Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake has proposed a programme enabling Nigerian mining professionals to study modern mining technology and practices in Western Australia with the government’s support.
He made the request to Hon. Bill Johnston, the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations of the government of Western Australia, during a courtesy visit.
Alake, who led the Nigerian delegation to the 21st Africa Down Under Mining Conference held in Perth, Australia, acknowledged the progress achieved by the government of Australia in mineral development.
Alake said that Australia had acquired a lot of knowledge and skills in developing its modern mining industry, adding that Nigerians would benefit from training, study trips and exchanges of mineral professionals in its current effort to transform the sector.
Alake said the government had launched a roadmap to attract foreign direct investment by investing in big data on minerals and the quantum of their deposits, forming a solid minerals corporation and joint venture agreements with multinationals in mining to enable the sector to compete globally.
He informed the minister that Nigeria has vast deposits of precious minerals, including lithium, gold, coal, lead, zinc, baryte and iron ore.
In response, Hon.Johnston appreciated the courtesy visit of the Minister of Solid Minerals and his delegation.
He said that the government of Western Australia would support the transfer of knowledge and skills to mining professionals from Nigeria and sponsor mining experts to visit Nigeria to impart knowledge.
He urged Alake to make a formal request as soon as possible so both could work together to realise the goal.
He promised to mobilise the public and private sectors to support the initiative, as many companies are willing to explore opportunities for developing the mining sector in Africa.
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