The 2023 edition of the Nigeria Mining Week will serve as platform to celebrate the achievements of the country’s solid minerals sector and chart the course for progress in various areas including investment promotion, skills development, infrastructure provision and technology transfer.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake who made the disclosure on Wednesday, at a pre-event press briefing to discuss the event, discussed the key objectives for the Nigeria Mining Week saying that it aims to foster an environment where Industry experts, stakeholders, and government officials can exchange ideas and strengthen the concepts of industry best practices.
According to the minister, knowledge sharing will foster innovation and enhance the overall competitiveness of the sector, adding that the administration endeavors to “Unlock Nigeria’s Mining Potential’’ while upholding the tenets of environmental, social and governance standards.
Discussing how the event will promote investment, he said it will highlight the investment opportunities inherent in Nigeria’s mining landscape such as the stable and favorable investment climate created through the Presidential Business Enabling Environment Initiative as well as very attractive incentives provided by the Federal Government.
The minister stated: ‘We therefore invite both local and international investors to explore the vast potentials in the Mining Sector in Nigeria for growth and profitability, contribute to the realization of aspiration of shared benefits of the earth’s resources.’
According to Alake, the mining conference will discuss the importance of sustainable practices in the sector. He said: ‘Sustainability lies at the core of our vision for the mining sector. We will underscore the importance of responsible mining practices that respect our environment, host communities, and cultural heritage, a fundamental aspect of Unlocking Nigeria’s Mining Potential.’
While saying that skills development is vital for regeneration of the sector, the minister assured that stakeholders will be opportune to explore avenues to enhance the skills and capabilities of our workforce, ensuring they meet the demands of a contemporary mining industry.
According to the minster, ‘a well-trained workforce is pivotal for sustainable development and fully realizing the vision of making the ’’Earth Work For Us,’’ adding that stakeholder interactions will also encompass plans to enhance infrastructure in mining regions, facilitating the movement of goods and services and subsequently reducing operational costs for mining companies.
The minister enjoined Nigerians and well-meaning mining industry stakeholders to leverage the numerous incentives provided by the dedicated resolve of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish and strengthen their businesses to support the Mining Industry in Nigeria to substantially contribute to economic diversification of the Nation.
He said the 8th Nigeria Mining Week heralds the overarching policy consistency of Government and provision of requisite infrastructure to grow the mining sector to significantly contribute to the nation’s GDP. The minister stated: ‘This Event avails an ample opportunity for collective action and collaboration between the public and private sectors, civil society, and international partners. Together, we shall work towards unlocking Nigeria’s mining potential, creating a brighter future for our nation and its people.
‘I eagerly anticipate engaging with all of you during the Nigeria Mining Week 2023 and witnessing the positive impacts that our collective endeavors will have on this critical sector.’
On his part, President, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanlake, said the event is compelling for all stakeholders in the country’s mining ecosystem, saying: ‘At no time has our nation witnessed an era of increasing interest in the development of the solid minerals sector such as we are experiencing at the moment, especially since after the discovery of crude oil.’
Ayanleke noted that the period ‘coincides with the coming of the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he said, has envisioned a Renewed Hope Agenda in every aspect of our national life, to birth a nation of our dreams as envisaged by her founding fathers.’
He said among many other compelling factors is the fact that Nigeria has suddenly become a beautiful bride of the world with the discovery, in abundance and fine grades, the critical minerals needed for global energy transition in addition to the global dwindling fortunes of oil as a source of energy and revenue earner.
The miners’ president noted that when this is juxtaposed alongside other factors, the event which is scheduled for Monday 16th October 2023, offers an array of opportunities to every stakeholder group in the Nigeria Project.
