Nigeria risks future mineral imports, geophysicists warn

Exploration geophysicists have cautioned that Nigeria could face future mineral import dependency if strategic mineral deposits are not deliberately conserved. This warning comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract investment and halt the export of raw ores, aiming to transform the mining sector into a key pillar of economic diversification.

The Nigerian Association of Exploration Geophysicists (NAEG) argues that the push for value addition and increased mining output must be complemented by a national conservation policy. This policy would protect high-grade and strategic mineral deposits for future generations and Nigeria's long-term industrial development. The association presented these views at its 4th Annual International Conference and Training Workshop in Abuja.

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Geophysics is not just an academic pursuit; it is the master key that unlocks our underground wealth, protects our ecosystem, and secures the foundation of our national infrastructure.

Representing the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, a Director at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, Hadiza Godi, described geophysics as a critical tool for uncovering Nigeria's underground wealth and supporting sustainable development. She emphasized that reliable geological and geophysical information is central to the mining reform agenda, reducing uncertainty and attracting investment.

Alake stated that the ministry, through the NGSA, has expanded geological mapping and conducted high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys. These efforts have identified critical minerals for the global energy transition, including lithium, graphite, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements, alongside traditional resources like iron, lead, zinc, and aluminium. The minister highlighted that accurate geoscientific data is the bedrock of mining investment.

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Accurate and reliable geoscientific data is the ultimate bedrock of mining investment.