The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), AGVision Mining Limited and KAM Industries Limited came top of the list in a rating of the impact of mining sector industry players on the economy.
The list of ten which was released by TRUTHAFRIQUE Communications, publishers of THE TRUTH Online, include the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Thor Explorations Limited (holding company to which Segilola Gold Project belongs), Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI), Women In Mining Nigeria (WIMIN), Dangote Group and two joint individuals – Geologist Saidu Uba Malami who is Chairman of the Board of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and Dr Sanusi Mohammed, Executive Secretary General of the African Iron and Steel Association (AISA).
Chairman, Special Projects Committee of THE TRUTH, Engr Ben Nwude, a former president of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) discussed the entities that made the list and the achievements that qualified them.
He said ‘in the category of public sector mineral exploration, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) under the Director-General, Dr Garba Abdulrazaq earned the recognition for commitment to global best practices and for working against all odds to generate reliable Geo-sciences Information needed by prospective investors to make informed investment decision in mining.’
According to the Committee, Geo-sciences Information provided by the NGSA is lending the needed support to critical projects of government in the sector that are designed to facilitate economic diversification, stating that one of such efforts is the bitumen exploration project of the Agency which provided the information needed to actualize the Federal Government’s auctioning of bitumen belts in the country.
‘To this end, the NGSA showcased the attractiveness of the sector and triggered healthy competition among global investors for investment in Nigeria’s bitumen deposits,’ it said.
During the period under review, the exploration efforts of the NGSA also provided reliable reserve estimates of some mineral types, thereby laying one of the most important foundations needed to earn global regard for Nigeria’s exploration reports.
The Committee further commended the NGSA for boosting professionalism of staff while ensuring conformity to international standards of mineral reporting, adding that while some government bodies complain of paucity of funds, the NGSA was able to think out of the box by engaging highly experienced professionals to share knowledge on critical matters of global importance ranging from JORC compliance to operating drilling rigs, as well as the ability of the agency to successfully supervise the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP).
‘It is heartwarming that the NGSA continues to pursue JORC – compliant mineral exploration, a development that is already wining global acceptance for the country’s exploration reports, especially the preliminary report of the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project, (NIMEP).’
It is pertinent to observe that JORC-compliant exploration reports have the credibility needed to win the confidence of prospective mining investors and facilitate economic diversification.
In private sector exploration category, AGVision Mining Limited is being honored for its unmatched credentials as the only exploration company in Nigeria that currently offers JORC-compliant reporting, along international caliber geological, geophysical, geochemical and exploratory drilling services, as well the penchant of the company for adherence to international reporting standards.
With more than 500 vehicles, heavy duty plants and mineral exploration drill rigs both Coring and RC, AGVision leverages its established operating expertise in Nigeria with substantial logistical capacity to operate in remote areas, and is deeply rooted in quarry mining and design, hard rock exploration, open pit mining, dewatering and water treatment, drilling, research and analysis and management and logistics in Nigeria.
He commended the Fadi Abou Ghazale-led Management of AGVision Mining for steering the company to enviable status, stating that it has become a leading Mineral Exploration Company with extensive experience in the fields of Geology, Geophysics, and Geoscience.
‘Most importantly, the company lead in exploratory drilling, offering unmatched drilling capabilities with five rigs currently in action across the federation,’ he stated.
In the category of steel sector development, and creation of wealth and jobs along the steel sector value chain, KAM Industries under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kamoru Yusuf won THE TRUTH’s recognition, and is enlisted in the “Top Ten Most Impactful Mining Sector Entities in Nigeria.”
KAM Industries, a successful private sector-led initiative has been able to sustain production of top quality steel products namely nails, binding wire, wire mesh, roofing sheets and stone coating roofing tiles.’
Despite Covid-19 challenges, KAM Industries sustained the jobs it created through the steel sector, and made its positive impact felt on the economy.
The committee said “it is the corporate opinion of THE TRUTH that successive Federal Government administrations have not been able to address the challenges of the Nigerian steel sector, especially the quest for resuscitation of public sector industrial establishments, notably Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCO) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) among others.”
Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) under the Director General, Engr Simon Nkom was recognised for the digitization of Nigeria’s mining cadastre system.
The goal, which makes it easy to apply and obtain mining licenses and permits from anywhere in the world is one of the most important achievements of the Federal Government in the mining sector as it will facilitate the set goal of economic diversification.
The Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) under the Executive Secretary, Hajiya Fatimah Shinkafi is being honored for the ability to engage illegal miners and ensure participatory approach that has led to the production of the first-ever Nigerian gold bar, a milestone that showcases the ability of the sector to contribute to the Nigerian gold economy that is underway.
Thor Explorations Ltd is being honored for its outstanding contribution to economic diversification through its flagship project – the Segilola Gold Project, Osun State. Kadiri said the project has huge impact on Nigeria’s economic diversification quest saying that apart from creating jobs, it will contribute to the establishment of a gold economy for Nigeria, while also significantly impacting global gold economy.
According to the Committee, Segilola Gold Project has become a major source of pride for Nigeria, adding that the successful exploration and development of gold resources through the private sector led initiative has dignified the Nigerian mining sector, and shown that through courage, resilience and visionary leadership, the country’s solid mineral resources can be harnessed to combat poverty at local and global levels.
The Committee quoted the President of Thor Explorations Limited, Mr. Segun Lawson as saying that the Canadian mineral exploration company ‘engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso.’
Thor holds a 100% interest in the Segilola Gold Project located in Osun State of Nigeria, he said, adding that mining and production commenced at Segilola in 2021. He further noted that Thor holds a 70% interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “THX”.
In the category of gemstones faceting and development, THE TRUTH recognizes the efforts of Piramen/Emotan Global Ventures Limited to combat revenue losses that arises from export of unprocessed solid minerals.
The company set out to end export of unprocessed gemstones by establishing a precious stones processing in Nigeria where locally sourced gemstones are polished, carved and tumbled to add value to them before export.
Apart from creating jobs, the organization is a private sector-led response to the quest for a globally accepted homegrown strategy needed to address the worrisome trend in revenue losses, especially that the country is estimated to have lost seventeen billion Naira to illegal mineral export in 2021.
THE TRUTH recognizes Women In Mining (WIMIN), a non governmental organization for triggering women participation in mining business through the successful execution of challenging and painstaking action-plans in the country.
President, Women In Mining Nigeria (WIMIN), Engr Janet Adeyemi (fnse), Executive Secretary/CEO, Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development (as he then was), Dr Uchechukwu Ogah and other women of prominence during a sensitisation program for school girls to commemorate Year 2022 International Women Day, in Abuja.
More than any other non governmental organization in the country, WIMIN, under the leadership of Engr Janet Adeyemi exerted enormous energy in its advocacy for women inclusion in government’s mining policies, as well as championed the advocacy to empower women with knowledge and resources needed for trades in mining.
WIMIN vigorously embarked on knowledge sharing programs it convened in States of the Federation as well as via sustained monthly online lecture series that focused on low income investment opportunities in mining sector, among other topical issues of women empowerment.
Mr. Uba Saidu Malami (Right) and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite
Geol. Uba Saidu Malami – Geologist/Mineral development ideologist.
Two individuals that made the list are Geologist Uba Saidu Malami who is Chairman of the SMDF for his sound ideology on the development of solid minerals; and Dr Sanusi Mohammed, Secretary General of the African Iron and Steel Association (AISA) for his objectivity in the quest for the industrialization of Nigeria through advocacy for the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCO) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, Kogi State.
Dr. Mohammed, who is the Executive Secretary General of AISA is popularly regarded as the most vocal man in the advocacy for the industrialization of Nigeria. He was General Manager and Chief Executive of Jos Steel Rolling Company, acquired profound cognate Scientific and Engineering experience which was why the Federal Government of Nigeria nominated him to the post of Executive Secretary General of the African Iron and Steel Association (AISA).
The organization also honored Dangote Group for creating jobs through development of Nigeria’s limestone resource and value-chain.
