The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has praised the dedication of stakeholders in the mining industry, assuring that the new Mining Act will maximise economic benefits from the solid minerals sector.
He emphasised that this sector is poised to become a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the near future.
Alake made this statement during a stakeholder meeting organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Mining Policy Dialogue and the amendment of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007. The event took place at the Rock View Hotel, Wuse II, Abuja.
In his address at the workshop, the minister highlighted the shared goals between mine operators, policymakers and the government. He stressed the need to deliberate and review the Nigerian Mining Act of 2007 to fully harness the economic potential of the solid minerals sector.
“You and we in the Ministry have the same objective, which is to enhance the operating environment of solid minerals in Nigeria to maximise the benefits for everyone—operators, policymakers and the generality of Nigerians,” Alake stated.
The minister further pointed to several initiatives and policies the ministry has implemented over the past year, which have garnered positive responses from Nigerians, international investors, policymakers and observers.
Alake affirmed that the stakeholder meeting to review the mining act is a critical step in repositioning the sector as a pivotal element of the Nigerian economy.
“I want to appeal to everyone to keep up the momentum and continue achieving success in your various individual and corporate endeavors. At the end of the day, we all hope to emerge with a new Nigerian Mining Act that considers the interests of all sectors—operators, companies, policymakers and, of course, the general Nigerian population,” Alake remarked.
In a statement by the ministry’s head of information and public relations, Alaba Balogun it was noted that during the workshop, the permanent secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe emphasised the importance of providing actionable solutions to enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s mining sector.
“We are here not just to discuss challenges but to find actionable solutions that will enhance the competitiveness of our mining sector, promote transparency, ensure environmental sustainability and ultimately improve the livelihoods of all Nigerians,” Ogbe stated.
This engagement marks a significant step toward creating a more robust and competitive mining industry, with the new Mining Act expected to address key challenges and unlock the sector’s full potential.
