ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR APPLICATION

On behalf of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), are organising the

International Germany Alumni Seminar

in the frame of the DAAD Alumni Programme for Further Training and Integrating International Alumni:

"Responsible Artisanal and Industrial Miners in Africa"

6th – 10th October 2025: In-person training seminar in Takoradi, Ghana

Call For Application of Alumni Seminar UMaT 2025

Training Seminar Aims

Africa is rich in mineral resources and plays a significant role in global mining, with substantial reserves of gold, platinum, cobalt, and more. The sector is a major contributor to many African economies, driving exports, government revenue, and GDP.

However, mining activities often cause serious environmental disruptions—such as vegetation loss, landform changes, air and water pollution, and soil degradation—with lasting ecological impacts. Additionally, communities near unsustainable mining operations face socio-economic challenges, including the loss of forests and agricultural land, which are vital to the livelihoods of many Africans.

A significant portion of Africa’s mineral output—such as 25% of tin and 26% of tantalum—comes from artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). ASM is low-tech and labour-intensive, involving mostly unskilled workers using rudimentary tools. In Ghana, around one million people are directly employed in ASM, with an estimated five million more depending on it—roughly 16% of the population. ASM in Africa faces environmental, social and governance problems.

In contrast, large-scale mining (LSM) is industrial, capital-intensive, and operates under formal legal frameworks, with access to advanced technology and geological data. While generally more regulated, LSM also brings significant challenges, including environmental degradation, pollution, and health risks. Even legal, well-managed operations can result in serious social and ecological impacts.

This seminar aims to build bridges between the ASM and LSM sectors to explore opportunities for cooperation, including:

  1. Technical support and improved mining tools for ASM from industrial partners
  2. Safer and more efficient refining methods
  3. Shared health, safety, and environmental management systems
  4. Joint training and qualification programs
  5. Collaborative mine closure and land reclamation plans

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), located in the heart of Ghana’s gold mining region, is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative, given its academic strength, research infrastructure, and strong ties with both artisanal and industrial miners.

 

Tentative Programme

During the seminar, participants will lay the groundwork for a cooperative strategy that bridges artisanal and industrial mining. They will be supported by keynote speakers, representatives from both mining sectors, women-in-mining groups, UMaT staff, and—ideally—a neutral mediator.

The program includes expert input on artisanal mining and mediation techniques, as well as a field excursion for hands-on site visits and direct engagement with mining communities. A Future Workshop (Zukunftswerkstatt) will offer a space for collaborative and practical strategy development. Additionally, a one-day training session will prepare participants for multiplier roles, enabling them to share outcomes and foster dialogue within their respective networks.

Key seminar components will include:

  1. Identification of shared challenges and opportunities for cooperation between ASM and LSM
  2. Presentation of sustainable technical and managerial practices from both sectors
  3. Exploration of ways industrial miners can support safer, more efficient ASM operations
  4. Strategy building for responsible mine closure and land reclamation
  5. Design of training and capacity-building programs for artisanal miners
  6. Strengthening of networks between stakeholders from ASM, LSM, academia, and policy

The final seminar program will be published after all applications have been reviewed. 

It is necessary to participate in the whole programme.

 

DAAD Eligibility Criteria for Participation

This training seminar targets Alumni of German universities / research Institutions (so called German Alumni) who

  • are citizens of countries in the African Union listed on the OECD DAC list (https://au.int/en/member_states/countryprofiles2) 

  • spent at least 3 months in Germany on education/research errands (study, training, teaching, research)

    OR who were funded within the framework of

    • the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Program or
    • the Centres of African Excellence or
    • the SDG Graduate Schools or
    • the Excellence Centres for Exchange and Development – exceed
  • currently live and work in their home countries / in countries in the African Union listed on the OECD DAC list.

You should have 

  1. a proven background in academic fields relevant to the topics of mineral resources management, mining technologies, mining and environment, mining and community 
  2. professional experience and personal interest in one of the following areas: research, education, NGOs, government agencies, policy making, project development, local communities, and related stakeholders, 
  3. the requirements to act as a potential change agent (multiplier) who will present the training seminar results in your home country and thus disseminate the acquired knowledge as well as develop ideas and projects for regional implementation, 
  4. the willingness and ability to contribute to intercultural and cross—cultural communication and inclusion 
  5. adequate language proficiency which is essential to actively participate in the workshops and discussions as the seminar will be held in English. 

 

Cost Coverage

  • International return ticket to and from Accra and airport transfer to hotel (lowest possible economy class airfare – up to a maximum grant of € 900 (in case the flight budget does not allow for a full flight reimbursement)
  • Local transport in Ghana
  • Accommodation and partial living expenses during the stay in Takoradi
  • Visa costs (max. 35 Euro)
  • Travel health insurance (max. 35 Euro)

Please note: 

Any other than the above-mentioned costs must be covered by the participants, i.e., particularly:

  • Transport between the participants’ place of residence and the national airport.
  • Travel costs associated with participants’ visa application in their country of residence.
  • Local transport in Ghana for private errands not associated with the seminar/ trade fair.

In case of a self-inflicted no-show, the costs must be covered by the participant. Rebooking can only be considered in exceptional cases and only after consultation.

Please keep in mind that living expenses are only covered partly during your stay in Takoradi. 

 

Extensions of stays before or/and after the training seminar are only possible up to 5 working days and upon submission of a comparison of flight ticket prices before you start your travel.

You will have to pay any difference between the flight ticket prices for the official arrival/return date (see below) and your actual date of travel before/after your extension. You must also cover by yourself any additional travel costs, subsistence costs and other additional costs of your extension. 

Extensions beyond 5 days must be of an official nature, which you need to justify, e.g. through visits to universities, organizations, institutions, companies etc. and with details about contact persons and a day-to-day programme of activities. These extensions must be approved by DAAD before you start your travel. Decisions by DAAD are made on an individual nature based upon your justification, your programme etc. 

For any extension, you need to organize your accommodation by yourself, and, very important, you have to make sure to have a valid health insurance for the extension days.

Travel dates:

5th                       October 2025:   Arrival in Takoradi

6th – 10th             October 2025:   Training seminar in Takoradi

11th                     October 2025:   Individual departure from Accra

 

Application Procedure

Your application (in English language) should emphasize your motivation and professional benefit for your participation.  You must 

  • have a PROVEN academic and professional background in issues of resources and environmental management and mining. 
  • be willing to actively participate in the seminar, including a self-preparatory stage followed by contributions during and after the seminar.
  • have the potential to act as multipliers within their professional networks, disseminating the knowledge and skills gained from the seminar

You should illustrate how you are planning to imply the gained knowledge and what possible stakeholders for collaboration you may identify for your professional career.

Your application (in English language) must include the following documents in one single pdf file (in “Arial font size 11, 2.5 line spacing, except for the application form):

  • A filled-out application form
  • A short CV with photograph and relevant documentation of alumni status (max 2 pages)
  • An abstract/short description of your intended contribution to the training seminar (max 1 page) 
  • A short description of your present duties/ position and your personal professional goals, indicating your envisaged field of activities and duty level (max 1 page)
  • An overview on seminars, workshops or conferences visited in Germany after finishing your studies in Germany (max 1 page)

The PDF-document should be named ‘Last name_First name_country’

(e.g. Mustermann_Mara_Germany).

Please send your application, as one single pdf file, latest by 10 August 2025 via email to: Jiangxue [dot] liu [at] mabb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Jiangxue[dot]liu[at]mabb[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) 

Please note: Completeness of personal data mentioned in the online application form will affect your eligibility as a participant.

After the review by the organizing committee, the invited participants will be notified by the end of August 2025. 

 

For further questions, please contact Dr. Jiangxue Liu (Jiangxue [dot] liu [at] mabb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Jiangxue[dot]liu[at]mabb[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de))