Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mary Ogbe, said on Wednesday that the Nigerian government is committed to harnessing the country’s mineral wealth and diverse investment prospects that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development.
Ms Ogbe revealed this at the pre-press briefing for the eighth annual Nigerian Mining Week in Abuja.
She said exploring potential investment opportunities within Nigeria’s mining ecosystem; The government is committed to creating a conducive business environment that showcases the diverse investment prospects available in Nigeria.
“We are pleased to announce the eighth edition of the Nigerian Mining Week, scheduled for October 16-18, 2023, at the Abuja International Conference Center, under the theme “Capitalizing Nigeria’s Critical Mineral Resources for the economic growth”.
“This event promises to be an important platform for key mining industry stakeholders to come together and discuss the critical role Nigeria’s critical mineral resources play in fostering economic growth and sustainable development,” said Ms Ogbe. .
He explained that Nigeria Mining Week serves as a unique platform that brings together government officials, mining companies, investors, technology providers and various stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions, share knowledge and collaborate to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s mining industry.
“With a rich history of mineral resources, Nigeria is poised to harness its mineral wealth for sustainable economic growth and development,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that Nigerian mining will provide ample networking opportunities, fostering connections between industry players, government representatives and service providers.
“This interaction is vital for collaborations that can drive the growth process of the sector,” he added.
He said that renowned international and local experts will share their insights on the latest trends, technologies and best practices in the mining industry.
“Sessions will cover topics ranging from exploration and production to sustainability and responsible mining practices with a particular focus on global energy transition trends.
“We are proud to collaborate with our partners, namely the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and the Vuka Group, who have shown a great commitment to make the objectives of this great event a reality.
“We sincerely hope that Nigeria Mining Week 2023 will be an event that evolves in value creation, encapsulating significant attributes that would lead to economic growth and sustainable development,” he said.
In his speech, the president of the Nigerian Miners’ Association, Dele Ayanleke, noted that the communiqué emanating from the different editions of this annual event had been an important ingredient for political decisions that changed sector narratives and gradually shaped the mining landscape. Nigerian.
“And as Nigeria is a destination for the enormous deposit of minerals required for this transition, it is imperative that stakeholders come together to offer ideas to our legislators on ways to programmatically convert our resources into great economic growth and development by accelerating the process. of the industrial revolution, taking advantage of the mineral guarantees of the nation”, he said.
Also speaking, Samukelo Madlabane, Events Director (Mining Portfolio), vuka group, said Nigerian Mining Week stands as a beacon of progress serving as a compass guiding Nigeria to realize the full potential of its abundant mineral resources and the limitless opportunities within its mining industry.
He said Nigeria’s vast mineral endowment puts it on the precipice of international investment prominence.
“The prospect of unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s mining sector is nothing short of transformative. Beyond mere economic diversification, this effort promises to stimulate the creation of new infrastructure projects and contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), “said Madlabane.
According to him, the strategic shift towards mineral beneficiation and reduction of raw material exports heralds a new era for Nigeria.
“Nigeria Mining Weeks serves as a cornerstone for building a sustainable mining industry and realizing shared mining prosperity. By taking the right steps, we can forge a future where the benefits of your mineral wealth are harnessed for the good of all your citizens.
“An exciting development on the horizon is the discovery of battery metals within Nigeria’s borders. These findings give Nigeria a competitive advantage in the global market for battery metals, an invaluable advantage as the world turns towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future,” he said.
For his part, Habeeb Jaiyeola, Head of Mining Sector at PriceWaterhouseCooper Nigeria, represented by PwC’s Chuma Amazigo, noted that the mining sector remains one of the key sectors that would contribute significantly to the current administration’s diversification agenda and the need to move nigeria. towards an economy not dependent on oil.
“We are pleased that the government is taking the mining sector seriously and we are excited about the prospects and opportunities that the sector offers.
“We call on all local and international stakeholders in the mining ecosystem to join us for Nigerian mining week to continue discussions on the progress of the Nigerian mining sector and build a formidable sector that will be liked by all. stakeholders,” he said.
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