SOLID MINERALS: FG eyes investment from 93 countries

The resolve of the Federal Government to develop the solid minerals sector may soon yield fruits, as there are indications the latest efforts will attract investors from about 93 countries.

This came to light as the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development said it is in talks with over 93 countries through the International Mining And Resources Conference, IMARC.

The Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Abubakar Bwari is currently at the 16th Mines and Money Conference in London, where the talks are taking place, according to a statement issued by the Personal Assistant to the Minister of State Mines and Steel Development, Ishaku Kigbu.

According to the statement, the Global Head of Mining Sales for IMARC, Mike Hill, said they are in talks with Bwari on how Nigeria will expand its brands of solid minerals to the world and also help the country key into IMARC’s investment moves with its platform which has larger conferences with 93 countries as participants.

He said: “The conference is broader with huge exposure ideal for the kind of mileage Nigeria desires for robust networking with big players within the mining industry.”

The Minister said the talks are on the heels of the desire of government to broaden the investment capacity of half a dozen strategic minerals available in Nigeria through the instrumentality of the IMARC.

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Bwari, who hosted the delegation from IMARC at the Nigerian Meeting Room inside the Business Centre, venue of the ongoing Mines and Money Conference, said the talks were imperative based on policies to diversify the economy by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration through the solid minerals sector.

The minister further explained that Nigeria had to do everything to leverage on the conference with the aim of enlarging the country’s “frontiers in the area of wooing investors to the solid minerals sector.”

“We are looking forward to using this conference to leverage on the various potentials and investment possibilities that abound in Nigeria. Our level of mining will determine where investors and promoters can come in.

“As you know the government of Nigeria is committed to the diversification of the economy through the solid minerals. The renewed vigour is aimed at trying to change from over reliance on oil and gas to making Nigeria a mining destination.

“In doing this we are ready to partner with interests, conferences and international firms that will address issues that could help reposition Nigeria on the world’s mining map.”

Acknowledging the years of neglect the solid minerals sector has suffered in the past, Bwari said: “Nigeria was first known as a mining nation before the advent of oil. Since oil was discovered attention shifted from mining which explains the reasons we use conferences like this to network with those in the sector internationally.”

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