The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has invited international investors to leverage Nigeria’s advanced digital platforms to explore the country’s vast mineral wealth.
He also outlined plans to enhance geological research and integrate findings from public and private entities to bolster Nigeria’s data infrastructure.
In a statement from Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser to the Minister, Alake’s remarks were highlighted during his address to top executives of global mining firms at the ongoing Mines & Money Conference in Islington, UK.
Alake emphasized that Nigeria’s adoption of digital technology is revolutionizing mineral exploration, simplifying business inquiries, and ensuring transparency in transactions.
He introduced three key platforms designed to facilitate investor access: the Nigerian Mineral Decision Support System (NMRDSS), Electronic Mining Cadastral (EMC+), and the National Geo-Data Centre.
Describing the NMRDSS, Alake explained it as a comprehensive web tool offering read-only access to essential geo-scientific and geo-economic data.
“By providing publicly available data about the geology and mineral wealth of Nigeria, this dynamic resource, updated regularly to keep the data as current as possible, enables investors to explore the environment of their chosen mineral occurrences. It answers queries on hydrology, demography, geography, urban planning, and transportation,” he stated.
Alake further elaborated on EMC+, calling it a real-time, online system for managing mineral titles throughout their lifecycle. He noted that the platform enhances efficiency and transparency, enabling investors to handle title applications remotely.
“This means investors can research and plan their application for titles remotely, as long as they have the necessary data for the application process,” he added.
The minister assured stakeholders of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding geological data collection to enhance these platforms.
He also praised African geoscientists for developing a new coding system to certify research, underlining the importance of ensuring data quality.
Alake underscored the importance of value addition in the mining sector’s downstream processes, revealing that recent exploration activities have placed Nigeria in a strategic position to supply critical minerals globally.
“The deliberate investment in accurate geoscientific data, particularly for critical minerals such as lithium and rare earth minerals, has positioned Nigeria as a key player in the global transition to a green economy. This transition aligns with our commitment to sustainability and our role in the global fight against climate change,” he said.
Calling for collaboration, Alake invited major mining companies to partner with the Nigerian government in diversifying the economy through the solid minerals sector.
“The future of Nigeria’s solid minerals is brimming with promise… Our doors are open to partnerships, and we invite you to join us on this transformative journey,” he urged.
Executives in attendance included Barrick’s President and CEO Mark Bristow, Traxys’ CEO Mark Kristoff, and Anglo-American’s General Counsel Kate Southwell. Alake also engaged with investors at the Ministry’s exhibition booth, answering queries about mining prospects in Nigeria.
