Six Tanzanians graduate in Russian programme to advance sustainable mining

Dar es Salaam. In a major step towards strengthening Africa’s mining sector, six Tanzanians have graduated from a specialised English-language master’s programme in Mining Geology offered by Russia’s Peoples' Friendship University (RUDN University), with support from nuclear energy corporation Rosatom.

The programme, also attended by a Namibian graduate, is part of a broader initiative to equip African professionals with the skills required to modernise and sustainably manage the continent’s abundant mineral resources.

The Namibian student completed part of the course at NUST MISIS before joining the Tanzanian cohort at the graduation ceremony.

The initiative reflects a strategic effort to build technical capacity in countries such as Tanzania and Namibia, where the mining sector holds significant economic potential.

Mining Projects at JSC Uranium One Group, Director, Kirill Egorov-Kirillov, a Rosatom subsidiary, said the graduates are well-positioned to lead change in their home countries.

“These diplomas symbolise more than academic achievement. They represent readiness, capability, and leadership potential in the field of sustainable mining,” he said.

He emphasised that the future of mining in Africa rests not only on technical know-how but also on the commitment of local professionals to responsible resource development.

The partnership between Rosatom and RUDN University is designed to nurture homegrown talent and promote inclusive, long-term growth in Africa’s extractive industries. It includes both academic instruction and practical experience.

As part of their training, the students completed a two-week internship at JSC Dalur in Russia, where they were introduced to In-Situ Recovery (ISR), an environmentally friendly method of extracting uranium from permeable rock formations—techniques applicable to Africa’s sandstone-rich deposits.

Each graduate received a commemorative certificate from Uranium One Group, which is actively developing uranium mining projects in Tanzania and Namibia.

The gesture underscores the programme’s alignment with real industry needs.

Tanzanian graduate, Mr John Mosses, described the ISR training as eye-opening.

“I’m eager to apply this knowledge to promote sustainable development in our mining sector,” he said.

Namibian graduate, Mr Felix Nanda, added: “The hands-on training and exposure to global best practices have been invaluable. I hope more Africans will benefit from similar opportunities.”