Australia’s Murdoch University will launch an advanced training program for geologists working at the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA) and affiliated companies. The program, designed in cooperation with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR), secured the necessary approvals.
The program was first discussed during the visit by Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, to Perth, Australia, in November, when a letter of intent (LoI) was signed with the university to develop the capabilities of geologists and leaders in Egypt’s mining sector and transfer advanced global expertise to the industry.
It focuses primarily on practical training and direct professional exposure rather than relying on theoretical content or online learning, according to a MoPMR statement. This approach aims to provide hands-on experience that cannot be gained through theoretical methods or remote learning, while also transferring best practices from mining operations in Australia.
Murdoch University, located in Western Australia, is one of the world’s leading mining hubs, offering trainees a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest practices and technologies applied in the mining sector.
The ministry is soon to announce the opening of applications for the training program to all targeted groups within the authority and its affiliated companies to ensure broad participation. Training will begin once qualified candidates are selected based on clear and transparent evaluation criteria, with priority given to candidates who best meet the technical and administrative requirements.
Additional specialized training programs will also be introduced for senior management at the authority.
The first cohort of the program will consist of two groups, each including 10 trainees. The program features a technical track dedicated to geologists that will run for three weeks, starting with a one-week online introductory phase for theoretical lectures, followed by two weeks of in-person practical training at the university campus in Australia.
The program will also include field training and geological site visits across Australia, in addition to visits to gold and lithium mines through a job-shadowing system aimed at transferring practical experience to Egyptian professionals.
Participants will be evaluated through applied projects during the training period, with the best projects to be presented at the fifth edition of the Egypt Mining Forum, scheduled for September 2026.
The ministry continues implementing human capacity-building and knowledge-transfer programs in cooperation with leading international universities specializing in mining sciences. Work is underway to activate cooperation programs resulting from the letter of intent signed with Curtin University, the world’s second-largest in this field.
The vision also includes cooperation with the Colorado School of Mines, ranked first globally in the mining sector studies, to benefit from its advanced expertise in management and modern technologies.
