By Nkechi Isaac
As Nigeria prepares for its first in-person Nigeria Mining Week in the COVID-19 era, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite has pencilled senior-level executives, including mining companies ranging from explorers and juniors to mid-tier producers, majors and processors as anticipated participants for the meeting.
Speaking during a press conference today (August 16, 2022) in Abuja, Adegbite said the sixth edition of the mining week, billed to hold from November 1 to 3, 2022, in Abuja will be organised by the Vuka Group and Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC) Nigeria in collaboration with the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN).
According to him, the entire mining value chain will reconnect in-person and explore the many exciting opportunities that the mining sector of this West African bloc offers, showcasing the progress that has been made so far to kick-start the country’s mining sector.
Adegbite posited that the mining week will be designed to promote what is widely regarded as the best next investment destination for mining houses and investors.
He added that the government, particularly, has been putting all its political will and weight behind the promotion of the sector and the event to gather investors, mining houses, thought-leaders and innovators.
“This event forms part of our strides in beating the country’s proverbial mining drum loudly and clearly, by gracing many mining forums around the globe and communicating the message that the Nigerian mining sector is ready for investment and development and the results are speaking for themselves with exciting new projects that are in active development or already up and running.
“Key issues to be discussed would include the critical mineral resources which are the building blocks for many technologies providing us with green renewable energy, ESG global trends, the journey so far on the bankable geoscientific data acquisition and downstream opportunities.
“It may please you to know that Nigeria is one of the epicentres of the next technological change in the mining sector and is well positioned to support supply chain diversification,as well as the security of supply on a global scale.
“Therefore, we are carrying amodel that will enable us to network with colleagues from all around the globe, hear expert analysis, secure deals in private chats and debate the latest opportunities and challenges of the mining industry,” he said.
The minister enjoined key players in the sector to link-up with the ministry on the agenda that would cover the latest industry issues, exhibition floor as well as one-to-one meetings for new partnerships and business opportunities “for three days of partnering, networking and business matching”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki said this year’s edition of the mining week will welcome the entire mining ecosystem, mining companies, operators, investors, as well as governmental representation to discuss the key challenges and solutions surrounding the mining industry.
“Our assertions during this session would address the direction of thought as a nation and the imperatives of a long-term plan for the mineral and metals industry in Nigeria,” he added.
In his remarks, the MAN acting president, Alhaji Musa Muhammad said that this year’s edition aims at promoting the performance of the sector and bringing diversification to the nation’s economy in addition to the oil and gas sector.
He added that a report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the aggregate production of mineral products grew from 64.3 MT in 2020 to 89.5 MT in 2021 which means that the sector has experienced a growth of 39 per cent between 2020 and 2021.
Muhammad said that there would be a focus on the success of the sector, how the ministry and its partners can attract international investment interests and how the community of mining stakeholders can boost the economic benefits of mineral resources in Africa.
