…says innovations to attract investments

….innovations ‘ll unlock potential of energy, water, other sectors – Prof Olatunji 

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, Tuesday, said conferment with the honorary fellowship by the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society, NMGS,  is a recognition of the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning the mining sector.

Alake stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 60th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society, NMGS, in Abuja.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Mary Ogbe, where he pointed out that the Tinubu-led administration is assiduously working through the Ministry to establish mineral processing hubs to enhance value addition and reduce reliance on raw mineral exports.

Meanwhile, he said the solid minerals sector is to embrace innovations to attract investors and boost productivity to be at par with other countries in the global mining business.

He said: “The mining industry is undergoing a paradigm shift globally, with the adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and automation enhancing exploration, production efficiency, and environmental sustainability. 

“I urge NMGS members and stakeholders to continue advancing research, fostering industry collaborations, and championing policies that will drive the transformation of our mineral, energy, water, and construction sectors.

“In Nigeria, we must embrace these innovations to attract investment, increase productivity, and ensure the responsible extraction of our vast mineral resources.

“The Ministry of Solid Mineral Development has prioritized the deployment of geospatial data and remote sensing technologies for mineral exploration, reducing uncertainties and optimizing investment decisions. 

“Additionally, we are working towards establishing mineral processing hubs to enhance value addition and reduce reliance on raw mineral exports.”

He also acknowledged that there is a nexus between mining, energy, and water resources. 

“The nexus between mining, energy, and water resources cannot be overstated. Sustainable mining practices demand responsible energy consumption and water management. 

“The adoption of renewable energy solutions in mining operations, such as solar and hydroelectric power, will reduce carbon footprints and operational costs, ensuring a greener mining industry.Water is a critical resource in mining and construction. 

“Thus, integrating water conservation technologies and efficient recycling systems will promote environmental stewardship and align with global best practices.”

Meanwhile, he stressed that innovation is highly needed in the construction industry as it utilizes mineral resources seriously.

“The construction industry is a major consumer of solid minerals, relying on materials such as limestone, granite, and gypsum. By harnessing innovative technologies in material science and industrial processing, we can improve the quality and durability of construction materials, enhance infrastructural development, and contribute significantly to economic growth.

“The Ministry is working to strengthen collaborations between mining and construction stakeholders to ensure a sustainable supply chain that prioritizes local content and value addition”, he added.

He (Alake) said the Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for innovation-driven growth in the mining and allied sectors. 

He also highlighted some key initiatives; Strengthening regulatory frameworks; Promoting research and development; Supporting artisanal and small-scale miners; and expanding mineral beneficiation programmes to enhance local industrialization and job creation.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, the President, NMGS, Prof Akinade Olatunji, said it is high time Nigeria deliberately cause a paradigm shift in her minerals sector that breaks the bands of slaving for other rich countries due to poor technology and innovation.

Olatunji said the essence of the theme ‘Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water and Construction sectors through innovations’ is basically to make professionals in the sectors to look inwards and ensure new innovations and technologies are brought on board that will place Nigeria in a position that the world would reckon with her strength in advancing her critical sectors. 

“Every country of the world is now prioritising self over others. This is the reality; you cannot be rendering assistance to outsiders when you have millions of impoverished and vulnerable within your corridor. You cannot be selling what is strategic.

“You cannot be selling what is strategic to your future for peanuts when you have need to grow and industrialise, you cannot become the supplier of what make other develop while you wallow in underdevelopment, you cannot be slaving to make others rich. 

“Nigeria as a nation cannot be a resource endowed nation, yet we can hardly provide sufficient resources to finance our government, we cannot be endowed with the humongous human resources at our disposal and yet we are described by our detractors as the poverty capital of the world, even when there are other nations worst off than us”, he said. 

However, the NMGS boss expressed optimism that with the thought provoking theme of the 60th Annual International Conference on the Society, there will be a serious change in the sectors identified based on the enormous human, mineral and natural resources Nigeria is blessed with.

Meanwhile, in a goodwill message, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule, called for both the public and private sectors to work together to change the narrative in the energy, water and construction sectors.

“What is going to help Nigeria is industrialisation, but together if we stand our grounds we will succeed as we continue to see successes, we must start to work together and not only for us but the future of Nigeria if not we will be in trouble”, Sule stated.