Recently, four Chinese nationals were arrested for suspected illegal activities in Nassarawa State, North Central Nigeria. Standing with heads bowed and hands behind their backs, the four Chinese nationals admitted that they were mining minerals in Nigeria without the required licenses.
According to the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onojah, the illegal mining took place at an unauthorised lithium mining site in Karu Local Government Area. Onoja stated that the Mining Marshals, acting under the Mining Act 2007, seized the illegally mined minerals after the suspects ignored invitations for questioning.
Pointing out that the suspects claimed to operate under HOSAN AGRO-ALLIED COMPANY LTD, a registered agro-business firm, Onoja said that the four suspects confessed to mining and selling lithium without the proper license. He added that an application for the forfeiture of the impounded minerals would be made, with proceeds returned to the Nigerian government.
In a similar development, three Chinese nationals and two Nigerian accomplices were also recently arrested at a mining site in Agwada, Kokona Local Government Area also in Nassarawa State for suspected illegal mining activities.
These arrests, along with hundreds of others, underscore the diligence and commitment with which the “new sheriff in town,” Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has brought to bear on his work as he leads a mission to reshape the mining sector and usher in a new era of growth and prosperity.
In just under two years since assuming office, Dr. Alake has achieved what many once deemed impossible—“awakening a slumbering giant.” As the Minister of Mining from Malawi, Monica Chang’anamuno aptly stated at the recent Africa Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, the giant has been asleep for too long, but under Dr. Alake’s leadership, Nigeria’s mining industry is awakening to global attention.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy by GDP according to the World Bank, holds an untapped wealth beneath its soil. Its mineral-rich terrain, spanning 923,768 square kilometers, is home to a wide array of valuable resources. From gold, lithium, barite and limestone to coal, Nigeria’s mineral deposits are a treasure trove waiting to be fully explored and exploited.
With the global spotlight now on Nigeria’s mining sector, the country’s vast potential is being recognised by foreign investors who see an opportunity for both growth and sustainability in an emerging market.
Ground-breaking innovations
Dr. Alake is also bringing other ground-breaking innovations in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. One of these initiatives is the approval of a satellite surveillance system by the Nigerian government, a game-changing technology that promises to revolutionise mining oversight and safety in Nigeria. In collaboration with MikyWay Visuals Limited and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), this N2.5 billion investment is poised to reshape the mining landscape.
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This technology, implemented in phases, will offer an extensive mineral mapping of Nigeria, providing a real-time view of the country’s resources and allowing officials to track mining activities. A key feature of the system is its ability to detect illegal mining operations, empowering the government to act swiftly and decisively.
In addition to monitoring the location and legitimacy of mining activities, the system will also assess the structural integrity of mines, detect environmental hazards, and ensure responsible mining practices.
The system will integrate a nationwide electronic reporting platform that enables miners to report their activities and ensure compliance with tax, royalty, and fee regulations, offering transparency in the sector. This innovative approach not only curbs illegal mining but also enhances safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.
The Mining Marshals
These innovations in the industry, under Dr. Alake’s leadership, have birthed the Mining Marshals—an elite force, drawn from the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with a mandate to combat illegal mining. Since their formation, the Marshals have already made significant strides, evicting over 3,000 illegal miners from gold sites in Kogi State and recovering 98 mining sites across the country.
The Mining Marshals have uncovered 457 illegal mining sites, arrested 327 offenders, and ensured that 143 suspects, including foreigners, face prosecution. Their dedication to protecting Nigeria’s mining industry from exploitation is evident as they traverse the country’s rugged and diverse terrains, maintaining a sense of duty and pride.
New frontiers for development
As Dr. Alake has declared the age of illegal mining in Nigeria is over. Miners are encouraged to form cooperatives, while dormant mining licenses have been revoked to make room for legitimate and sustainable operations.
Beyond enforcement, Dr. Alake is also rethinking how Nigeria engages with its mineral wealth. Efforts in this regard include the launch of the Nigerian Minerals Resource Decision Support software, designed to facilitate investment in the sector. Under his leadership, Nigeria also marked its first commercial gold transaction under the National Gold Purchase Program, further integrating Nigeria into the global gold market and bolstering its foreign reserves by $5 million.
Foreign investors looking for new opportunities need not look further. Nigeria is the next frontier for mining, and with Dr. Alake leading the charge, the “new sheriff” is opening the doors to a new era of growth, transparency, and sustainable development.
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