By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AHEAD of 9th Edition of the Nigeria Mining Week, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, Wednesday, assured that the Federal Government would use Nigeria’s mineral wealth to propel economic transformation.

Alake who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Mary Ogbe, during a press briefing on the 9th Edition of the Nigeria Mining Week scheduled to take place from the 18th to 20th of November 2024, in Abuja, said the Nigeria Mining Week 2024 is expected to attract leading voices and decision-makers from across the industry, including local and international investors, experts, mining operators, and government officials.

He also said the event would serve as a platform for in-depth deliberation on key issues affecting the mining sector; investment promotion, capacity building, technological advancements, and the importance of a well-structured Community Development Agreement, CDA, showcase Nigeria’s commitment to creating a more investment-friendly environment by enhancing transparency, improving data availability, and reinforcing regulatory clarity.

Over 2,100 participants are expected for the three-day event with over 49 sponsors and exhibitors in 47 conference and workshop sessions, with over 10 Ministers and seven African countries, while 23 countries would be represented from other continents including 10 top countries; Nigeria, China, United States of America, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Turkey, Australia, India, and Ghana.

He said: “As we embark on this 9th edition, it is important to reflect on the tremendous progress made thus far in the sector by the present administration.

“Nigeria is home to some of the most valuable untapped mineral resources in the world, and as we continue to reform and restructure our regulatory frameworks, the focus remains on unlocking the full potential of these resources in ways that align with sustainable development goals.

“The theme for this year’s conference, which we will reveal in the coming weeks, is centered on our shared commitment to utilizing our vast mineral wealth to propel Nigeria’s economic transformation.

“This vision is in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes value addition, job creation, and positioning Nigeria as a strategic player in the global commodities market.

“Our critical minerals, ranging from gold, lithium, and copper to rare earth metals, offer significant opportunities for domestic industrialization and foreign investment, both of which are vital to our national development agenda.”

Also, the National President, Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, ‘Dele Ayanleke who was represented by a Board of Trustees, BoT, Member, MAN, Ibrahim Birma, said, “The annual event has provided an unequal platform for the incubation of ideas enriching sectoral reforms and policy formulation, made possible by crossbreeding policy initiatives of other mining jurisdictions that are always available to share knowledge for global best industry practices.