Nigeria is getting serious about mining! The government is making new rules for foreign mining companies. They have to invest in processing and refining metals like lithium and zinc within Nigeria. The minister of mines, Dele Alake, announced this at a Nigeria Mining Week event in Abuja. He said that companies have to show business plans for ‘value addition’ before they can get licences. This move is all about creating jobs. Alake mentioned that some companies have already started operations in Nigeria. For example, a Chinese company called Ganfeng Lithium Industry is building a lithium processing plant in Nasarawa state. This plant will make batteries for electric vehicles. Nigeria wants to attract more investors to its mining sector. The country is rich in gold, limestone, and zinc, but the mining industry is not as big as it could be. Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer, but it wants to diversify its economy away from oil. The government is also investing in data collection for mining. They’ve spent over 15 billion naira to find out more about the country’s minerals. Nigeria has big plans for mining, and it’s ready to make it happen!
