Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to combat illegal mining operations within the country due to the growing global demand for lithium, a crucial mineral widely used in electric vehicle batteries, smartphones, and energy systems. Recent months have witnessed numerous arrests and seizures of illegally mined lithium, demonstrating the government’s resolve to regulate the mining industry and ensure that Nigeria fully benefits from its mineral resources.
The increasing demand for lithium, tin, and other minerals is primarily being driven by the transition to clean energy, which involves a shift from traditional energy sources such as coal, oil, and gas to renewable energy and battery technologies. This surge in demand for lithium has led to a rise in illegal mining activities in Nigeria’s burgeoning mining industry. Corrupt practices among regulatory officials and the remote locations of mineral deposits have contributed to the prevalence of illicit mining operations, as well as providing financial support to armed militia groups in the northern regions of the country.
In response to these challenges, a joint force comprising soldiers and police conducted a thorough raid on a remote market in Kishi, located in the southwestern Oyo State. This operation, lasting three days, resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, local workers, and mineral traders. Significantly, substantial quantities of lithium were seized during the raid, highlighting the extent of illegal mining activities in the region.
The prevalence of illegal mining in Nigeria, particularly involving Chinese nationals, has raised significant concerns, particularly regarding environmental degradation, exploitation of vulnerable workers, and contributions to funding armed groups. President Bola Tinubu has consistently attributed the deteriorating conflicts in the country’s northern areas to illegal mining activities and has called on the international community to support efforts to address this urgent issue.
Nigeria’s emergence as a new source of lithium within Africa is further exacerbating the challenges associated with illegal mining. The country’s extractive sector faces structural challenges, with widespread illegal activities depriving the government of significant revenues. Compounded by the adverse effects of conflict and climate change, such as rapid desertification and the subsequent displacement of communities, Nigeria’s mining sites have become attractive to a vulnerable workforce driven by sheer necessity.
To combat the illicit extraction of resources, Nigeria has established a 2,200-strong “corps of mining marshals” and is actively pursuing legal action against those involved in illegal mining activities. Recent convictions of Chinese nationals for involvement in illegal mining operations and the seizure of illicitly mined lithium underscore the government’s commitment to addressing this complex issue. Furthermore, efforts are being made to encourage artisanal miners in specific communities to form cooperatives and operate within the confines of the law, with the aim of formalizing and regulating artisanal mining practices.
Nigeria’s crackdown on illegal mining amid the increasing demand for lithium demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring ethical and sustainable practices within its mining sector. The intersection of environmental, social, and economic factors necessitates a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by illicit mining, both for the prosperity of Nigeria’s mining industry and the well-being of its communities.