By Martha Agas
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, says he has received threats over the recent revocation of 1,263 mineral licences for non-payment of annual fees.
Alake stated this at a news conference ahead of the 10th edition of Nigeria’s Mining Week, themed `Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance’ on Friday in Abuja.
He said some operators whose licences were revoked had been threatening international arbitration against him over the action and sponsoring media attacks against reforms in the sector.
The minister said he was not deterred as sanitising the sector was necessary and would naturally attract resistance from some quarters.
According to him, the step was taken to ensure Nigeria obtained commensurate revenue from the sector for national development.
“Some people have had licenses since former President Olusegun Obasanjo regime but have not used it,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has increased its contribution to the nation’s GDP from less than 0.5 per cent 10 years ago to about 4.65 per cent, with higher growth projected in the coming years.
He said the progress reflected a growing mining sector and rising investment in national development.
“In practical terms, this means more mines in operation, more companies investing and more communities being impacted by mining activity.
“The ideas of strong data, more investment and greater beneficiation that seemed far off are now realities shaping the sector,” he said.
He said the theme of the mining week aligned with Nigeria’s goal to boost revenue by adding value to minerals and tapping opportunities in the energy transition.
Alake said that the mining week had chronicled the sector’s transformation from a largely informal industry into one increasingly driven by structure, innovation, and private investment.
According to him, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the ministry has pursued reforms to improve transparency, de-risk the sector and unlock value across the mineral value chain.
He said Nigeria was being positioned to compete globally and be recognised as a choice mining investment destination, leveraging its vast mineral endowment, improving regulatory environment and commitment to sustainable development.
According to him, about 100 exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge mining technologies at the Mining Week, while more than 3,500 delegates and participants from within and outside Nigeria will attend.
He said several international mining delegations from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East were participating in the event, reflecting growing global interest in Nigeria’s mineral potential.
“Together through collaborative efforts, innovation and steadfast commitment, we will reposition Nigeria as a major force in the global mining landscape,” he said.
On his part, Mr Dele Ayankale, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), said the 10th edition of the Mining Week marks a decade of impact, innovation, and collaboration in the solid minerals sector.
He said the platform had remained a catalyst for dialogue, reform and innovation, bridging the gap between policy and practice, operators and investors, and ideas and implementation.
According to him, Nigeria has witnessed significant strides in exploration, artisanal mining formalisation, investment inflows and the adoption of modern technologies to drive sustainability.
“Minerals such as gold, limestone, barite, lithium and bitumen have gained renewed attention, and through enhanced collaboration, we are seeing tangible contributions to job creation, community development and economic diversification,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigeria Mining Week, holding from Oct. 13 to Oct. 15, is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the VUKA Group.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
Published By
- Agriculture and Environment Desk Controller/Website Content Manager.
