Businessday media limited is hosting key stakeholders in the Nigeria solid minerals sector to a conference in Abuja today.
The event, scheduled at the Grand Ballroom, Hawthorn suites by Wyndham, No. 1, Uke Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, will draw high-profile stakeholders and experts, including Dele Alake, minister of Solid Minerals Development, who will be the special guest of honour/ Keynote speaker and Abdullahi Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State and Lamin Barrow, director general, African Development Bank, Nigeria Country Department.
Other notable speakers are Charles Anosike, director general/CEO, Nigerian Meteorological Agency & Permanent Representative of Nigeria with WMO; Amina Sijuwade from Advocaat Law Practice; Malami Uba Sai’du, president, Geological Society of Nigeria; Bose Owolabi, Managing Director, Dukia Gold; Lumun Amanda Feese, Mining Industry Strategy & Governance Expert; Mary A. Ogbe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Augustine Menegbo, Country Manager, Segilola Resources Operating Limited, and
Kayode Falasinnu, CEO, Ava Capital.
Themed, ‘Digging Deeper: Navigating Sustainable Mining for Economic Development,’ the conference aims to address the challenges hindering Nigeria’s mining industry and explore opportunities for economic growth.
Globally, the demand for solid minerals has surged due to rapid urbanization,
infrastructural development, and industrialization, presenting Nigeria with a pivotal opportunity for economic diversification and growth.
However, the underdevelopment of Nigeria’s mining industry has hindered Nigeria from taking maximum advantage of its natural reserve of solid minerals. This underdevelopment can be largely attributed to developmental, technical, operational, and financing challenges. Also embedded in these challenges
is the inherent need to adopt sustainable approaches to the operations of the mining sector.
Thus, the Conference provides an integrated platform for ongoing dialogue on maximizing opportunities in the mining sector to facilitate greater economic development in Nigeria.
It’s objectives encompass unlocking Nigeria’s mining sector, addressing environmental responsibilities, exploring financing options, and promoting value addition.
Discussions will delve into operationalization, regulatory challenges, and solutions for sustainable mining practices.
Keynote speaker, Alake is set to share insights into the government’s vision for mining solid minerals, outlining policy initiatives, regulatory measures, and low-hanging fruits to accelerate sector development.
Anticipated outcomes include a deeper understanding of mining opportunities in Nigeria, encouragement for sector diversification, innovative financing alternatives, and solutions to longstanding sector issues.
The conference also aims to identify avenues for foreign investment, foster partnerships between stakeholders, promote advanced technologies for responsible mining, and enhance regulatory frameworks supporting sustainability.
The conference further aims to foster a comprehensive conversation on sustainable mining practices and responsible resource utilization in Nigeria.
The conference represents a pivotal moment for the nation’s mining sector, aligning with the global demand for solid minerals and presenting a crucial opportunity for economic diversification and growth.
The sponsors for the conference include Dukia Gold, Segilola Resources Operating Limted ADVOCAAT Law Practice, while OlaniwunAjayi & Partners and NiMet are the technical partners for the conference.
