UMaT holds Student Hackathon geared towards solving geological and mining challenges of Anglogold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine.

The University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) has showcased the creative brilliance of its student innovators during the much-anticipated UMaT Student Hackathon, a flagship feature of the university’s Innovation and Career Fair.

Held annually, the hackathon provides a vibrant platform for students to apply their problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical skills to real-world challenges. By leveraging artificial intelligence and information technology, participants were encouraged to design impactful solutions that address pressing societal and industrial issues.

In past editions, student teams have tackled challenges such as enhancing the efficiency of academic departments, managing natural disasters, and combating the adverse effects of fall armyworm infestations on agriculture.

This year, the spotlight was on geology and mining operational challenges at the AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine; a key partner and sponsor of the fair’s ninth edition.

The hackathon was structured as an intensive, time-bound competition, where student teams are “quarantined” together to brainstorm, prototype, and pitch their solutions. Participants are drawn from diverse academic backgrounds, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Judging was based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including: Innovation, Usability, Scalability, Social, Impact, and Technical Proficiency.

At the climax of the event, student teams presented their final projects to a panel of experts from UMaT’s Mining Engineering and Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering departments, alongside representatives from AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine.

The most promising ideas are expected to be developed further into practical applications in collaboration with the Mine, to enhance operational efficiency and safety.

The UMaT Student Hackathon continues to inspire innovation and nurture the next generation of tech-driven problem solvers, demonstrating the university’s commitment to merging academic excellence with real-world impact.