The Nigerian Union of Mine Workers (NUMW), an affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has commended the Federal Government for initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s mining industry, particularly the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF)-EMERGE funding programme for private-sector exploration projects and academic research.
The union also described the Federal Government’s value-addition-to-minerals policy, championed in collaboration with the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), as a “game changer” for the minerals sector across Africa.
It, however, called on the AMSG to develop a continental framework to address workplace safety and improve the welfare of mine workers across the continent.
The union further urged the government and other stakeholders to pay greater attention to the welfare, safety and remuneration of mine workers, stressing that workers must benefit directly from the growth of the sector.
National President of NUMW, Comrade Hamza Muhammad, made the call in Abuja on Friday during a media engagement to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Muhammad commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the Executive Secretary of the SMDF, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, for their efforts to reposition the sector.
He described the SMDF-EMERGE initiative as a significant intervention capable of helping Nigerian-owned mining companies attain the status of world-class conglomerates such as Rio Tinto and BHP, while stimulating the emergence of more companies with the potential of Segilola and Thor Explorations.
“In mining, funding for exploration is key, and we are confident that the SMDF-EMERGE grants will bridge this critical gap,” he said.
Muhammad noted that the absence of adequate mining finance had remained a major challenge in Nigeria for decades. He expressed optimism that the initiative would ultimately benefit mine workers by enabling mining companies to expand, increase their revenues, improve wages and working conditions, and create more employment opportunities.
“Without doubt, the SMDF-EMERGE initiative is a ground-breaking initiative; and it is the first time in our country that the federal government will flag off a mineral sector funding window for the private sector,” he said.
The NUMW president expressed confidence that the initiative would lead to the disbursement of grants to successful private-sector beneficiaries.
He also commended what he described as the transparent and hitch-free application process, saying the union looked forward to the disbursement of the funds.
“As a union, the NUMW is not usually disposed to commending the government, but at this stage, and in view of the hitch-free transparent processes that characterised the application process of the SMDF-EMERGE grant, we wish to commend the FG for the effort and we are confident that the historic day of funds disbursement by government to the private sector is near,” Muhammad said.
The union leader recalled that two previous federal administrations had attempted to provide much-needed financing for early-stage mineral exploration projects but were unable to achieve the desired outcome.
He recalled that in 2012, the then Minister of Mines and Steel Development engaged the Central Bank of Nigeria and convened a meeting with some bank chief executives to persuade commercial banks to finance mineral exploration.
According to him, the banks repeatedly declined to fund solid mineral exploration, citing the sector’s capital-intensive nature, inadequate geoscience data and the long gestation period before investments could generate returns.
Muhammad also recalled that in 2017, the Federal Government collaborated with the Bank of Industry to establish a N5 billion intervention fund. However, he said the fund could not be effectively disbursed because miners were unable to meet the stipulated conditions.
He appealed to the Federal Government to include NUMW in the next phase of beneficiaries, explaining that the union intends to establish a national database of mine workers.
The union also commended the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for its training and education programmes targeted at workers across mining sites.
Muhammad specifically praised safety training, the formalisation of artisanal mining and sensitisation programmes on best mining practices.
He stressed that workers were central to the development of the mining industry and should therefore be considered in subsequent government interventions.
“The SMDF was created to develop the entire mining sector. The workers are at the heart of the mines,” he said.
“We therefore make a passionate appeal to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the Executive Secretary of SMDF and all relevant agencies to remember the workers in subsequent grants, training, equipment support and welfare programmes.”
The union also drew attention to the difficult conditions confronting mine workers in Nigeria and across Africa.
Muhammad said it was unacceptable that mine workers remained vulnerable to unsafe working conditions 66 years after independence, despite the increasing revenues generated from the mining sector.
He recalled the 1949 Iva Valley massacre in Enugu, where 21 coal miners were killed while demanding improved working conditions and workers’ rights.
He also recalled the agitation by tin miners in Jos, Bauchi and other parts of Northern Nigeria, saying Nigerian miners had “paid the price for our freedom with their blood and sweat.”
According to him, the historical contribution of mine workers to national development makes their welfare an issue that deserves greater attention.
“Today, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development announces billions of Naira as revenue generated from the mining sector. That revenue comes directly from the hard labour of mine workers,” he said.
Muhammad called for stronger enforcement of occupational safety standards, improved technical training, modern equipment, decent wages, insurance, compensation and social protection for mine workers.
He also urged workers to take responsibility for their personal safety by using personal protective equipment (PPE) and avoiding dangerous practices, including the open burning of mercury.
“Your health is your wealth. Always use your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), avoid open burning of mercury, and practise safety at all times. No gold or mineral is worth your life,” he said.
The union also expressed condolences to the governments and people of Niger, Taraba, Plateau, Kano, Kogi, Kwara and Zamfara states over recent mining accidents in which workers lost their lives.
Muhammad also condoled with the Etsu Nupe over the deaths of miners in Niger State and prayed for the repose of the victims.
He said the accidents underscored the need for sustained attention to occupational safety and health in the mining industry.
He subsequently directed state chairmen and branch executives of NUMW to intensify safety education among mine workers.
“The labour of mine workers built this nation. It is time to reward that labour with justice, safety and dignity,” Muhammad said.
