By Ruth Tene Natsa, Abuja
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has said the sixth edition of the Nigeria Mining Week tagged “Successes and Achievements in the Nigerian Mining Sector”, will explore sustainable investment opportunities in the nation’s mining sector.
He also said the scope of the event will highlight the potential, challenges faced in the mining sector, discuss access to finance for bankable mining projects, and have an overview of the current policy framework for the sustainable development of the solid minerals sector.
“We shall also deliberate on the acquisition of bankable geoscientific data, the efficient and transparent mineral title administration processes, as well as downstream opportunities in the Mining Sector and the Nigerian Mineral value-chain Regulations, 2021,” he said
According to the Minister, the future of minerals is globally recognized as vital for the economic well-being of the world’s major and emerging economies, as they are essential for producing new energies and technologies. These minerals primarily comprise copper, cobalt, lithium, nickel, platinum group minerals, and to a lesser extent, aluminum, chromium, graphite, manganese, rare earth elements, and zinc. Over the next two decades, the mineral demand from electric vehicles and battery storage is predicted to grow astronomically. Thus, the development of these minerals or the lack thereof will determine the economic strength or weakness of a developing nation like Nigeria.
“As earlier mentioned, one of the key issues to be discussed would include the vital mineral resources of the future which are the building blocks for many technologies providing us with green renewable energy, while allowing us to keep in line with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) global standards.
Speaking at the second press briefing on the event, the minister added that the week will also highlight the giant strides of this administration through the mineral sector as one of the cardinal drivers of the diversification agenda.
Adegbite recalled that on the 16th of August 2022, they announced the return of the Nigeria Mining Week Discourse Series in person; which assembles investors, academia, and Mining industry professionals across the entire mineral sector value chain at the Abuja International Conference Centre from 1st – 3rd November, 2022 that would cover latest industry issues, as well as provide a springboard for new partnerships & business opportunities.
He assured of security in Abuja, adding that the country’s entire security agencies have been deployed to ensure that lives and properties are secured.
The Minister who assured that the Buhari administration has been putting all its political will and weight behind the sustainable development of the sector said “As we aim to discuss the common challenges and share our success stories, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria will declare the event open”.