Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, advocates for moving beyond mineral extraction to enhance local value addition and processing at the Annual Mining Week. He outlined government initiatives including new processing plants and security measures against illegal mining to promote economic growth and job creation in the sector.
At the ninth Annual Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, emphasized the need for the country to move beyond mere extraction of minerals to fully harness the sector’s potential. He highlighted that with Nigeria’s wealth of 44 minerals, including critical minerals for energy transitions, the focus must shift to local value addition and processing. Alake asserted that the government aims to transform the country’s mineral wealth into industrial strength that creates jobs and nurtures local businesses. He noted the recent inauguration of lithium processing plants in Nasarawa State and the establishment of more facilities near the Federal Capital Territory as part of this strategy. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to implementing a policy that ensures mineral resources are processed locally and do not leave Nigeria in their raw form. Alake discussed plans to enhance the security of these resources while tackling illegal mining. The Mining Week serves as a venue for fostering partnerships, promoting innovation, and discussing future challenges and opportunities in mining. The overarching theme centres on building a sustainable mining sector to underpin national growth and prosperity, according to stakeholders present, including representatives from the Miners Association of Nigeria and PwC.
Nigeria’s mining sector is rich in potential, with 44 identified minerals. However, the country has primarily focused on extraction rather than processing and added value, which is crucial for economic growth. The Nigerian government is taking steps to reposition this sector to enhance its contribution to the GDP and create jobs, especially in light of global shifts towards sustainable energy solutions. The government’s new initiatives highlight a commitment to local processing and securing mineral resources.
Dr. Dele Alake’s statements at the Annual Nigeria Mining Week underline a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s mining strategy from simply extracting minerals to implementing local value addition and processing. By reinforcing security measures and promoting partnerships with various stakeholders, the government aims to enhance the mining sector’s contribution to the economy, ensuring that the benefits are realised domestically.
Original Source: nannews.ng