a recognized university, or an equivalent qualification and in addition has complied with the examination requirement;
  2. Explosives Superintendent Certificate of competency;
  3. Explosives Captain Certificate of Competency;
  4. Explosives Foreman’s Certificate of Competency;
  5. Explosives Certificate of Competency;
  6. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties); 
  7. At least 2 years practical experience in similar field after obtaining Explosives Superintendent Certificate of Competency
  8. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.

Quarry Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering from a recognized university, or an equivalent qualification and in addition has complied with the examination requirements;
  2. Explosives Certificate of Competency to conduct blasting operations;
  3. Medically fit (sound sight and hearing, does not have any infirmity that will interfere with efficient discharge of the duties);
  4. At least 2 years practical experience in quarrying operations after obtaining Quarry Captain Certificate of Competency;   
  5. At least 10 years practical experience in mining after obtaining Explosives Certificate of Competency;
  6. Must pass Senior Mine Official Examination.